2020 has been a lot. I don’t even think I need to explain why or go further than “it’s been a lot.” As the holidays creep upon us, it’s easy to let the weight of 2020 bring us down at a time when we should be lifting each other up. In many ways, the various holiday traditions we carry on are intended to do just that – lift each other up with happiness, joy, and motivation for the next year.
Granted, it might be harder this year to get excited about some of those traditions. After all, this is the year we learned the term “new normal” and were forced into embracing change. Have no fear though! I’ve found a way we can harness the reality of 2020 and put some flair on some of the common traditions we’ve held over the years. This year, we do it 2020-style!!
2020 New Tradition: Matching business attire
Every holiday, matching PJs fill the stores and homes across the country. They are great for family photos, perhaps a few laughs, and they are certainly comfy. But 2020 has been a year of comfy clothes. We’ve all been in leggings, PJs, sweatpants, or some weird combination of all three for roughly 8 months now. This holiday season, it’s time to get back to work and outfit the entire family in matching business attire. Just imagine how cute those family photos will be with the whole gang decked out in business casual. After all, nothing says “comfortable” like khakis and a button down.
2020 New Tradition: Holiday live-action plays
My family looks forward to holiday movies each year. The Grinch, Elf, Christmas Vacation, the list goes on and on. However, in 2020, all of us have been stuck inside enough and watched enough movies already to kill a cow*. This year, I’m calling on everyone to get off the couch, outside the house (safely) and re-enact your favorite holiday movie as a play. Think of the joy you could spread by getting the whole family to act out Home Alone while your neighbors watch. Bonus points if you act out Die Hard. Is it a holiday movie? Where do your neighbors stand on the debate? Who knows! But 2020 is the year to find out so get started and let’s bring the big screen to real life.
2020 New Tradition: Forget the coffee. Buy someone their internet connection for a month
Every holiday season, the Starbucks drive-through is a place filled with joy. Car after car is buying the person behind them their drinks, and similar friendly gestures happen in other drive-through lanes and restaurants across the spectrum. But this is 2020. Sure, coffee and food are great, but do we really need those things as much now that we’re all working from home? Coffee is practically free here! Instead, buy something people really need while working from home: a strong internet connection! You can do this by calling any internet provider in your area and offering to pay one person’s bill at random. It will really impress somebody and make their day because nothing says “happy holidays” like a free month of Wi-Fi.
Oh, and if you’re stuck on the whole liquid-purchase idea, then at least buy somebody their alcohol instead of their coffee. That’s something we’ve all bought (and drank) more of in 2020.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas for a new twist to 2020 holiday traditions. I’m off to find some business casual clothes and an acting coach. I don’t want to get shown up by neighbors again.
Until next time!
*That’s not a saying, but it should be. I’ve heard scientists studied the effects of movies on cows and apparently the cows have very little patience for cinemaphotography. It’s a shame. I’ve also heard studies have shown people make up their own studies to sound fancy.
