Bright ideas to keep your holidays merry — even in 2020!

It’s hard to feel festive in the midst of a global pandemic, but we all need the “season of joy” now more than ever before. While this holiday season may look slightly different than others, there are still many ways to add a whole lot of merry and joy around your home that may even turn into your family’s favorite traditions. These easy and inexpensive touches can help you feel a little brighter — even during such a dark year!

Baking

Nothing feels more festive than the aromatic scent of delicious holiday cookies right from the oven. Baking is one of my favorite holiday traditions and one that has been passed down through the generations. One of my earliest memories of the holidays was of my grandmother baking cakes, pies, cookies and bread for Christmas. When I became a mom, we stuck to just cookies for Santa but it’s something everyone loves to take part in. We grab holiday cookie cutters, colored icings, and candies to decorate — but everyone’s favorite part is seeing who gets to lick the spoon!

Gingerbread Houses

Don’t feel like baking? You can still reap all the yummy benefits! These sweet mini cookie homes are full of tradition and fun for all ages. We decorate gingerbread every year to kick off the holiday season. What’s really fun is now you don’t have to stop at houses, there are gingerbread kits for so many different interests.

Candles

If you want to fill your senses with the holidays by other means, holiday scented candles are one of my favorite ways to bring the season into my home. Cinnamon, peppermint, and pine candles are such an easy way to decorate and bring some cozy festiveness to your tabletop displays.

Ornament making

There are plenty of ways to have your family pitch in with decorating. One of my favorites is for everyone to make a DIY ornament for the tree. Grab clear fillable ornaments, use glitter, markers, stickers, a cutting machine and your creativity for this fun family project.

Stockings

In our house, everyone that celebrates with us gets a stocking — a personalized one at that! You can go to the store and pick out your favorite color or themed stocking; or you can choose to decorate them as a family activity. Fill them with goodies and open them on Christmas Eve or first thing Christmas morning.

Matching PJ’s

Dressing the whole family up is one of my favorite traditions! My son just became a teenager but we still pick out a new theme every year and wear our matching pj’s on Christmas Eve. They are perfect for Christmas morning virtual get-togethers with family members we can’t be with this year and also create pics to share on social media!

Movie Night

Holiday movies are the perfect way to get the whole family together and in the holiday spirit! Grab some popcorn and everyone’s favorite snacks and gather for a movie or two — or maybe make it a movie marathon day. Make sure to stock up on Rayovac batteries for your remote!

Light Shows

This is a newer tradition for our family. We started going to light shows about 5 years ago. Check your area to find a local light show or display. We go to a drive-through display which is pay per car and an inexpensive activity for the whole family. We bring snacks, hot cocoa in thermoses and tune into the show's radio station to hear the featured Christmas music. It’s a great socially-distanced way to participate in a holiday event.

Random Acts Of Kindness

Every season needs kindness but, during the holidays, it’s the perfect opportunity to be intentional about doing good deeds with your family. Grab a jar and have everyone pitch in. Fill it with random acts of kindness. Each day someone can pick one and you can fulfill them as a family. Some great examples are: donating coats, gloves and blankets to a local shelter; leaving something special with a note in your mailbox for your mail courier; or dropping off holiday treats to first responders, teachers, and nursing homes in your area to help brighten their holiday.

So while things are different this year and we are adjusting to our new normal, the holiday season doesn’t have to be any less magical. Use this time to have fun, experiment with new traditions, recreate old ones and make the most of it!

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