The holidays are about spending time with friends and family, sharing a meal together, gifting presents, and creating memories. However, this year we need to be creative on how to celebrate the holidays with our friends and family. During this holiday season, it is of the utmost importance to be safe and help to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Keep reading to see how you can stay safe this holiday season!
Alternative Ways to Gather with Your Friends and Family for the Holidays
- Celebrate virtually with your friends and family. Schedule a time to eat a meal together.
- Gather virtually for a favorite holiday event, like an ugly holiday sweater contest or decorating gingerbread houses!
- Send holiday cards or cookies to your friends and family members to let them know you are thinking about them.
- Do a porch-drop-off or porch-pick-up of holiday presents with your friends and family members and open them while celebrating virtually.
- Sign up to volunteer with your friends and family members at a local community organization and give back to your community.
Holiday Activities that have Low Exposure Risk
- Attend a virtual religious service. Some religious institutions may have a drive-in service option, where you stay in your car “bubble.”
- Decorate your home, inside and out, for the winter holiday. Share photos of your decorations on social media.
- Walk or drive around your neighborhood to look at holiday lights.
- Visit a local drive through holiday light display.
- Contact your local fire department to see if Santa will be coming to your neighborhood on a fire truck.
- Enjoy the winter weather and build a snowman.
- Donate presents or winter clothing to a local community shelter.
Attending or Hosting a Holiday Gathering?
Attendee
- Have conversations with the host about expectations for the day.
- Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
- Wear a mask both indoors and outdoors.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Keep a 6-foot distance from other households.
Host
- Have conversations with the guests about expectations for the day.
- Consider having a small outdoor celebration or having the windows open for air flow.
- Limit the number of guests, keeping a 6-foot distance from other households.
- Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.
- Have single-use options, such as salad dressing packets, disposable items.
The most important tips to stay safe this year are: to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands frequently. If you or any of your household members do not feel well, stay home.
Creason Schafer, BS, CHES, CPST
Community Outreach Specialist
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center – Injury Prevention
