Planning Christmas
If you have ever thought of changing up December and doing something different for the holiday season, you’re in good company. For many years, I participated in a very merry season, with parties, Christmas concerts, family dinners and get-togethers. Sometimes, we drove for hours in a snowstorm to get to our destination. My life is different now. And so, these ideas to try something new are coming from my need to do something different.
IDEA #1
If you long to leave the Christmas decorations in the storage unit, the turkey at its free-range farmyard, or the snow shovel for the house sitter to use, if needed, you could contemplate a trip to a warmer locale. Just take one piece of carry-on luggage that only has two swimsuits, a coverup, change of underwear and your makeup bag with your medications in it. Don’t forget your passport! You can buy toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and sunscreen when you arrive at your destination. Many places have department or drug stores if you aren’t at a fancy resort that supplies such items.
One year, our Christmas tree was replaced with a yellow piñata, our turkey dinner was replaced with a barbeque by the Cuale River in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and our crazy Christmas sweaters were replaced with bathing suits and crazy, jokey t-shirts. We truly had a Christmas season to remember with old and new friends that “happened” to be in the area. The weather forecast was hot and sunny. My mental outlook was the same!
IDEA #2
If your storage locker is too small for you to store a Christmas tree or if you want to leave the live tree in the forest, try substituting a step ladder. My daughter lives in a pretty little house on a lake up north and has decided not to cut down a tree every year, but instead to use a step ladder.
She found the idea on Pinterest and asked her friends on Facebook if anyone had an old ladder she could have. Someone did! It has rungs for poinsettias, holly or Christmas decorations, and when her boys come for Christmas, she still loads the space under it full of gifts. It’s a fun way to decorate and there is no need for tinsel.
IDEA #3
Have you Zoomed Christmas? In 2020, the Zoom Christmas became a “thing.” People synchronized their meal with family and friends across the world to be together on Zoom. When I checked on Google, I found a whole new industry has been created – a whole new way of doing Christmas!
Two of my favourite ideas come out of Europe. The first is Reindeer Games. Rudolph is retiring and his lead position must be filled. Participants vie for the coveted front reindeer position. It uses Chrome and Zoom. Groups from eight to 150 people participate, so you can include your whole family wherever they are in the world.
The second – an adult option on Zoom – is Christmas Cocktails. A mixologist, who lives in the Alps, teaches participants how to make cocktails in front of a view overlooking a snowy Alpine Village. He delivers a hamper of ingredients to your door ahead of time. Sounds to me like a good way to spend Christmas Eve, if you want to sleep through the rest of Christmas!
And don’t forget to send out your virtual Christmas Cards – no postage required just a computer, the internet and your favourite way of communicating with those you like and love around the world.
However you choose to celebrate, may your holiday season be filled with events that make you happy and create memories.
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.