Guest Column

‘Tis the season for new holiday traditions

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This holiday season will look and feel very different for all of us. Your traditional ways of celebrating and reconnecting with friends and family may not be an option this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is the ideal opportunity to rethink your favorite holiday traditions in ways that are safe and fun.

Here are a few ideas to assist with your holiday event planning:

Take advantage of the outdoors. Northeast Florida’s mild temperatures are perfect for hosting an outdoor gathering this Thanksgiving! While traveling to see your out-of-town friends and family may be out of the question, this is a great way to bring an intimate group of friends or family members together for a special dinner or gathering. Traditionally, Shearwater hosts a large Friendsgiving Potluck for residents to enjoy with their families and neighbors. However, due to the pandemic, we hosted an outside event with food trucks instead. Utilize longer tables to space your guests at least six feet apart. Organize your guests in small groups or by household where they can converse and connect.

Embrace new traditions. If you’re finding yourself unable to recreate your usual traditions this holiday season, take some time to think about what really made those traditions special. Tailor your new traditions in ways that are safe for you, your friends and family members. Like many of you, Shearwater got a small taste of this for Halloween, and we quickly pivoted to provide a drive-through haunted house and pumpkin patch grab n’ go instead of traditional trick-or-treating. New Thanksgiving traditions could include testing new recipes, personally serving dinner instead of the annual potluck, or visiting local attractions such as St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights, instead of going out of town.

Host a Christmas movie night on the lawn. After your Thanksgiving meal, what better way to get in the holiday spirit than watching your favorite Christmas movie in your backyard using a projector? Projectors of all shapes and sizes are available online. Outdoor movies are the perfect way to engage a small group of friends or family! Create individual snack bags and pre-made beverages for your guests to enjoy.

Try a virtual celebration. While it will never be the same as in-person, virtual Thanksgivings are going to be a big hit this year. Technology like Zoom and Microsoft Teams is already second nature for school and work; why not the holidays? Engage with your guests by creating fun games and scavenger hunts to play online.

Give back to the community. Need some extra cheer? Scientists believe that altruistic behavior like charity work releases endorphins in the brain, producing a positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.” Donate food items or your time to local food banks this holiday season, as many families have been affected by the pandemic this year and are in need of supplies and food this holiday season. Spending the holiday at home with your family is a great time to foster an animal from a local shelter or clean out closets to donate to women or homeless shelters.

Talk to your family about how to adjust your favorite traditions to stay safe and enjoy this extra time at home. Happy Thanksgiving!

Author Remy Pugh is lifestyle director at Shearwater, a master-planned community in northern St. Johns County.