It will be a different holiday season. On that, we can agree.
No need to run down all the reasons why. We’re very much aware of each one, but Thanksgiving and Christmas will come nonetheless.
Neither set of my parents, nor my aunt and uncle, will gather around our farm table this Thanksgiving. Who will crack the corny jokes, or whip up the family dressing, or clap for the grandkids when they perform from the top step?
As we navigate the holiday seasons of 2020 together, maybe one of the following ideas can ease the disappointment and help make way for gratitude.
7 Ideas for Cultivating a Spirit of Togetherness This Holiday Season
- Choose joy. Lately, we’ve been talking to our grandkids about the half-full or half-empty scenario. Now I need to talk to myself. Yes, the holiday season will likely look and feel different. But, who will be around our table? Will it be a spouse, sons and daughters, a pup or cat that feels like family, or the warm presence of the Lord? We can choose joy over disappointment.
- Send cards. Share with those unable to join you why they are missed. Be as specific as possible. If you wish, use this Thanksgiving “In Our Hearts, You Are Here” download to color and send. (And here’s one for Christmas too.)
- Do those missing from your dinner table live nearby? Fill up plates with turkey and all the fixins’. Don’t skimp on the pie! Deliver with a smile and a holiday-sized air hug.
- Plan a Facetime or Zoom session ahead of time. It will give everyone something to look forward to.
- Donate. Give the money usually spent on additional groceries to feed those in need of a hot meal that day. (Bonus: Donate it in honor of those missing from your holiday table.)
- Create a table runner. Ask children and/or grandchildren to draw pictures and write positive messages on a Kraft paper table runner, as seen here at Hobby Lobby. Drop it in the mail by November 19th, or drop it by their home. Loved ones will surely feel your presence as they enjoy their meals.
- Create a “Why We Love You Jar”. Much like the “Gratitude Jar” recently shared in our Facebook Group, “Creative Pauses”, simply write the different reasons why you love a person (or couple) on slips of paper. Cut, place in a jar, and add directions asking her to choose one slip to read aloud each day beginning on Thanksgiving, and ending Christmas morning. Is there a better gift than knowing we are loved? (If your loved one lives out of town, mail the slips only.)
Will there be empty chairs around your holiday table this year? How will you choose to cultivate a spirit of joy and togetherness despite the disappointment?
Thank you for stopping by Creative Pauses from The Tiny House on the Hill!
Bi-weekly posts invite you to come in from the craziness of life, take a seat, and pause awhile, allowing your soul to be refreshed with Godβs truth and promises.
Each month, subscribers of this community receive a letter from The Tiny House on the Hill that includes:
- Practical but meaningful ways to draw closer to God
- Creative ways to show Godβs love to your family, friends, and strangers
- The latest happenings at the house, my books, and ministry
- What Iβm reading in the Book Nook
- A favorite (often family) recipe
- A FUN giveawayβ¦and more!
Itβs pithy but packed with grace-filled goodness.
So, come on over and sit a spell. Iβd love to get to know you!
Cathy, this was so timely! My family and I are not going to be getting together this Christmas (from 5 different states), and we had a zoom call last night. We are going to try to do a zoom call on Christmas morning and open our presents together via zoom so we’ll feel like we’re all together. Thanks for these ideas! Love this post, and it was perfect timing for me.
What a great idea, Crickett! I pray God will use the ideas to defeat loneliness and discouragement during this unusual holiday season. π Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Cathy-many can relate to this post, including me! Blessings to you !
Thank you for sharing, Marilyn! I’m excited to read yours/April’s Advent readings this season. π
Perfect timing! We expect a quiet Thanksgiving at home, just the two of us and the cat. π Thank you, Cathy!
Praying it’s a very special one, my friend. Thank you for taking the time to share!
As always, thank you for encouraging words!! These ideas are so helpful!
Letβs all pray extra for the elderly during these days of quarantine and isolation. Especially as they miss being with loved ones during the holidays.
Love you!
I agree, Kristi. It’s an especially difficult time for those who are quarantined and in isolation. Thank you for this reminder. Blessings, friend!
We are completely throwing out the turkey and serving up burgers and dogs this year! After a small gathering around our fire ring, we decided to gather in like fashion for Thanksgiving. We’re keeping it socially distanced and simple this year, and everyone seems quite joyful in spite of the break from tradition :-). I enjoy meaningful traditions, but it doesn’t bother me a bit to break with it so long as we enjoy quality time together. As always, I love every one of your thoughtful and fun recommendations!
That sounds delightful in every way, Charla!! And I couldn’t agree more — quality time together is the BEST tradition. π Blessings, friend.
Ms. Cathy, your kindness always blesses me richly young lady. What wonderful ideas on ways we can share our love this holiday season; albeit remotely. God’s blessings ma’am.
Blessings to you (and your sweet wife), my friend. I pray your holiday season will be filled with God’s richest blessings.
Cathy, thank you for reminding us that we are all in a similar place through the holidays this year. I love the first one, choose joy. If we do that, everything will be better! It will be just me and my sweet husband and we choose to be grateful for all we have. I hope to reach out to others who may be alone and stay busy with phone calls that day…plus continue to decorate for Christmas : )
Cynthia, I have no doubt you will reach out to the lonely. Love that heart of yours. π Blessings, friend.