by Georgia Kirkendall

We all know everyone needs to keep safe and vigilant throughout this holiday season, and sadly that means staying indoors and away from the hustle and bustle of winter festivities. Coronavirus (Covid-19) has lingered, despite excessive quarantining and crossed fingers, to the very end of the year 2020. However, there is hope yet of a celebratory December! Follow this guide to a fulfilling, germ-free holiday season. 

First and foremost, understand the boundaries of celebration. Everyone can have a successful holiday within their homes. While it might be tradition to go out and see family, accommodations such as zooming with family and adopting new rituals are an option. On December 13th, the Skirball’s annual Hanukkah festival will be livestreamed, complete with sing-alongs and the Hanukkah story told via puppet performance! Visit skirball.org for more information. Shalom Institute youth program will be having online activities available for every night of Hanukkah as well. 

The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) will be hosting a Kwanzaa virtual celebration on December tenth, and on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26, Creative Suitland Arts Center will stream live on YouTube. There will be a restorative justice presentation, storytelling, and a virtual marketplace for the support of Black owned businesses. If interested, visit https://creativesuitland.org/kwanzaa-2020. 

There are a multitude of virtual church services happening right now, and you can bet there’ll be a large selection on Christmas Eve. Join your church family on zoom this Christmas, or support another local church. For the kids missing Santa at the mall, they can still whisper in his ear their Christmas wishes! Sign up for a live phone call with Santa Claus himself at https://santasclub.com/. 

Huddle down this season with your family, and enjoy this winter to the best of your ability, given the crazy circumstances. If online media isn’t for you, eat a ton of food and enjoy the companionship of the few around you. Happy Holidays!