Wearing masks to pick out Christmas trees, online shopping for gifts, and buying tickets to go with your limited group of four to see the tree in Rockefeller Center is not my idea of an enjoyable December. 2020 has been a crazy year so far, but how will it affect the holiday season? To make the best out of it here are 25 ways to (safely) get into the holiday spirit.

1. Decorate a Christmas tree 

2. Listen to holiday music

3. Watch Christmas movies 

4. Make some hot chocolate

5. Buy festive pajamas — One of my favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit is to snuggle up on the couch with my favorite pair of pajamas, a cup of hot chocolate, and watch Christmas movies. Wearing festive pajamas, especially the cozy pants, are a great way to get into the spirit. Matching with someone can always make this so much more fun!

6. Make some eggnog

7. Read classic Christmas stories 

8. Decorate your house with some holiday decorations

9. Bake Christmas cookies or desserts 

10. Drive around and look at Christmas lights — There is nothing safer than staying in your car and looking at Christmas lights. Turn up the Christmas tunes and enjoy the view. PNC has a light show that will blow your mind.

11. Build a gingerbread house

12. Do a craft or DIY

13. Send out holiday cards

14. Turn yourself into an elf 

15. Donate — Donating is a good way to make yourself feel good and make someone else’s holiday. Especially during times like these, people are struggling more than we know. Two ways that you can donate are food to a food pantry or Christmas gifts to a nonprofit organization. Helping Hand food pantry is a local organization that you would be able to contribute to. Toys for Tots is also a great way to bring a smile to a child’s face this Christmas. 

16. Build a fire and make s’mores

17. Light a holiday scented candle

18. Go skiing, sledding, or snow tubing

19. Start a Christmas movie night on Zoom 

20. Visit family (from a distance) — Time with family is what the holidays are all about. Although you may not be able to be with your family physically, you can still do things to make the holiday special. Sending family gifts and opening them over a Zoom call is one way to stay connected. 

21. Watch a Christmas play 

22. Throw a socially distanced Christmas party 

23. Volunteer at a soup kitchen

24. Find creative ways to hide the Elf on the Shelf 

25. Relax and reflect on the meaning of the holiday season — It is easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the holidays. Take this quiet time to reflect on the good aspects of life and to plan out your New Year’s resolutions.