CHEERS TO YOU
Picture this: Me sitting on my balcony with a cup of hot chocolate in my left hand, , the wind is mildly blowing east, and the 38 degree weather is piercing through every exposed pores on my skin. I hear the sound of cars making their way through Prosperity church road and the smooth jazz on my playlist is my reminder that tis the season. This is not a daydream, it’s real. It is my current situation as I write this blog post.
As I reminisce on the past eleven months, I can’t help but to show an attitude of gratitude. If you are reading this you ought to do the same. So many people have lost their lives or a loved one this year. To make it this far into this year is a blessing. One that none of us deserve, but thank God for his tender mercy towards each and everyone of us. It’s inevitable that the holidays will be different this year, to say the least. Many of you are setting up a zoom meeting for christmas, while others are shopping online to avoid coming in contact with others, and some just not in the spirit of holidays at all. Wherever you fit, I’d like to share a few tips with you for the holidays.
As most of you may know, I don’t celebrate the holidays. It’s not that I have something against it, I just wasn’t raised celebrating Christmas. Even with that being the case, I’ve come up with 5 tips on how to make this holiday season one to remember. Here They are:
Send a card or letter: To limit the spread of Covid, it’s been advised that people don’t travel. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t send a card or letter. Aren’t you thankful for companies like UPS, USPS, and FedEx? Write a few letters or send some cards to your family/friends and let them know that you are thinking of them during this time of the year. Although you all cannot be together, you can still touch their hearts and put a smile on their faces with beautiful words.
Shop online: Shopping online is actually not so bad unless the package gets delayed, address is incorrect or the carrier messes up. This method of shopping is encouraged during the holidays to minimize crowds as well as coming in contact with people( for your safety). Honestly, I find myself enjoying online shopping more and more these days because of its convenience.I encourage you to get your shopping done as early as you can just in case one of the three factors listed above takes place. You want to give yourself as much time as possible during this time of year.
Mail gifts: There’s a certain je ne sais quoi that happens when you hand someone a gift and they open it right in front of you. That shared emotion is priceless. We may not experience that same sentiment this year, but we can come close enough. Though we cannot be with our loved ones this christmas, that doesn't mean we cannot warm up their hearts. Once you’ve gotten all the gifts from your online shopping, you can wrap each one and mail them out. Again, just make sure to send it on time and always double check the address to avoid any delays.
Cook together via zoom: If you are like me, this might be a challenge because I like to cook alone with no interruptions. However, I think cooking via zoom with your family can be a long lasting memory. Whether you cook on christmas eve or day, I suggest creating a menu that the whole family would enjoy, pick a time and start cooking. You may choose to eat together or not- the choice is yours.
Plan a short gathering outdoors: Please do not mistake this for a party. I am not suggesting that you throw a big party. I think a small gathering of 10 people in the backyard is manageable. Have a designated area where people can wash their hands, have masks available, and set the chairs at a reasonable distance from each other ( 6 feet apart). To play it safe, I suggest a gathering amongst your immediate family and friends. Just make sure to keep it short.
Safety is still a priority during the holidays. Happy holidays to you and your family! I wish you nothing but all the joy and happiness that this season has to offer. May you find gratitude in the small things. I hope that the tips I’ve shared with you helps even in the smallest/ slightest way. Please don’t forget to comment below and subscribe for more updates.