As the holidays approach, we’re all feeling a variety of emotions. On one hand, there’s a great deal of relief to ring in the end of 2020, but we’re also feeling a good deal of anxiety about celebrating the holidays with the people we love—especially as the City of Pittsburgh is discouraging the community from visiting friends and family to celebrate. As COVID-19 cases increase in Pittsburgh and the rest of the United States, we’re reminded of how important it is to be open to a new take on old traditions.
10 Safe Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Pittsburgh
Here are some of the ways our family is finding joy in this unusual holiday season (and you can try, too!):
1. Head outside. To limit COVID exposure in our own extended family, we have switched to outdoor gatherings, even as the weather turns cold. In addition to bundling up, many of us have invested in heated blankets. We celebrated Thanksgiving together at the beginning of November, and we had dinner outside at spaced out tables. After dinner, we gathered around fire pits to warm up and enjoy each other’s company. Of course, it’s still important to maintain your distance even when you’re outside. With cases so high, it’s also good to continue wearing your mask!
2. Try Advent Angels. Our family does its own twist on Secret Santa. We use drawnames.com to assign everyone a family member to deliver goodies to as the holiday approaches. Since the acts of kindness are secret, no contact is needed to make this a fun, safe way to spread cheer. To stay extra safe during the pandemic, drop your goodies off on your family member’s front steps!
3. Spread the Light. Find creative ways to remember each other when you can’t gather together. Pick up candles from a local Pittsburgh shop and deliver them on the porch to your friends and family. Thinking of each other as you light your candle is a warm way to remind you that you aren’t alone. North Ave Candles are our favorite, and we can’t resist picking one up when we get coffee from HLane in Swissvale.
4. Give with purpose. Pittsburgh’s nonprofits have been resilient during COVID-19, but many of them need help. As the holidays approach, COVID-19 numbers increase, and the temperatures drop, many are experiencing increased demand. Check out your local organizations or nonprofits you’re passionate about and see if there’s a way for you to safely volunteer over the coming weeks.
5. Share recipes. We have been missing the group of families we usually have a monthly dinner with, so we went virtual and are now taking turns sharing a favorite recipe instead of hosting dinner. Our favorite is chili and cornbread, which is easy to make, and it’s fun to hear what varieties people come up with! This works great for local or long-distance friends.
6. Online board games. Board games bring us so much joy, and they are a great way to spend time with friends and family! Whether you love nerdy eurogames or prefer light party games, there are tons of apps and resources for playing virtually. HouseParty is a Zoom-like app that offers party games that are great for a variety of ages. Tabletopia and Tabletop Simulator are great for more complex games as well. If you’re looking for a gift for a game-loving friend, or a set you and a friend can play over Zoom, Games Unlimited in Squirrel Hill offers virtual consultations to help you pick out the right game, and they also offer curbside pickup.
7. Deck the Halls. Even if you won’t be hosting a large holiday feast, decorate your home for yourself! Our kids made a Gratitude Wreath that brings joy to our dining room this year, and you could easily swap the colors to match whatever holiday you celebrate!
8. Shop small. Your holidays may be simpler than usual this year, and it’s definitely okay to cut back. When you do shop, remember how hard Pittsburgh’s small businesses have been hit through the pandemic. Many stores are offering online ordering, shipping goods, or curbside pickup. If you prefer the convenience of Amazon, try Etsy instead! It supports small businesses, and you can filter by location to shop from Pittsburgh’s local vendors. Love, Pittsburgh also has excellent curated and local gifts.
9. Call for carols. One of our favorite holiday traditions is caroling in Pittsburgh senior centers. While this isn’t a safe option this year, we know that many homebound people are lonelier than ever. Imagine the joy you’ll spread by calling to sing them your favorite carol or two! If you aren’t sure who to call, start with the front desk of a local nursing home and ask if they have any residents that would appreciate hearing their favorite holiday song.
10. Travel Safely. If you do travel by necessity or choice, take precautions to travel as safely as possible. Our family drove to visit Ted’s parents in Houston, but camped in the back of our van and packed picnic food to limit our contact with other people. We talked with family ahead of time to make sure we all were all diligent in masking, and limiting trips to public places unless necessary. If you want tips for navigating a lower risk road trip, we are happy to share what we’ve learned!
How are you safely celebrating the holidays this year? We’d love to hear about it! Shoot us an email at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com.
Cheers,
Julie & Ted