A season of Many Smaller Celebrations

Celebrations are times and events that mark milestones, develop personal traditions & lighten our spiritual loads.  This year especially is a good time for small celebrations.  Despite the fact that Covid has narrowed our gatherings to small numbers; it doesn't mean that those gatherings can't be more frequent and just as festive. 

Gatherings are certainly most important in person because touch and atmosphere are an integral part of the festivities.  So is laughter and a sense of wellbeing and the tradition of gift giving.  So perhaps this year we can put our creative hats on and establish some combination of in person and video gatherings that will fill all those buckets.

We could actually spread out our usual holiday gathering by having sequential smaller gatherings with one part of the family and a week later perhaps another part of the family.  We can have lunch with those we are close to, that can't come to a larger gathering or that we may have a special gift to give.  AND after all is said and done we can invite the whole crew to a video gathering to reminisce, share stories and plan other celebrations as the winter months go by.

We can have a video gathering if we have a special recipe or gift idea where we would normally get together and make it.  We can make cookies, or other holiday favors and distribute them to families in need in our communities.

This year with many staying home and not traveling, it may be worth finding the community family that is right in your own neighborhood.  Wanna do a cookie exchange?  Everyone make the batch of cookies along with recipe copies to go with them.  Set them out in containers (bags or other festive coverings) at the foot of your driveway at a designated day and time (this may be weather dependent).  Everyone gets to walk the neighborhood with bags in hand, collecting cookies and passing each other on the street where they can share greetings as well as cookies.

Then there is the progressive dinner idea.  Idea #1 if there is someone who likes to do all the cooking.  Meal is made and portioned into individual plates and either delivered to family & friends or they pick them up.  Then a specific time is set for dinner and everyone can sit around their zoom or facebook and eat together.   Idea #2 is that different folks make different parts of the meal and then deliver them to one another.  This is done a few days ahead with foods that can be refrigerated.  Then a specific time is set for dinner and everyone can sit around their zoom or facebook page and eat together.

Or perhaps you'd prefer a holiday walk.  Something festive to drink in your spill proof water bottle.  Some festive attire, hats and sparkles.  Some sweet treats to share and your walking shoes or boots) with flashing lights.  Top it off with someone's phone playing holiday music and you are off together with distance between you and masks if you must.  The sky's the limit on this one.  If the weather is nice, you can stop to set up a picnic of finger foods or gaze upon a wondrous view.  Love, kindness and togetherness can be found anywhere.

The ideas are limitless, just let your uniqueness as a family, your creativity and your desire to be together be your motivation.

Whatever celebrations you are enjoying this season, may the light of His countenance shine upon you.         From all of us at Healing Leaves Center

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