CREATIVE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS IN A YEAR DOMINATED BY COVID
In a year filled with changes, the holidays too will necessitate adaptations of our beloved annual traditions. Fortunately, the spirit of the holidays remains ever present as evidenced by how elaborately decorated out cities and towns. Thousands of trees have been shipped and put on display in city and town centers. Christmas tree farms and garden centers too are selling out!
With the extra time banked from limited social gatherings and travel, more time is being spent at home decorating, baking and working on long-overdue home projects. One fun decorating idea is to use wrapping paper to wrap bedroom doors and complete them with ribbon and a bow. Another idea ripe for full-family participation is constructing homemade gingerbread houses! Instead of buying pre-made kits, consider making the dough and frosting yourself! The culinary process surrounding gingerbread baking has the ancillary benefit of making the house smell fabulous at the same time. To kick off creative juices, we have included one of our favorite recipes below! For adults, creating a unique holiday cocktail, blending various flavors and options such as eggnog, cranberry, or peppermint could result in a tasty concoction.
The holiday season too is historically filled with get-togethers and gatherings of friends and family from both nearby and distant locations. It is also a season marked by giving. Volunteering in an era wrought with pandemic has become more challenging, yet opportunities to give time (and talents) exist and can be discovered by reaching out to local food banks and town managers who may have short lists of options on file. Should you enjoy cooking, Lasagna Love may be an opportunity. It is a nationwide grassroots movement of kindness connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. Volunteers are matched weekly with families that need a helping hand, giving both and easy and purposeful avenue for giving within your own community while making a dent in food insecurity.
With social-distancing remaining a large part of our everyday practice, Zoom calls have become more popular. To spice up holiday "visits" (via Zoom) families and friends can consider wearing holiday pajamas, Santa hats or even ugly sweaters! Technology is also an advantage this year as a multitude of virtual games are available online that group gatherings can enjoy including Christmas bingo and virtual holiday scavenger hunts. Visiting Santa and enjoying an annual picture from Santa's lap isn't an option this year, yet the Santa Club has made available a virtual call experience.
As many of us dress up for the holidays, COVID-19 has definitely changed the types of outfits we don. Cocktail Sneakers provide options for women who want to dress comfortably and stylishly--whether at home, at work, while volunteering or running errands. Our Weekender and Professional are perfect options as they come in different colorways and designed with luxurious materials--suede and leather--elevating any outfit whether pajamas, skirts, leggings or dresses! Our red Weekender is especially popular this time of year and the patent leather used in the Professional delightfully reflects holiday lights, adding a bit of unexpected "bling" to every holiday outfit.
However you opt to celebrate the holidays this year there is no doubt that creativity will play a key role. From our studio to your home, the Cocktail Sneakers team sends warmest holiday wishes. Please stay safe, have fun and don't forget to tag and share any festive ensembles you put together with your Cocktail Sneakers! (#CocktailSneakers).
Happy Holidays!
