As the holiday season is coming into view,  we must acknowledge that this year will feel different than years past. We find our feelings of excitement being replaced with uncertainty. Upcoming fall and winter celebrations, such as, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, typically include large and joyous gatherings of families and friends, crowded parties, and travel that we must now reconsider to avoid the increased risks associated with COVID-19. Wearing a mask, practicing proper hand washing, using hand sanitizer, and maintaining social distancing all reduce your chances of COVID-19 infection. All of these simple choices reduce the risk of infection to those we love.

CDC Holiday Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) has put together information regarding holiday celebrations during COVID-19. They categorize holiday activities by low, moderate and high risk as a way of reminding us that we can still celebrate so long as we make careful choices. These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. When planning to host or attend a holiday celebration, you should assess current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel, or limit the number of attendees. Here are some helpful links for local information in Massachusetts:

Holiday Travel

For a variety of reasons, traveling increases your chances of contracting and/or spreading COVID-19. As we have been advised for months now, staying home is still the best way to protect yourself and others. Use information from the following webpages to decide whether to go on holiday travel:

Talk About It

Talking about our concerns and being honest about what we need in order to feel comfortable around family and friends this holiday season is crucial. We must talk about our perspectives with those we care about so we can work together. Though we are navigating this storm together as a community, we may often feel that we are doing so from different vessels. It’s important to note that we have each made different choices for how to manage life during this pandemic. Respecting each other’s perspective, while being clear about our own, is essential to maintaining physical and mental health as we enter the colder months. Conversations will begin amongst loved ones about the holidays and there are many aspects to consider. Have these conversations in advance:

  • Don’t assume that everyone is on the same page when it comes to adhering to new norms and local regulations.
  • Talk ahead of time and establish shared expectations should you decide to get together.
  • Know your truth and stick with it. Know what you are flexible on and what is non-negotiable.
  • Embrace your power to say ‘no.’ If you have any doubts about it, then listen to yourself.

Be Creative

Holidays will look different this year. At the preschool where I work, there are many changes we have made and many different ways we’ve had to adapt in order to comply with new Covid regulations. It is challenging, but we have already picked some strategies we plan to keep post-virus. We have embraced our ability to be creative to make the best of a situation in order to keep the families and children we serve happy, healthy, and safe. This year we have all been creative in many ways and the holidays will face the same treatment. What we’ve learned is that there can be a silver lining to even the most difficult scenarios. This outlook can certainly be applied to the holiday season.

Together But Apart

You can still feel the holiday spirit even during this pandemic time and you can still make this time of year special even while safely distanced. Be creative! Start new traditions! Have FUN with it! You might even end up keeping some traditions post-virus. 

  • Decorate your house. Be as extra as you want!
  • Cook traditional family recipes.
  • Eat with your household, but Zoom other households in to have a virtual meal together.
  • Build gingerbread houses. If you can’t be together, have a virtual competition.
  • Drive around and look at decorations in your community.
  • Send cards and sweets to celebrate Diwali.
  • Watch Christmas movie marathons together or virtually.
  • Share what you’re grateful for while you eat your own Thanksgiving dinners at home.
  • Have a virtual menorah lighting.
  • Bake all the treats!
  • Have an ugly sweater virtual contest.
  • Have gifts delivered directly to the recipient’s address instead of swapping gifts in person. 

Hosting or Attending a Gathering

Information is constantly changing in Massachusetts. As of November 6th:

  • Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people. Masks are encouraged even where distancing is possible.
  • All gatherings (regardless of size or location) must end and disperse by 9:30 PM.
  • The gatherings order authorizes continued enforcement by local health and police departments and specifies that fines for violating the gathering order will be $500 for each person above the limit at a particular gathering. Please continue to check for the most updated local information.

If you plan on still gathering together and understand the risks involved then here are some ideas to make it safer:

  • Read over the CDC’s Guidelines on Holiday Celebrations.
  • Keep the guest list small. 
  • Keep people from separate households 6 feet apart.
  • Keep your windows open to increase air circulation.
  • Have everyone wash hands often.
  • Wear masks except when eating.
  • Put paper towels near your sinks, so people don’t dry their hands on a shared towel.
  • Stagger seating to keep separate households 6 feet apart during dinner.
  • Appoint one person to place food on everyone’s plate, so people don’t touch shared utensils.
  • Consider using disposable plates, flatware, napkins and tablecloths.
  • Consider an alcohol-free event, since drinking lowers inhibitions.
  • If you are hosting and feel sick then cancel. If you’re attending and feel sick then you and your household should stay home.
  • Make hand sanitizer readily available at doorways and throughout the space.

Mental Health Resources

Even prior to the pandemic, the holidays can be a tough time of year for many people. This year might bring on extra disappointment and feelings of isolation. We need to acknowledge how hard this has been and how people are struggling every day. Listen when people come to you about how they are feeling. Our initial response is to try and cheer them up or help them find the bright side, but this can teach them to retreat and hide. By creating meaningful connections and listening we will help others feel understood and heard. There is no better holiday gift than letting someone feel your support.

Here are some mental health resources for navigating this challenging time:

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Do not try to manage these dangers alone. Asking for help is so important and may save your life or the life of someone you love.