Celebrating a Quarantine Christmas
by Mary Ann Co (10A) | Published December 2020
Christmas, the day Christ was born, is the day when all festive spirits gather for fun, and when all the gifts are packed for certain people in mind. But we're still under quarantine. Of course, this is not as fun as the face-to-face celebration, since we can't see our loved ones' reactions when they open the gifts we give or play fun Christmas games with them. The lives of those dear to us are vulnerable due to the pandemic. We can suffer tiresome, frightening, and downright depressing times, and all we can do is hold on a little longer until the day when the pandemic dies out.
This is the season for giving back, so we have Christmas fundraisers, helping provide money, clothes, and daily needs. It also opens up an opportunity for average people to repay the kindness that others have given them. It is good to be in the habit of giving and being sympathetic, but Christmas isn’t all about giving and receiving presents! It is a time when we have the opportunity to relax, enjoy, and have fun with family and friends.
Perhaps some people were planning a trip to Korea or to the United States, but it's highly difficult for those plans to come to fruition now. Though unfortunate, not all hope is lost! Here are some ways you can still make the year's end memorable:
It is important to spend time together with your family! What better way to bond other than helping set up the Christmas decorations? Not only will it make your bonds stronger, but it can also get you some exercise and get them tabs to go away.
It's not too late to have a great time! There are a lot of fun games you can play, like making your own simple puzzle! Simply take a cardboard box and print the image you want onto it. Now cut the print into pieces, and voila! You now have a game of your own! You can also play games with your family and friends. Board games are a fun way to pass the time with your family, and for friends who are further away. There are also a multitude of online platforms where you can play games. Kahoot, Jackbox Games, or even Skribbl.io are fun ways to pass the time.
If you are not allowed to see some of your relatives this year for pandemic reasons, be sure to send them a gift in the mail to show them that they are in your thoughts. Now more than ever, it's easy to have gifts delivered straight to their doorsteps.
We all must look after our loved ones, so make sure you check in on them from time to time, ask them what their Christmas plans are, start a conversation. Video calls, regular calls, or even just quick text messages will let them know you care!
Finally, stretch out, chillax, grab some popcorn, sip some hot cocoa. It's an excellent combo to have when you're going to watch a movie, whether it's by yourself, or with your family. Extensions such as Netflix Party, or third party sites like Discord or Kast can make it feel like you’re watching a movie together with your family and friends even from the comforts of your own homes.
Though this year’s Christmas celebrations may be incredibly different from the celebrations of past years, there’s no reason not to have a good time this Christmas break. Time spent with family and friends is still time not wasted, and even celebrations at home are still ones worth having.