A COVID Christmas isn’t exactly an ideal situation. This time of year, we’re used to gathering around the fire with our family and friends. Thankfully, there is one thing that can change all of that; Zoom. Thanks to Zoom, everyone can join in the party.
If you’re not familiar, Zoom is a videotelephony company that allows it’s users to talk face-to-face in a group video call. It’s free to use, which is what makes it a great choice for a socially-distanced Christmas. If you’re looking to plan the best zoom party for your loved ones, look no further! We’ve listed our favorite activities you can do together (from a distance).
Plan Your COVID-Safe Christmas in Advance
Plan fun Christmas-related activities two or three weeks early. That way, you can plan how to coordinate with your family and friends on camera. Check what things your Zoom guests will need. Afterward, send them a festive care package with all of their party supplies. For example, if it’s bingo you’re going for, you’ll have to buy, or make, a bingo card and send it out to your members. If your friends love to cook, send them recipes and supplies so you would all be able to make Christmas treats together.
Ugly COVID Christmas Masks
Ever heard of the ugly Christmas sweater? We present to you the COVID Christmas alternative; the Ugly Christmas Mask. Have a contest with your friends and family to make the most ridiculous Christmas mask. You could glue on tinsel or hang small ornaments from the straps of the mask. The possibilities are endless.
Try making a Santa beard mask with everyone step-by-step while on camera. Here’s what you’ll need: a red mask, white cotton fabric, cotton balls, scissors, fabric glue, and safety pins.
- First, cut out a Santa beard shape on the white cotton fabric.
- Next, fabric glue the cotton balls onto the Santa beard and let it dry.
- Then, pin the beard onto the red mask.
- After that, make sure your mask fits comfortably and safely.
- Finally, be jolly and COVID-safe!
If you plan to wear your mask outside of the Zoom party, please make sure they’re breathable and functional.
What’s a Christmas Party Without Music?
It’s not Christmas without some bubbly melodies. Even though you won’t have the option to play them during the call, you could make a playlist on Apple Music or YouTube that your friends can tune in to when they’re preparing to add to the Christmas mood. You could even transform the Zoom call into Christmas Karaoke and groom a Mariah Carey among you.
Throw a Watch Party with Christmas Movies
There’s not much better than going to a movie with some pals at Christmas time. Luckily, there’s a number of sources online that will let social distance by hosting your own virtual watch parties. While you could even queue up some Christmas classics in your Zoom meeting, the picture quality isn’t always the greatest.
That’s why we suggest going with a streaming service. Streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, Scener, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Facebook all provide ways to create a watch party. Be sure to do a little research on how each one works a decide which one fits your family best!
What to “Serve” at Your COVID Christmas
Even though you may not be in the same room, you can still make sure your family is enjoying some classic holiday treats. You can share recipes with your family members before the party and make them on camera together. That way, you can feel one step closer to the ones you love. Try ‘serving’ these hot drinks to keep everyone warm:
How to Make the Best Hot Cocoa
Everyone’s favorite warm beverage is hot cocoa. Here’s our favorite recipe on how to make the best hot cocoa to share with your family during this COVID Christmas season.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of sugar, a pinch of salt, and about 2 tablespoons of milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved.
- Whisk in about a cup of milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot.
- Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and serve!
How to Make Mulberry Tea
Did you know Mulberry tea helps your immune system? It’s true! Knowing how to make mulberry tea is an important part of some holistic medicine practices. Not only that, but it’s a much under-appreciated fall favorite. Here’s how to make mulberry tea:
- Start by boiling 250 ml of water.
- Place one teaspoon of ground mulberry leaf into your pot. Let the water cool.
- Take water that’s just below boiling and pour a little water over the leave to rinse, and then remove.
- Fill your pot with water and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour, serve & enjoy!
How to Make Savory Tea
We know this might seem weird, but have you ever tried tea with butternut squash? We love this tea for one of your social distancing party ideas. It’s the perfect savory flavor to warm you right up for the holidays!
- Put two butternut squash in the oven at 356 F for two hours.
- Cut down the middle and remove the pulp, place it into a cheesecloth and press out all the juice.
- This should produce about 400g of juice.
- Add 2g lemon thyme, 5g sage, 10 g kombu kelp, and heat to 176 F.
- Mix for 15 minutes, sieve, and season with salt before serving.
How to Make Mulled Beer
For the adults, we always suggest a good mulled beer for a winter gathering. Bonus, the citrus and cloves are also said to have immune-boosting properties that may help with COVID Christmas concerns.
- Heat 2 tbsp of honey with a spot of ground ginger in a pot.
- Add 300ml of brandy and a liter of full-bodied beer.
- Add two cloves, a strip of lemon peel, two-star anise, a pinch of nutmeg, and three cinnamon sticks.
- Heat to below simmering for 15 minutes before serving.
Happy (COVID-Safe) Holidays
Keeping you and your family safe is the most important thing to us this holiday season. So we hope these ideas sparked a little holiday magic into your life. There’s no doubt that things are going to look different for this COVID Christmas. But with a little preparation and out-of-the-box thinking, we can have the happiest holidays ever!