The holidays are just around the corner, but they’re likely going to look and feel much different this year. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many will be unable to travel, gather in large groups, or spend time together in the same home. While many will forego their traditional, in-person celebrations, you can still make the most of your holidays by hosting virtual ones! Read on to learn some of our best tips for hosting a virtual holiday celebration.
Send out invitations
Although most family holiday dinners don’t need a formal invitation, you can have a lot of fun with e-vites. Provide details like what time the celebration begins, a scheduled list of activities, and, of course, the website link where everyone can access the online party. You can also make the invitations extra special by sending out holiday care packages with items like:
- Decorations
- Matching shirts and aprons
- Personalized mugs or glassware
- Festive socks and slippers
- Holiday-scented candles
- Hot cocoa and coffee
- Wine
- And much more!
Create a festive setting
While your family and friends may not be able to enjoy decorations in person, you can still make your virtual setting just as festive. Once you decide where your camera will be placed for the celebration, spend time making those backgrounds extra special. Hang lights, place family photos nearby, create a banner…your creativity knows no bounds here!
Another great idea? Decorate together virtually! Schedule a time for some holiday crafts and have everyone create their own decorations. You can make things like a table centerpiece, place settings, or some holiday-themed art based on what you’re celebrating.
Cook a recipe together
One of the best parts about observing holidays with family and friends is cooking and eating a large meal together. Even though your kitchen may feel empty this year, you can still recreate that feeling virtually. How? By cooking a shared recipe!
Before your holiday celebration, choose a recipe that everyone can cook the day-of together. Whether it’s the main course, a side dish, or a family-favorite dessert, schedule a time to guide everyone through the recipe and enjoy watching them make it. Remember the invitations and care packages we mentioned earlier? Include details of the shared recipe in them, too! Details like the actual recipe, an itemized list of ingredients to buy, or the ingredients themselves!
Play virtual games
The time you spend together as a family doesn’t have to be compromised or cut short just because you aren’t physically together. Another great way to spark some virtual family fun is through online games! There are tons of options to choose from, like:
- UNO
- Jackbox.tv
- Pictionary
- Houseparty
- Mario Kart
- And much more!
The best part? Most of these virtual games are family-friendly so that everyone can join in on the fun!
Stay safe and stay home
The year 2020 has been extremely difficult for many reasons, but it’s important not to let that overshadow the things we love most about the holidays. By staying safe and staying home, we can get through this holiday season and hope that by next year, things will look and feel a lot more normal.
And if you’re still looking for the perfect place to call home — and host your own celebrations — turn to Copperleaf Community. As one of the fastest-growing communities just outside of Denver, it’s a great place to put down roots and create your very own holiday traditions for years to come. Explore our community today!