It’s officially that time of year again. As we enter the blissful month of December, and more importantly enter the final days of the nightmare-turned-reality-fiery-pit-of-stress that was 2020, the holiday season kicks into gear. However while the festive joy trademark of the season is still in high display, this year things are a little different. Pandemic deaths continue to reach record highs across the nation as the country stares down a third-wave predicted of the winter season. With that said, the CDC is lying down some guidelines to ensure an enjoyable but safe season of joy.

The first step goes without saying, but it’s still one of the most imperative nonetheless. “Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs,” the CDC website advises. “Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.” Other steps prove to be more challenging to comply with but are just as critical. One such loss includes putting large family gatherings on the shelf this year. While definitely a tough pill to swallow, isolation is advisable to help flatten the ever-growing curve. For the more people that one does not actively interact with in their household and who are coming from a different location, the more at risk one is of contracting Covid-19. If one does choose to hold a social gathering, they should be extra mindful of factors that have proven to be helpful in spreading the virus. “Indoor gatherings, especially those with poor ventilation (for example, small enclosed spaces with no outside air), pose more risk than outside gatherings. Gatherings that are longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings. Gathers with more people pose more risk than gathers with fewer people,” the CDC elaborates. Appropriate safety measures to take include “mask wearing, social distancing [6 feet] and handwashing,”- or better yet, hold it virtually!

The prospect of hunkering down at home without seeing friends and extended family can seem daunting (although at this point most people should be experts at it). However there are still a variety of festivities to partake in. Such cliches include subjecting oneself to the Christmas Hallmark movies, finding ideas from Pinterest to decorate one’s menorah or how to best set up for Kwanzaa. Delicious treats and hot chocolate are a guaranteed smile-bringer, and are more plentiful than ever as people from across the globe share their recipes as the world unites in international isolation. 

Clearly, the holiday season of 2020 is yet one more reminder of how challenging this year has been. And yet, even though some precautions should be made to accommodate with the times, seasonal joy will not go extinct. Old and new jingles alike will still bless radio stations, trees and menorahs will still dazzle, tables will be beautifully set for Kwanzaa and the same ridiculous debates over the “war on Christmas” will inevitably occur. For us in Texas, we get the additional joy of feeling the annual disappointment at having another green Christmas (fingers crossed)! After an incredibly chaotic year, now more than ever is the time to enjoy the much-needed holidays.