COVID Christmas Coping Guide: Our Top 10 Tips
The holidays will soon be upon us, however, this year will be a COVID Christmas! It is no secret that the ongoing pandemic has and is taking a toll on many of us. However, just because we need to be safer and more careful, doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate one of the most beautiful holidays when following the recommended guidelines!
Below we have put together our COVID Christmas Coping Guide to help you get into the Christmas spirit and spread some festive cheer (and not COVID)! No matter what it is you are dreaming of this Christmas, we are sure you will find something that helps you get right into the Christmas mood!
We are happy to offer any additional information about the below suggestions and why not kick 2021 off to a fabulous start with a well-deserved stay at one of our beautiful properties after a horrendous year?
For Travel
1. Quarantine Before Travelling
Before heading off to see family or friends for Christmas, if your work allows it, perhaps think about self-quarantining. Doing this will help minimise your exposure to others in the lead up to your time away, with the calming knowledge that you have kept yourself and those you love safe.
This way, you can spend your time together in festive cheer with minimal worries!
2. Get Tested
For even more peace of mind, perhaps think about getting a COVID test. There is nothing better than going into a COVID Christmas knowing you do not have the contagious virus that has caused a worldwide pandemic now is there?
For you, for your friends, and for your family, it might be a good idea to make sure that you are safe to travel and see your loved ones without infecting them over the festive season.
3. Be Safe While Travelling
When driving, minimise your contact with other people at services, petrol stations, and public toilets. Remember to wear your mask when in enclosed spaces or in crowded outdoor areas. Where possible take your private vehicle over sharing public transport at this particular time.
Usually carsharing or using public transport is better as it helps the environment, but during this time, for the sake of others, perhaps car share in your bubble and try to find a balance between helping the environment and helping those around you.
For Arrival
4. Skip Hugs
Olaf likes warm hugs, but he also likes not transmitting viruses and using ‘Good Day’ elbow bumps. It is important to always be thinking of others over this festive season and if that means avoiding the warm greeting hug or belly-full goodbye hug over COVID Christmas, then that might be what has to happen.
There are other ways you can show people you care, perhaps even verbally say ‘air hug’ so other people know that is what you would do if able. Touch elbows, knees and toes, and just keep aware of the personal spaces of others.
5. Separate Personal Items
When friends and family arrive for a COVID Christmas visit, try to separate their outdoor clothing from your own. In the past, you might have piled all coats, hats and scarves on the spare bed and left them until you waddle in, filled up with food to grab them for the drive home.
Whether guests stay for one minute, one hour, or one day, keep outerwear separate on spaced-out hanging pegs or something similar. This way, you minimise the contact or possible transference of the virus.
6. Wash Items Frequently
Yes you might have a strict laundry routine, but you might want to throw in the towel (no pun intended), and instead opt for more frequent laundry cycles over the festive period.
Its might seem extreme, but try to wash items like tablecloths, pillowcases, and blankets straight after they have been used to kill bacteria and avoid transmitting the virus.
For Small But Special
7. Go Further
You know how you take the time for self-care when things becomes stressed? Things like running a bath, watching your favourite film or eating your favourite foods? Why not do something similar this COVID Christmas?
Get some fancy Christmas crackers, create some beautiful place settings, bring in items from the great outdoors to enhance the festive spirit (pinecones, holly, mistletoe) and set them out on surfaces for a fancied-up Christmas setting?
8. Go Eco!
You might have some special Christmas chinawear or cutlery stored away in cupboards, but this year, why not get some biodegradable plates, cutlery, cups, and serving dishes? Using disposable dining-wear during a pandemic is one of the smarter choices you can make, particularly if you have people over.
Biodegradable plates are a great way to look after yourself AND our mother earth. Wipe those horrendous cardboard plates you used at parties as a child and instead take a look at Little Cherry’s stylish palm leaf and organic bamboo tableware! No gaudy patterns, no cheap texture, just chic, simple and strong.
Find out more about Little Cherry’s biodegradable tableware here.
9. Get Outdoors!
Who says that COVID Christmas celebrations have to be held inside? Yes baby it’s cold outside, but why not get dressed up in your winter warmers, grab some sparklers and get that hot mulled wine on the go!
Get the garden all set up with festive cheer and appreciate nature at the coldest time of the year!
...And If You Can't Meet Up...
10. Get Virtual!
Perhaps this year, you can’t see those you love on this COVID Christmas. However, even though you can’t see them in person, there is nothing stopping you from joining in the festivities virtually!
Why not set up skype in the main living or dining room, get dressed up in those Christmas pyjamas and play charades through your screens? This year has proven that technology is a huge benefit that we are all thankful for. Make the most of it this year, and hopefully it won’t be long until we can all hug again.
We hope this list has provided you with a wide variety of options to help make your COVID Christmas during this difficult time more enjoyable!
For more ideas on how to cope with COVID, why not take a look at our Top 10 Tips on Coping with the Lockdown Funk?
Remember we are always on hand to offer any advice, to provide information, or to answer any queries you might have. Just get in touch below, and we will respond to your request as soon as possible!
Safe and festive wishes,
Team Boutique Rooms
