The best gift you can give is another holiday next year
The weather is getting cooler. We are feeling a sense of nostalgia as we look at the beautifully lit homes, sip on hot cocoa and cider, and enjoy our cozy fireplaces with the tree twinkling from the corner. Memories of Christmases past fill our hearts with love and longing – and sometimes sorrow.
Celebrating differently this year does not have to be something that feels like a loss. We may need to miss a new baby’s first Christmas or stay away from our beloved grandparents, but staying away doesn’t mean we love them less or we’re missing out. This year, our distance is a reflection of how much we care for our family. That same distance gives them a chance to be here for the 2021 holiday season.
Your bubble is bigger than you realize
Our bubble is often much bigger than we think it is. If Jane works in a dental office and her husband, John, works in retail, their bubble is everyone they work with, plus any patients or customers with whom they spend a total of 15 minutes with. On top of that, if Jane and John are only socializing with one family in the neighborhood and one family from John’s work, they’re also exposed to everyone in those neighbors and coworkers social circles. Even the best-intentioned people can catch and spread coronavirus unknowingly before ever showing symptoms.
As your local health jurisdiction, we are asking you to not gather outside of your household this year. Every choice you make impacts everyone you are around, whether you know them or not. It is our responsibility as a community to do what we can to not only protect ourselves, but protect each other as well.
Not forever, but for now
The vaccine is here. Our most vulnerable community members are at the front of the line to get protected, and protect you, and within a matter of months, vaccine will be available to everyone who wants it. The more people who get vaccinated, the more protected our community is as a whole – and the more quickly we can get back to something close to normal. Everything you do today to help others is a gift of empathy and compassion, preserves life, helps get our community open sooner and gives our health care system a much needed break.
Ideas to celebrate more safely
- Give loved ones personalized gifts this year. Share items that have your pictures or initials, your voice or simply show that you put time into making it.
- Mail hand-written notes and cards. What’s more personal than telling the person you love how much you miss them then in a handwritten note they can cherish forever?
- Host virtual get-togethers. Stream to your TV while you open gifts so you can laugh together and see each other’s faces during the holiday.
- Check out the holiday lights with your family or friends and make memories together using a hand-held radio or cell phone.
- Host a neighborhood ornament exchange. Everybody involved picks a different participating house using a random house number generator. Check out www.random.org. Then, surprise that family with a gift on their doorstep.
- Host a neighborhood ornament exchange. Everybody involved picks a different participating house using a random house number generator. Check out www.random.org. Then, surprise that family with a gift on their doorstep.