5 Fun Activities For A COVID-Friendly Christmas

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This blog was originally posted on Minted.com.

The holiday season has always represented a time to reflect on the good things, celebrate annual traditions, and connect with friends and family. Despite an unusual 2020 that has limited our social interactions and travel, there is no reason this holiday season can’t be filled with fun Christmas activities, even if they are socially distanced! With decorations to be hung, seasonal recipes to be followed, and Christmas cards to be put in the mail, there are plenty of holiday-themed experiences to keep us all entertained. While each family household has different holiday traditions, we have assembled this list of creative Christmas activities for kids and adults alike, including plenty of fun for those looking to practice social distancing.

1. Build A Gingerbread House

Trying to figure out what you can do for Christmas from home this year? Nothing beats a craft that you can eat when you’re finished! Many supermarkets will sell a gingerbread house kit around the holidays. The kit will usually include the bare essentials to build four walls and a roof. Head to the candy aisle of the supermarket and select a few custom treats that will add to your child’s design of the gingerbread house. Here are a few ideas on how some popular candies may be incorporated:

  • Plain or peanut butter M&M’s – can be used for colored roof tiling.
  • Gumdrops – can be used for colored roof tiling.
  • Small candy canes – can be used for wall decorations or fence posts.
  • Shredded coconut – can be used for snow on the roof, or dyed green for grass.
  • Pretzel sticks – can be used for fence posts or logs for a log cabin.
  • Red vines – can easily be bent and wrapped around corners and edges.
  • Marshmallows – can be used to make snowmen or little snow bundles.

2. Build A Snowman

If you have snow on the ground, this might be a fun activity to get the kids involved in. Arm them with some carrots, charcoal, twigs, and clothing like hats, scarves, and mittens and see what their creative minds come up with. If you live in a beach destination, bring the shovels and buckets to the sand and construct a sandman. Sunglasses, sunscreen, water floaties, and a Santa hat really pair nicely with a sandman. Lastly, if you don’t have snow or sand to use as a medium, you could have your child tape three white paper plates or white balloons together. Give them a box of markers or crayons and design a fun snowman that can be displayed in the living room or on your child’s wall.

3. Go For A Christmas Lights Drive

Make some hot cocoa, pour a cup for each member of the family, and head out in the car in search of the best Christmas light displays for some memorable family bonding. You may know a couple of neighborhoods that always go above and beyond each winter. Some cities and towns even have a professionally made light display or experience that charges admission. If you are lucky, you will come across a light display that is synched up with music.

4. Show Off Your Holiday Sweater (In A Virtual Meeting)

If you have that “ugly” Christmas sweater in the back of your closet, don’t forget to show it off at least once. Whether you wear it around the house to bring a smile to a loved one’s face or broadcast it to the world at a social gathering or virtual webinar/party, Christmas sweaters have a way of spreading holiday joy. If you don’t have an ugly sweater in your wardrobe yet, maybe this is the year to add it to the wish list.

5. Make A Wreath

There are many DIY Christmas wreath ideas that will walk you through how to construct a beautiful wreath for your holiday home decor. You could start with a plain premade wreath and add decorations. Or, for a more hands-on approach, purchase a styrofoam ring at a craft store and then begin attaching your own materials. Some materials to consider using include:

  • Pinecones
  • Pine limbs
  • Wine corks
  • Ribbons and bows
  • Wrapping paper
  • Christmas ornaments
  • Candy
  • Bells
  • Garland

These are only a few of the suggestions from the original article. Click below to read it in its entirety.

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