Faced with the pandemic, taking the time to give, share, laugh, reflect, and gather—even when apart—are as important as ever. And now’s the time to strategize to keep the best parts of the season alive. Unsure how to get started? The following idea-starters from the PacificSource wellness team just might make this season one for the ages.

Zoom in for remote togetherness

If having everyone under the same roof is neither safe nor realistic, plan for virtual togetherness via live video chat. If needed, enlist the family’s top techie to provide the support and reassurance to pull off a glitch-free cross-generational streaming talkfest. Whether it’s Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Duo, or Messenger Rooms, the idea is to make technology the least of anyone’s worries.

It’s All About the Food: 6 Ways to Spread Joy via the Dinner Spread

As the ultimate holiday lockdown-buster, a great meal and togetherness serve up a one-two punch for glad tidings of joy. Here are six ways to rethink how to relish the role of food during these strange times:

  1. Help others enjoy a meal sent with love. Prepare all the fixings and deliver (or ship) the care package to your older relatives or solo family members.
  2. What brisket? This could be the time to create a new favorite meal instead of “how it’s always been done.” You will always remember swapping things out for sushi rolls or grazing at the charcuterie board with smoothies or cocktails. Thai food, anyone?
  3. Make mealtime virtually (and literally) the best. If a feast is essential to having everyone together, set up a video chat for a round of toasts, gratitude, prayer, or all three.
  4. Brew your own holiday beer or cider and deliver it to friends and family. (Also idea #1.) When it’s time to celebrate, uncork the home-crafted hooch together for a virtual tasting (and critiquing).
  5. Pre-holiday swap-chat session. Swap your best family recipes during a virtual call with all your favorite foodies (and nonfoodies).
  6. Tradition! Ask the family’s most senior generation to guide grandkids via video chat through their favorite traditions, whether it’s a cookie recipe, dumplings, pie, hot dish, or cocktail.

Altogether Now: 6 Ideas to Connect with Activities While Apart

As soon as everyone is comfortable with video chatting, there’s nothing keeping you from upping the ante with some friendly (er, competitive) rounds of your go-to game. Party games such as Cards Against Humanity, Codenames, Chameleon, and Exploding Kittens are popular. Or look into an “Escape Room in a Box.” (Tip: certain games might need you to suspend a camera device overlooking the gameboard.) Not into games? No problem. Six activity starters that need very few rules:

  1. Explore watch-together apps. See who’s up for watching family favorites together apart—all made possible through Netflix Party, Scener, and Rave.
  2. Can you crack the case? Kits are available to set up your own murder mystery event. Choose a themed mystery, set a date and time, and let the sleuthing begin.
  3. Comfy sweatpants are so yesterday. Drip with style or announce a dress-up party theme—favorite characters, your parents’ decade, tres chic supper club—you get the idea. If a video call is part of the fun, each household bubble gets to show off their spirit.
  4. See who’s got chops. Host a singalong, jam session, roast, or talent show.
  5. Celebrate why bad taste is best. Plan an ugly-sweater exchange. When it’s time to open up gifts, everyone gets to watch one another, one by one, don their new favorite knitwear.
  6. Unleash your creativity. Set up a room full of craft or paint supplies for an afternoon of making an original.

Being Outside Really Is Delightful: 5 Great Ways to Take It Outside

  1. Have an outdoor dinner spread. If the plan is for everyone to gather for a holiday dinner, set up in the backyard or side patio. The outdoors takes advantage of the best-possible ventilation system. Freely moving air in the great big sky helps prevent aerosols that come out of our mouths from building up in the air.
  2. Deliver some good. Consider taking a treat or meal to a neighbor who often has a difficult time leaving the house. Or just stop by to say “hi”—you outside while your neighbor stays in their doorway.
  3. Get after the wonderland of winter. Drive to the mountains (or snow line) for a day of tromping, snow-angel-making, sledding, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing.
  4. Heed the call of the wild. Hike near a lake or head to the beach for some wind in your face. If you’re not up for dipping your toes in the water, watch the wintry surf from a distance.
  5. Break a sweat (seriously, that’s the idea). Why not have everyone work for those added helpings of pie? You can set up a friendly walking steps competition. Better yet, create a course for a family 5K walk/run. Faraway relatives can plan their own bubble’s 5K. The more bubbles, the better.

Spreading Kindness: 5 Ways to Give During these Extraordinary Times

If there’s a bright spot to what we’re all going through, it’s that a crisis seems to bring out a positive side of our human spirit—the desire to help. If you’re looking for a few ideas to express how much you care, here’s a start:

  1. Donate to a charity. From small personal gestures to larger contributions, if you have the desire to give back to your community, now is the perfect time.
  2. When thinking of those in need, remember locally owned small businesses. Consider buying some prepaid gift cards. If your favorite coffee shop, bakery, cleaners, or boutique is having to pause, reach out to them—ask if there’s a special or preferred way to offer support.
  3. Give to a family that may be struggling. As people’s incomes are being affected, so are contributions to community charitable groups such as food banks and other services for families in need. Your thoughtful consideration is needed more than ever.
  4. Offer your time as a good neighbor. Check with older neighbors on your street to see if you can pick up something from the market or hardware store. If not an errand, suggest helping with the yard.
  5. Write a nice note to someone you’re thinking about. Or take a second to leave fun notes for delivery drivers and other service workers who add joy to your day.

Please follow all current COVID-19 safety protocols when engaging in activities with others.