Preparing for the holidays is always a busy time of year. Shopping for gifts. Decorating the house. Attending holiday parties. With the current restrictions in place and, the fact that things can change in an instant, we all face a holiday season that will be quite different from prior years. Planning ahead will help families set expectations for the upcoming season.
I think the biggest question that a lot of families will face this year for the holidays is … Whether or not to travel … and how that decision will impact you and your family. The holidays have always been about spending time with family and friends especially those family members that you may not be able to see on a regular basis. Due to travel restrictions and quarantine guidelines, travel may not be feasible for some. So, planning and preparation are going to be more important than ever to try and make the most out of our new reality.
If your family is one that typically travels during the holiday to see extended family, whether locally or long-distance, I recommend having a conversation early to assess the risk and manage family expectations. If you decide you’re not going to travel, then you have to figure out how the decision to stay home this year is going to change your normal routine.
One aspect to consider is your holiday dinner. If you plan on cooking, figure out what dishes you want to make and purchase all non-perishable items ahead of time. Planning may allow you to take advantage of sales at your grocery stores and avoid items being sold out. Make a list for all the perishables so, when it’s time to hit the store for the last-minute items, you’re set and ready to go.
If you’re not one for cooking, you may choose to dine out for the holiday. Many states still have restrictions for restaurants. Therefore, I suggest calling the restaurant you want to eat at and ask them about reservations for the holidays or any restrictions they may have in place for dining. For example, you want to have 8 members of your family eat together but the restaurant can’t seat more than 6 people at each table. Know these things beforehand to avoid any frustrations or disappointments once you arrive at the restaurant.
Another aspect that will be impacted is gifts. For those who will be ordering gifts online, order early to ensure you get them on time. Delivery services are already experiencing extended delivery schedules. Recently, I had multiple deliveries get the delivery dates pushed back after the shipping process began. I also had a package get completely lost in the system. Calling customer service to understand what happened to my delivery was fruitless! I say all this to let you know, if you plan to buy gifts online, you need to do that as early as possible.
If you’re not traveling to see family this year and need to ship gifts to family, then you need additional time to get the gift, wrap it and then ship it to your family members. You may also want to check the retail website and see if they offer gift wrapping services. There is usually a fee for such service. However, it may be worth the money to have them wrap the gift and ship it directly to your family member to cut down on your shipping and delivery needs.
For those who plan to have gatherings at their homes, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to pull this off safely. If you’re lucky enough to live in a mild climate, you may choose to host a small gathering outdoors either at your house or at a local park if permitted.
Another option is to have a virtual party. I know it’s not the same as being there in person with your loved ones. But at least you get to experience the holiday with them in some way. It may be the safest way for some grandparents to see their grandkids on the holiday. You can also use the time to open gifts. This would take pre-planning to gather any gifts that had been shipped or to take time to drop off gifts on your family’s doorstep if they live locally.
If your family is nearby, you may choose to do a gift hunt (think Easter egg hunt but with Christmas gifts). You can hide the gifts in your family’s yard and then watch them come out and find their gifts from a safe distance. Then they can do the same at your house.
Let’s be honest, this holiday season is going to be different and it may be difficult for some. But there are steps we can take ahead of time to try and connect with loved ones even if we can’t be with them in person. And it may be helpful to have a Plan B just in case Plan A goes bust!
Keep up to date on the CDC Guidelines for the Holidays to guide your decision-making process.
Karen Kabara
Your Tasks – Our Time. Inc
