Ever since I was a little girl I was SO EXCITED for Christmas! We have a long list of traditions (read them here!) and it was always the happiest time of year. Ever since I can remember, the holiday season didn’t feel like it was really here until a day in the city full of Christkindlmarket, hot chocolate, Millennium Park, and seeing the Macy’s Christmas tree and windows with the fam. It’s always freezing cold, and we’re all bundled up so much we can hardly move, but it’s what comes to mind first when I think about the holidays—and for the first time, none of it will be happening this year.
In the overall picture, not getting the usual day full of some of my favorite holiday traditions is not a big deal; but still, no matter what your traditions usually are, you’re probably in a similar situation of trying to figure out things you can do to safely celebrate the holidays this year.
For me, half of that battle is mentally letting go of how things should look and making room for new traditions. But 2020 has been a year of change, so different holiday traditions might not be the worst thing. It still is the most magical time of the year!
Here are 10 new traditions you can start this year
1. Watch Freeform’s 25 Day of Christmas movies and Holiday Specials
For all of December, Freeform plays a different Christmas movie every night. Yes I know that we are already 10 days into December, but if you haven’t started, you are not too late!
Some of these are bound to be your go-to favorites, but some are probably going to be ones you’ve never seen before—and since we’re all stuck at home, there’s no reason you shouldn’t watch. Make a habit of stepping away from work every night and watching something that will make you feel the spirit of Christmas all month long. Even if you turn it on while you are cooking dinner to have something festive playing in the background!
2. Master a festive cocktail recipe (or two)
Put down the red wine for a night and mix up a fun Christmas cocktail instead. From boozy takes on egg nog to cranberry-filled cocktails, the opportunities to make your drink of choice a little more festive are endless. Master it now and whip it up for everyone at next year’s festivities.
3. Adopt a family
If you’ve never adopted a family for gift-giving, there are few things that feel quite as good during the holidays. You get assigned a family to bring Christmas cheer to, from providing gifts for children to giving a gift card for groceries. When I was little, we would always pick a family from the angel tree at church, and donate toys or anything. This is the season of giving!
4. Send your loved ones an ornament that reminds you of them
There’s nothing like the joy of going to decorate your tree and getting to look through all of the ornaments you collected throughout the years. It is one of my favorite parts of decorating! We get a new ornament each year and we also get an ornament from every place we travel too!
Add to your friend’s and family’s collections by sending them an ornament that reminds you of them. Did your bestie drink all the red wine they could get their hands on this year? This is perfect for them (and will make them smile when they hang it up for years to come).
5. Go on a drive to look at decorations
This is one tradition that we do every year, so good thing it is still safe to do this this year! It’s the perfect way to feel festive while staying socially-distanced. Load up the car with some hot chocolate, turn up your favorite Christmas songs, and drive around for a night to admire the best decorations. Check out the best places to see lights in Chicago/suburbs here!
6. Plan a cookie exchange
So, you might not be able to see your friends for your usual Secret Santa this year—you can still host a cookie exchange with one another. Set a date for an exchange, pick out your favorite Christmas cookie recipe, and drop off a container of them at everyone on the exchange’s doorstep with a note. It’ll remind you of how much you all care about one another, whether you’re together or not. Then all log into zoom with a Christmas cocktail and catch up and have all the cookies!
7. Matching Christmas PJs
If you haven’t jumped on the trend of having matching Christmas PJs, you are missing out. We have had matching jammies ever since I could remember and now they are everywhere! Since the holidays will be spent at home this year, why not celebrate in matching PJs!?
8. Ice Skating
I am not normally one for iceskating, BUTTTT this might be a new tradition I need to start. You can make reservations online, and of course practice social distancing, but this is a great way to get out of the house safely this holiday season! Bundle up, and grab some hot chocolate after! Fair warning: whoever decides to go ice skating with me, be prepared to catch me when I fall!
9. Make handmade cards
If you are crafty, this is for you! I on the other hand do not have a crafty bone in my body! There’s nothing wrong with store-bought cards, but there’s something about a beautiful homemade card that feels extra special. Round up the supplies to put together your own cards and send them to your loved ones this year—it’s something that’ll bring a little bit of extra joy to anyone who receives one.
10. Make a Christmas playlist and share it with your friends
We all have our favorite Christmas songs (“Mistletoe” by J-Biebs will always be my fav), but listening to someone else’s playlists to remind you of them can be a fun twist on your usual tunes. I usually bust out the Christmas tunes the day after Thanksgiving, and it always puts me in the best mood. Try getting ready to Christmas music while getting ready, or listening to it on your way to work. I guarantee it will put you in the holiday spirit!
Even though Christmas will look different this year, does not mean that you have to skip all of the fun traditions. Adding new traditions is refreshing and will bring us even closer together.
What new traditions will you be doing this year!? Tell me in the comments!
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