Simple Ways To Prepare The Kids For A Rather Solemn Holiday Season Amidst Covid-19

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We all can agree that this year has been one crazy year for all of us, everyone had an expectation when we rang in the new year on 1st January, but two months into 2020 we all were hit severely by the global pandemic that struck the globe causing many countries if not all to go under some kind of Lockdown. This trickled down to affect worlds economy and it affected a lot of work institutions, some people had to either be laid off from work or had their various pays slashed into half, if that wasn’t bad enough the prices of food commodities skyrocketed causing the cost of living to become expensive, so much has happened this year from March – August, it is even said that 2020 constituted January – March and then November – December, yes its that crazy, with all these you can tell that as we fast approach the holiday season a lot of things would be affected including the family parties, and everything you usually did in previous years.

Now kids in general might not fully understand all these complexities of life and would be expecting to have all the goodies they usually have in previous years eg, parties, dolls, visiting to the parks with friends, A huge Christmas tree at home decorated with lights and Christmas décor. We feel its time you have some kind of candid conversation with them before we hit the 2nd week of December, they need to understand that all fingers aren’t the same and need to be content with what they get from you as a parent(s) and if there wouldn’t be anything to them this year they deserve every right to also know before hand, but you know its not all that gloomy if in previous years you could go shopping with them to lets say Dubai, or the Mall or it is a family tradition that you organize family parties, because of the many uncertainties and issue of public gatherings lay them bare to the kids you don’t want them to all be moody around the Christmas period and even on that day that is supposed to be merry and have you all joyful.

 

Talk it out

So instead of the usual parties you would normally have had in previous years, do something different this year by using this time to have some heartfelt family bonding at home, we know you did more staying at home pretty much of 2020 but its not the same feeling this holiday season, during the lockdown most of you were all tensed, and making sure you secure your jobs or like some, they worked from home and so with all the back and forth this season should see you have beautiful conversations with your kid(s) and even your spouse. You do not have to break your account to achieve this, just simple conversations over a chilled natural juice and cookies is all you need to have you and the family and jolly Christmas.

 

Focus On What You Can Do

This is self explanatory, but we would explain better, so if typically you had do a buffet lunch or dinner with family, this time cut down on the number of dishes so you can choose to only fix the family with some delicious traditional home-made fufu and soup of your choice, or if you are the rice type go for fried rice and some goat meats which they usually don’t have during the year, you can add some Brazilian earth salad or Australian ceaser salad to add to your dish, give them something that they aren’t accustomed to, your traditional food are plenty depending on where you are coming from so take your kids and the family on some food ride, this would be memorable to them and they would long forget they had no Christmas dress to celebrate this season.

 

Create New Traditions

Think of this year as an opportunity to start new traditions and think creatively. Talk with your children and extended friends and family about new ways to make this holiday season special, and how to stay connected, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Some ideas  include:

Take turns hosting mini holiday celebrations. Spread out your holiday celebrations with several short, online celebrations. For example, one family could host a time to sing holiday songs, another could host a dance party, and another could host a time for storytelling or prayer.

Send each other care packages. Send your favorite holiday treats, special mementoes, or small gifts and open them together over Zoom or Facetime. The packages don’t need to be big or expensive, but are a tangible way to reach out and tell each other we care.

Enjoy some friendly competition. Have your family or kids make holiday treats, and then vote for the best. Or put up holiday decorations outside, so you can drive or walk by, and then cast your votes.

 

So guys we hope this few tips are very helpful, going through them is going to save you lots of stress. This year has been hard. This might be an opportunity to scale down and focus on the parts of the holiday that are most meaningful to you and the kids and the family entirely.