How to Keep the Holiday Spirit During COVID-19

With Christmas behind us and New Year’s shortly ahead, we are still in the season of celebration! However, this holiday season has looked much different for many of us, with celebrations and gatherings being limited or not taking place. That doesn’t mean that the holiday spirit has to end with Christmas! We’ve put together a list of ways for you and your loved ones to keep holiday spirits high despite the difficult circumstances many have had to endure in 2020.

Support Local Organizations

This holiday season is a time to share your holiday spirit with those around you. Local businesses have been hit hard during this pandemic and a great way to show your gratitude is by supporting your favorites and enjoying the things you love! Additionally, if you decided to wait until after Christmas to get your holiday gifts, this is the perfect opportunity to share your love and appreciation with your family and friends. Here are a few of our favorite local businesses to check out:

• Little Flower Candy Company: Founded in Pasadena, this tiny cafe and kitchen has a great selection of candies, apparel, and home goods that you and your loved ones will enjoy! Buy gift sets or individual items you and your families can enjoy from the comfort and safety of their homes.
• These Days: Based in Downtown LA, These Days is an art gallery that has a wide assortment of books, arts, posters, accessories, clothing, and furniture that you can buy from their online store. By purchasing items from them, you will be able to support local artists and brands as well as send your loved ones gifts they will appreciate. 
• OKTheStore: Headquartered in Silverlake, OKTheStore has everything you could possibly need! From decorative items to accessories, you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for yourself and for your loved ones.

Netflix and Binge

Many of us may be stuck at home this holiday season. This is a good opportunity to relax and spend some quality time for yourself. Without all the hustle and bustle from the outside world, you’ll be able to find some peace and quiet through watching your favorite Netflix movies and tv shows. Since it is the holiday season, keep your spirits up by watching some Christmas movies like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Klaus, or the Princess Switch. If you want to take a break from the holiday mood, there is a wide selection of new shows and movies to choose from! Get started on The Crown, Big Mouth, Selena, and more. The options are endless! Additionally, with new technology now available, you can now watch your favorite shows and movies with your loved ones through Teleparty. With this chrome extension, you can watch shows or movies at the same time from the comfort and safety of your home and still spend that quality time with your friends and family. Download Teleparty now and start streaming!

Journal Your Thoughts

With an eventful 2020 coming to a close, one idea to keep your spirits high is to keep a journal to reflect. Writing in a journal is a good opportunity to reflect on yourself - what you are thankful for and what changes have made you more appreciative and grateful for your loved ones. Get ready for the new year by setting out attainable goals for yourself and keep track of your experiences. Whether it be your cooking ability or your self-care routines, document what’s behind us and what you have planned for the future. Get your ACEBSA Journal today and start writing!

Send New Years Cards

Albeit many are not able to physically be with their families this holiday season, you can still be with them in spirit. Whether it’s a New Years card or just a “thinking of you” card, sending these to loved ones is one of the holiday season’s sweetest gestures. Just browsing through the greeting card selection can put you in the holiday spirit, and give you the pleasure of shopping for something special without the stress of budgeting. Personalizing and sending cards is an easy yet fulfilling way to share your holiday spirit and is an opportunity to show gratitude to the people in your life! Take advantage of this holiday season to offer a personal message from your heart to feel moments of comfort and inner joy. Get your New Years cards online via e-copy or in print! Or shop the selections of some local businesses: Sugar Paper, Rifle Paper Co, and Papyrus.

Conclusion

Although this holiday season may not be traditional for many, we can still keep our spirits up in a variety of ways. Take this time to self-reflect and share your love and gratitude for those around you. It’s still a wonderful holiday season and you can feel good knowing that you are doing your part to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy! From your family at ACEBSA, we wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday and new year!