June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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It’s like Perry Como once crooned: For the holidays, you can’t beat home sweet home. Which is good news, because more of us may be staying put for the holiday season this year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make the season merry and bright! Here are 12 ways to add a little more joy to your stay-at-home holidays (no partridge in a pear tree required).
If you have to stay home, you may as well make the most of your surroundings—and that means really doing it up with your holiday décor this year.
Light up your life with some very elegant DIY menorahs, or get inspired by these unique Christmas tree ideas (spoiler alert: cacti can be surprisingly festive). You can also go a bit more neutral with these ideas for winter decorations, which will add an understated touch of cheer to your home.
Seeing holiday lights is one of the best ways to get into the spirit of the season, and you can do it all from the comfort of your car. Googling light displays for your location will usually bring up some fun and festive options.
Can’t find anything near you? Grab your hot chocolate, dim the overheads, and take a virtual light tour right in your own living room.
Cookies: the confectionary backbone of the holiday season. Give your oven some lovin’ with some traditional holiday favorites, whip up some healthier takes, or discover a new world of deliciousness with these international cookie recipes.
Cookies not really your thing? Try your hand at some fun holiday classics like figgy pudding (yes, it’s a real thing!) or an impressive yule log. If you’re not keen on having too many sweets around the house, don’t worry—you can always give your delicious creations out as gifts.
Many of us have had a lot more practice with video calls over the last few months, so why not use your newfound tech knowledge for something infinitely more fun? Gather a group of friends for a festive get-together over video. You can even have a dress-up theme, like ugly holiday sweaters or pajamas (a great way to keep the vibe relaxed).
Keep the conversation rolling with holiday-themed icebreaker questions—like the worst gift people have ever received, their can’t-miss holiday movie, and their dream holiday destination.
If you want to check in with friends and loved ones but don’t want to commit to a whole virtual party, try virtual caroling instead. Rehearse a few numbers with your household (a cappella is always the classic route, but if you really want to go all out, you can find holiday karaoke tracks online), then surprise your loved ones with a video or phone call.
One of the best ways to feel joy is to give joy—and there are plenty of ways to let people know you care. Write a thank-you note to your mail carrier (you can even include some hand warmers!), or send a letter to your child’s teacher to thank them for adding much-needed structure to otherwise unpredictable year.
You can also do some good for local organizations this season: check with food banks or shelters to see what donations they’re most in need of, or find an organization that collects toys or clothes for children.
Put on your favorite PJs and cozy up on the couch for a family movie night, starring some of your most beloved classics. Not sure where to start? Here’s Rotten Tomato’s list of best Christmas movies of all time, and eight movies you can stream for each night of Hanukkah. You can also find a rundown of fun holiday movies on Netflix for 2020, with some new flicks and old favorites.
If you’re sick of screens (and let’s face it—it’s been a very virtual year), here’s a novel idea: start up the fireplace, make a nice cup of tea, and enjoy a holiday-themed book. You can gather the kiddos for a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” or Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins, you can enjoy more adult fare like Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie (because who doesn’t love a holiday murder mystery?).
Tacky sweaters have become a beloved holiday tradition, and it’s easy to make a few hideous numbers for your own wardrobe—all you need are some solid-colored sweaters or sweatshirts and some craft supplies (you can really use just about anything, but glitter glue, sequins, yarn, and ribbon are a good start). Here are some fun ideas to get you thinking about how you can (festively) break all the laws of fashion.
If you’ve never constructed a gingerbread house, this is your year! If you love to bake, you can make your own gingerbread house materials using this recipe. Or if you’d prefer to skip the labor and go straight to the decorating, there are plenty of gingerbread house kits to get you started. You can also just buy your own pre-made ingredients and make something unique.
Remember: you don’t have to go traditional! Check out these creative gingerbread houses for inspiration, which range castles to campers (and even one homage to King Kong).
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that gets snowfall, making a snowman is a great way to spend a holiday afternoon. But even if you don’t have access to any snow, there are lots of fun DIY snowmen projects, ranging from socks, to science projects, to cinnamon buns.
Make your holiday cards extra memorable by gathering the fam for a holiday photo shoot! Some ideas: don your ugly holiday sweaters, dress up as characters from your favorite holiday story, or act out the lyrics to your favorite holiday songs. Here are some creative ideas to get you inspired.
Even if you’re home for the holidays, it’s not hard to make the season magical. And if you do find yourself traveling this season, make sure you go safer with travel insurance—starting by finding a plan that’s right for you.
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