Because the world has been upside down for the past year, many people have not had the chance to spend the holidays with their friends and family like they normally would. Even though it may seem that the world is not going back to normal any time soon, there are still ways to spend time with friends and family this holiday season, all while being mindful of Covid. If you and your loved ones are struggling to figure out a safe way to celebrate the holidays this year, here are four activities that you can safely do to get into the holiday spirit!

Looking at Christmas lights: One way that my family and I love to celebrate the holidays is by getting in the car and driving through neighborhoods that are known for their extravagant lights every year. We spend an hour or two listening to Christmas music and admiring all of the beautiful lights that these houses have to offer. Before Covid, many of these homeowners would have candy canes or hot chocolate for people driving through, but for now, people are staying strictly in their cars. Instead, you could bring your own hot chocolate or snacks as you drive through the neighborhoods. This activity is a great way to stay safe but also a way to get out of the house and see some amazing decorations. 

Baking holiday treats: Something else to do at home is to find a recipe for your favorite cookie, cake, brownie, or any treat you want, and bake it together as a family or with your friends. You can have music or a movie playing in the background, and you get to have some delicious treats once you’re done! This is an easy way to spend time with your loved ones and it has always been one of my favorite activities to do during this time of year, even before the pandemic. 

Holiday movie marathon: Sometimes a fun way to celebrate with family and friends is to just sit down and watch some movies. Have everyone in the group pick their favorite holiday movie, snacks, and spend all day watching! You could spend the day watching classics like Elf, or if you are like me, movies like Iron Man 3 which to many people qualifies as a Christmas movie. No matter what movies are chosen, you and your loved ones are guaranteed to have a great time while staying safe inside. 

Gingerbread house competition: Finally, a classic way to have fun with family and friends during the holidays is with a gingerbread house competition. Divide your group up into teams, set a timer, and see who can build the best gingerbread house! To raise the stakes, the winners could get a prize or you could make bets before the building begins. You could either buy a gingerbread house kit or try to make your own gingerbread if you want a challenge. Either way, a competition like this is such a fun way to celebrate safely together, especially if you have a competitive family.

Those are just a few of my favorite ways to have fun with loved ones this year while staying as safe as possible. If you choose any of these activities to do with your family and friends this year, I hope you have a fun time together!