I feel like I was just writing a post about Thanksgiving and how it was going to feel this year, and here I am now writing about Christmas. Time really is just moving so strangely this year and I continue to feel like it’s either crawling or speeding by, with no in-between.

I think Christmas, and really the whole time between Christmas Eve and New Years Day, is going to be the time where it most hits me how different things are going to be this year. My family typically has so many traditions in those few weeks – we always go to church on Christmas Eve, we gather with my dad’s extended family the day after Christmas, we see a movie together as a family. And each year between Christmas and New Years, we have a huge party with family and friends – it’s sometimes the one time each year that all of my friends are in the same place at the same time, and it’s become one of my absolute favorite nights each year. 

Needless to say, none of those things will be happening this year. I’m sure we’ll figure out some sort of virtual options for seeing friends and family, but these traditions are just such a big part of my year, and of the holidays for me, that it won’t be the same. It’s going to be sad to miss out on some of my favorite events of the year!

So I’m trying to really focus on the traditions that I still can do this year, and even adding in a few new ones to make sure that I still get into the holiday spirit this year. 

Decorating the Tree(s)

We got two small artificial trees this year to spread around the house. My mom got all of the ornaments from her mom after she passed away, and we have one small tree dedicated to all of those ornaments, which has become a really sweet tradition. Happily, we also found a local nursery that is delivering real Christmas trees, so we were able to get a real tree too. I think that having a real tree is my absolute favorite part of the holidays, so I’m so, so glad we were able to find a safe way to get our tree. (Shoutout to Jim Jenkins Lawn and Garden Center for making the process so easy!)

Watching Holiday Movies

On Thanksgiving, after we ate dinner, we all watched Die Hard (I had never seen it, and I know it’s the quintessential “is it or isn’t it a” holiday movie) to add something new to our holiday movie repertoire. And we we still have more holiday movies to watch (White Christmas, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Santa Clause…). Christmas movies and hot chocolate is one tradition that always gets me in the holiday mood.

Sending out Christmas Cards

My parents send out Christmas cards from the whole family each year, but I decided to send my own this year, too. I had fun picking out a cute design, and I love that it’s continuing my new habit of sending out more handwritten mail. Since this year is all about connecting with people in different ways, sending out cards seemed like the perfect way to remind friends and family that I’m missing them this year.