As much as we may be sick of hearing it, the holidays look a little different this year, and many traditions have had to be re-imagined. It can be disappointing, but we have to make the most of our situation at hand. And who knows? Maybe you will find some new traditions that you love even more! There is still an abundance of safe activities you can do to make the season as magical as ever. Below are some ways to retain a sense of normalcy during the 2020 holidays:

1. If the weather permits, try taking a walk in your local woods with your family or your dog. Crows Woods is a wonderful place to spend a weekend afternoon, enjoying the crisp winter air.

2. Get in the kitchen! Holiday baking is always a winter favorite, and my family has done a lot of it this year. There are delicious recipes for cookies, pies, and cakes scattered throughout magazines and all over the Internet. We recently made peppermint marshmallow hot chocolate cookies, and they are to die for! I’ve included the link below:
https://tasteandsee.com/peppermint-marshmallow-hot-chocolate-cookies/

3. Do a drive-through light show: This activity allows you to get out of the house but stay safe at the same time. Just pile into the family car and go (most of these places charge per car, not per person). There are a multitude of light shows, but two that I would recommend are the Night of Lights at Creamy Acres in Mullica Hill, NJ (ends Dec. 24th!!), and Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, PA. At some places, you can order food and drink to enjoy as well. This can be a wonderful way to enjoy beautiful holiday lights!

4. Try making homemade ornaments! This fun, quick, and easy activity can bring a personal touch to your tree or your home in general (if you don’t have a tree)! Here are some ideas:
https://www.housebeautiful.com/entertaining/holidays-celebrations/g2818/homemade-christmas-ornaments/?slide=16

5. Watch Christmas movies! Who doesn’t like to curl up on the couch and spend the evening watching and re-watching their favorites?

6. Decorate gingerbread houses – I do this every year, and it never fails to cheer me up. All you need are your favorite candies, a piping bag with some icing, and gingerbread to make the walls and roof. You can buy a kit, or you can try to make the gingerbread on your own!

Below are some ideas that may require you to be inside or near other people (while following COVID-19 safety precautions). Depending on how comfortable you are being in the general vicinity of others, these activities may not be your cup of tea (and that’s okay)!

1. Go ice skating! In most places, you are required to wear masks and stay socially distant from those not in your party. There is a location I know of: Blue Cross RiverRink at the Delaware River Waterfront. I have been there, and it is a blast!

2. Bowling: This can be a fun evening out for some light-hearted competition! In some places, food and drink is served. Here are some bowling locations near Haddonfield: Pinsetter’s Bar and Bowl in Merchantville, NJ, The Big Event in Cherry Hill, NJ, or Bowlero in Turnersville, NJ. Throw on your bowling shoes and enjoy a game or two!

3. Head to the movie theaters to catch a new release! Local locations: AMC Marlton 8, AMC Cherry Hill 24, AMC Voorhees 16, and Cinemark 16 and XD in Somerdale. Masks are required indoors with the exception of when you are eating or drinking.

The holidays may seem a little crazy this year, but that does not mean we cannot do the holiday activities we love!