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Let's face it: this year, the holidays are going to look a little bit different. While we can still count on watching Christmas movies, baking our favorite seasonal treats, and procrastinating on our holiday shopping, we're not having the large gatherings we look forward to all year long.
In order to bring back some of the magic of the holidays, we asked our editors to share how they're keeping their family traditions alive and well this year. Keep reading for our best ideas to spread the holiday cheer this year.
Teach a Family Member One of Your New Pandemic Skills
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"Throughout the pandemic, I've been fixated on trying out new recipes and teaching myself new kitchen skills. Above all, I am most proud of learning how to poach an egg properly. This holiday season, I plan to spread the joy by virtually teaching my little brother, who lives with his family in Chicago, how to poach an egg. Is there a better gift than a new life skill that lasts a lifetime?! I'm so sad that I won't be able to see my brother for the holidays in person, but I'm really looking forward to our virtual egg-poach-athon." — Mélanie Berliet, general manager
Create a Signature Cocktail
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"For me, it just wouldn't be the holidays without a signature cocktail. In recent years, I've become the go-to mixologist for family functions. Even though my family won't all be together this year, I'm sending everyone a cocktail recipe, so we call all celebrate together, even though we're apart. My current favorite is a bourbon sour — bourbon, fresh lemon juice and a dash of maple syrup is all you need! I'm going to add a cinnamon stick for extra pizzazz." — Caroline Utz, associate editor
Host a Virtual Holiday Movie Marathon
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"Holiday movies are one of my favorite parts of the season, but every year I find myself rushing to binge my favorites in the final days before Christmas. This year, since my schedule won't be packed with parties and shopping, I'm looking forward to starting my festive movie marathon on December 1. In lieu of our usual holiday gatherings, I'll be organizing a few virtual movie nights with my family. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to this, but I will be prepared to use the mute button should my mom continue her annual tradition of reciting every single line during Elf." — Karli Bendlin, email editor
Try a Virtual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
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Marija Kovac/Stocksy
"My family and I have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest each year. We are super competitive and even go all out with a 'fashion' show. I even announced my baby's gender when I was around six months pregnant in 2018—and I'm still a little salty that I lost that year (by one point!). So this year, I will be organizing a virtual contest that will still be full of creativity, laughs, and love." — Ginger Cowles, senior editor, The Spruce
Create a Noche Buena Playlist
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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
"We celebrate Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) as if it was New Year's Eve! There's a ton of dancing, and even a countdown to Christmas! It's going to be very different this year. To keep spirits high, I'll be emailing a special Noche Buena playlist and start an email chain of happy memories with our extended families — along with a video of our daughter learning salsa!" — Jamie Abarca, editorial projects coordinator
Send Family Cookies
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"Every Christmas with my family we make my great-grandmother's molasses cookies together. It's a very vague recipe, one of those that you just have 'to know' what the dough should look like. And because of this, I'm really the only one that has gotten good at making them. I plan to make a couple batches and send to my family all over the country." — Margot Cavin, photo producer, The Spruce
Host a Virtual DIY Craft Session
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Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
"My besties and I are hopping on Zoom to do some DIY holiday crafts together. On the roster is rosemary candle holders, tassel ornaments, and pine cone garland! What's better than crafting while enjoying the company of your loved ones? Maybe adding wine, which will most likely also happen." — Amy Cooper, photo editor
Handwrite Some Holiday Cards
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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
"I love using the holidays as an excuse to spend some quality time with my favorite people, so it's tough that this year is going to be a pared-down holiday season, without the parties and get togethers I'm used to. Minted sent me some of their new card designs from this year, including their really stunning Minted x The Met Museum Holiday collection, so I'll be sending those along with a handwritten note inside to let my friends and family know I'm thinking of them. While it certainly won't replace face-to-face time, it feels like a nice way to make this year's holidays feel a little bit special." — Kate Geraghty, commerce editor
Organize a Virtual Gift Exchange
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"Seeing the look on someone's face when they open your thoughtful gift is one of the best feelings in the world. I didn't want to miss out on that just because my family can't get together in person this year. We decided to organize a 'Secret Santa' style gift exchange with our (quite large) extended family. Each person is assigned another person to buy a gift for and send it via the mail anonymously. We are all going to open our gifts together via Zoom, so we don't miss out on the joy! It's nice because this year we got to include the entire family, even the folks who aren't local who we don't usually see over the holidays." — Emma Glubiak, social media editor, The Spruce
Or Host a Virtual "Secret Snowflake" Exchange
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"This year, my friends and I are putting a virtual spin on our holiday tradition of Secret Snowflake gifting. We always use a site called Elfster, which helps us all draw names and set a dollar limit and date for the gift exchange. This year, I'll be sure to order a gift online and ship it directly to my chosen person, and we can have our reveal on Zoom with some cookies and cocktails." — Mia Ingui, editorial assistant
Send Everyone a Special Treat
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"I've been making the same pumpkin bread recipe for the holidays for years and at this point, I'm pretty much not allowed to show up to family gatherings without it. Since my family will be all over the country this year, I'm sending everyone a loaf, so we can all celebrate together no matter where we are." — Jamie Weissman, associate commerce editor