Ten Ways to Stay Uplifted and Connected This Christmas

Record highs in Covid-19 cases, hospitals across Europe overloaded, healthcare workers on their knees and hearts breaking from being torn apart from families during the holidays. Due to circumstances we should not travel, but must find unique ways to stay connected.

Virtual caroling: My daughter a doctor in Minneapolis area will be working over the holidays to help stem the tide, but she figured out a way to connect with her grandparents in Illinois. We are going caroling at their virtual doorstep. We practiced a list of Christmas songs on line; I played my guitar in Switzerland and she sang Silent Night, Drummer Boy, Winter Wonderland and other old favorites.

Phone calls have never been more comforting especially with WhatsApp era where we can see one another’s faces on the screen.

Christmas used to be like this

Read books like The Night Before Christmas, Polar Express and How The Grinch Stole Christmas together on Skype with grandchildren, who are quarantined thousands of miles apart from you.

Set up a zoom call where everyone gathers from their own living room. One friend’s family made the Sunday dinner Zoom call a weekly tradition to keep up on her kids in the Carolinas, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Or set up a family games night.

Write an old fashioned card with your own words or better yet a letter. When was the last time you received a real letter in the mail that could be read and reread and cherished forever?

Put up the Tannenbaum. Through the dreary dark days of winter, we wake up to the twinkle of the white lights on our tree.

Light a candle. Say the name out loud in honor of the memory of everyone you have lost this year. Give a word of thanks for each friend and loved one who remains a part of your life even though you may be separated by distance.

Bake cookies – sugar cookies, gingerbread, spritz. Fill the house with the aroma of warm frosting and melting butter.

Hang outdoor decorations. European villages have always put twinkling lights in the chateaus, town halls and corner cafe windows. This year even individual home owners are stringing outdoor lights in neighborhoods to bring joy during this time of darkness where people are confined to homes.

Hold a baby. My niece and nephew-in-law took Covid tests in order to travel safely from their home in Wisconsin to Illinois to introduce their new baby, Hadley Marie, to her great grandparents. My 86-year-old mom, who recently lost her brother to Covid-19, became teary eyed holding her first great grandchild in the circle of life.

In a year where it is especially difficult to feel gratitude, appreciating the giving spirit of the holidays and understanding the value of kind words, thoughtful gestures and strong connections year round has never been more important.

Like so many others, the pain of being apart at this season is especially acute, but it also reminds me of how lucky I am to be loved and to love so much that it hurts.

In the meantime, I focus on the memories of favorite foods, surprise gifts and special traditions from previous get together and practice my singing fa la la la la la la la until we can be reunited again.

Christmas 2018

Posted in family, inspiration, social view.

10 Comments

  1. Hi Pat! Thank you. Such good suggestions for simple ways to keep the holiday spirit alive in us no matter what malaise we might be experiencing. May we all find ways to connect and celebrate as we await a new (and better!) new year! ~Kathy

    • Thanks Kathy. It was nice to hear from. I appreciate you staying connected. Here’s to 2021. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

  2. Thanks Pat! Great suggestions as we all face this battle together. Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. And here’s to a happy and healthy 2021!

    • Thanks Dave. Yes it is a battle, but keep up the good fight. Hope is just around the corner. Merry Christmas. Stay healthy!

  3. Hi Pat, thanks for the great suggestions! I will do my best! Merry Christmas to you and your family! I am proud to know you!
    “Oma” Renate

  4. Falalalala indeed! I’ve done almost all the things on your list! I’ve also been a bit more generous with Hesed House, Wayside Ministries, even Salvation Army bell ringers! Tis the season to be jolly! Ring tose bells outside for 2 minutes at 6pm (your time zone) on Christmas Eve to share world peace and goodwill toward each other!! Christmas Blessings!

    • Great idea Sheila! And may those Christmas bells reverberate with kindness and goodwill around the world. Happy holidays.

  5. Great suggestions and also we just have to remember that if we hunker down best we can and stay healthy we will hopefully be having extra special celebrations next year at this time. Merry Christmas Pat and Gerald and your entire family.

    • Happy holidays to you dear friend. May we have the freedom to gather together next year. Until then stay cozy and safe.

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