Ways to keep Christmas alive in a pandemic

This year and this Christmas will be unlike any other. Many people are away from a lot of their family, unable to spend the holidays with any one outside their immediate family. And for a lot of people there just isn't as much money as there was in past holidays. However we should take this time to evaluate what is important in our lives. Holidays really shouldn't be able gifts, the stuff that you get or cost a lot of money. The holiday season can still be a magically experience without costing a lot of money. And it should be able giving. And giving also doesn't have to cost a lot of money either. So here are some ways to keep the holiday spirit going, that don't cost a lot of money.

The main group of people that have been affected by the pandemic are the elderly. Some don't have any family to spend the holidays with. And those that do, well most are not able to spend it with them. Something you can do is make some cards to send to the local senior care home. If you have kids, get them involved. We should be teaching them young that the holiday spirit is about giving to people. To any one that doesn't have any family getting a card, especially a card made from a child can be a bright spot in their day. At the same time we can't forget about the nurses in these homes who are, sometimes, the only ones there for them. If you know anyone in a senior care home, make a gift basket for the nurses to thank them for their work. It does not have to cost you a lot of money. Go the the dollar store and get some things that everyone uses. Items like chocolate, coffee, mask, sanitizer, bath care, slippers.

Make cookies or treats with your kids. If you don't really bake there are a lot of easy recipes that you can make. Things like rice krispy treats, that only need 3 things; butter, cereal and marshmallows. Even if they don't turn out great, it is about the experience that your kids will remember. Other experiences, go see the local Christmas lights. A lot of areas have displays with Christmas lights. If your area doesn't have that, then go see your local houses and their lights. Something that is free and a great experience for the kids. If you live in an area that has snow, make a snow and go out and play in the snow. I know a lot of adults are not about the cold or the snow, me being one of them. However seeing the joy on your kids face will make it worth it for you. Have a Christmas movie night, just watch some Christmas movies, have some treats and spend some time together with your family. Build a gingerbread house. You can of course make one if you are an experienced baker. For most of us, you can get a kit at most grocery stores for $10 or under. When you put up your Christmas tree and decorations, get the kids involved. Enjoy the experience. It shouldn't just be about putting it up, but about the experience and joy of doing it.

Make Christmas cards for your family and actually send them. A lot of people always say that they are going to send cards but rarely actually do it. This year actually make some and send them out. Getting mail that is not bills is a very exciting thing for people of all ages. Get your kids involved in wrapping peoples gifts. Christmas should be about giving, no matter what it is.

No matter how much we say that Christmas is not about gifts, being honest gifts is a part of the holidays no matter what we say. But it shouldn't be about getting gifts that cost a lot. It should be about giving gifts that show people that they are appreciated. Make gifts this year if times are hard. If you are an artist, paint a picture. Print a beautiful picture of them, or them with the family and frame it. Make soap or candles. Whatever talent that you have, make something to give to them. Everyone has a talent. I don't know about you but stockings are always the best part of Christmas. So make a stocking or gift basket with things that they are actually going to use. You can make a great gift basket using items from the dollar store and no one will know how much it cost you. If you don't have a lot of money, but you still want your kids to have something to open on Christmas, get some smaller toys instead of larger ones. If you have a $100 budget let's say. Then that money will go a lot further if you get smaller items that cost less and your kids will think that they got a lot more stuff. So instead of one large gift they get 4 smaller ones to open.

More importantly remember that it is okay. It's okay to not have a lot, it's okay to not be able to do as much as you usually do. Know that it is okay. I know it is hard especially if you have a family. You can still keep the Christmas spirit alive and not spend a lot of money on it. Don't be hard on yourself for where you are this year. It has been a hard year. Believe that things will get better and make the most with the situation you are in now. If you have kids know that it is about the time you spend with them that they remember the most, not about gifts you got them or how much money that it cost. It should be about giving, about the magic that is Christmas.