For many people, keeping socially distant at the holidays is going to be a big challenge. We love gathering with friends and family, exchanging gifts, sharing a meal and just being in each other's company. This year may bring very different holidays, but that doesn't mean that they need to be un-cheery! There are lots of ways to connect deeply, while still staying safe.
Of course, shipping gifts isn't anything new. A lot of people move away from home when they grow up, and distant relatives may not be able to make every holiday gathering. Today, we even have the option with many online stores of having gifts not only wrapped but also shipped directly to the person who is to receive them, which can save us some money on shipping, and helps reduce the chance of gifts arriving late (one shipping is better than two!)
If you are like me, and part of your joy is seeing people react to opening your gifts, you might do a distanced gift exchange. If you wrap your gifts ahead of time, they can be exchanged safely (if you want to be extra careful you can wrap them, then put them in a second bag, then even the wrapping will be safe). Or, if have sent your gift through the mail, you can schedule a video call and open gifts in front of the camera. If you are gifting children, an adult can film their reactions to send to people who sent gifts!
I am also always a big fan of home made gifts. I love making things for people, whether it is something useful or more decorative. I love receiving things that my friends have made, it feels like a little piece of them! There are lots of options for making stuff, even baking some treats to drop by (great for people who may not have a lot of room to store things).
There are also many non-physical things you can gift people with! If you have Pagan or spiritually open friends, you might want to gift them with a divination reading. This is another thing that is great to do over a video call, but you can also take a picture of the cards and send them your interpretation. Spellwork is also an option, you might do a blessing, or consult with them on what type of spell they might like you to cast on their behalf.
Gift cards or the like can make great gifts as well, especially if you know someone may be struggling. I have seen several suggestions for sending help with bills as opposed to some little trinket that might just sit on a shelf collecting dust. It can be very awkward for someone to ask for help if they need it, but noticing that they are struggling and sending a thoughtfully worded gift, can make a big difference.
You can even 'gift' an experience, maybe renting a digital movie for someone (and yourself) and planning a time where you can watch it together. You can message while you watch it, to share your delight about the good parts or cry over the sad bits. Even though you aren't physically together, having someone to chat with a movie you just watched makes it much more fun!
Another idea I love is gifting someone a copy of a book you adore. You can add personal thoughts and notes in the margins (or on sticky notes, if you think they would be really bothered by writing in the book). It can be fun to read books together, so you might agree on reading a chapter a week (or month), and then picking a time to talk about what you liked or didn't like, or different topics that were brought up in what you read.
If you have been stuck in your home with family, you may think about things you can do for the people you are living with, as a gift. Maybe doing chores for them, or taking over child-minding (or teaching!) duties for a bit to give them a break. Think about what they may be struggling with or feeling overwhelmed by and try to figure out a way to work around that.
Doing things together is often a great gift, and can turn mundane tasks into fun experiences. Planning a new dish to cook, and then cooking it together (maybe topping it off with a movie after you eat..) can make for a great evening. If you have kids at home, maybe turn that afternoon's math lesson into a cooking lesson and have them help you figure out how to double (or half) a recipe. Just remember, if your gift is making someone something in the kitchen....cleaning up after yourself should be part of the gift too!
Even though the holidays may look different this year, doesn't mean you can't create amazing memories and have a wonderful (and safe) holiday season! Look for ways to make your gift giving special, whether that means thinking outside the traditional gift box or discovering new ways to exchange traditional gifts. Remember, gift giving is not about the stuff, it's about showing you care about the other person...and caring knows no distance!
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