Holiday and Winter Alternatives for Social Distancing Gatherings

[JrzyGirl70]

I wonder what will happen with halloween this year? Will police department or neighborhoods have trunk or treat this year?

I hate Trunk or Treat! We went one year to my nephew's at his elementary school, the parents were calling each other on their cell phones, "go to the white Acura - they have ", go to the blue Explorer "they have ". Seriously you can't let your kids just go to each car and discover the goodies for themselves. Never again!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I hate Trunk or Treat! We went one year to my nephew's at his elementary school, the parents were calling each other on their cell phones, "go to the white Acura - they have ", go to the blue Explorer "they have ". Seriously you can't let your kids just go to each car and discover the goodies for themselves. Never again!

I've never heard of this, but I wouldn't like it, either. For many years, our subdivision has had a pre-trick-or-treat gathering in someone's garage or multiple garages/driveways. There's a costume parade around one or more of the cul de sacs, pizza, baked goods, candy, and activities like apple bobbing, bubbles, chalk coloring, etc. Whoever hosts the annual event plans the menu and activities. Many times, the kids get enough treats at the party that they don't necessarily trick-or-treat around the neighborhood. Sometimes we stay home and hand out treats, but more often than not, we go out for dinner and aren't around for trick-or-treat from 6:00-8:00 in our community. We won't go out this year, that's for sure, so maybe we'll get some candy in case kids show up.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Most of the neighborhoods in the area have already started with Halloween suggestions since door to door is not an option this fall.
Trunk or treat is possible with masks and kids socially distancing and mingling within their “pod” or household.

Suggestions include “scenes” depicting Fall or Halloween items with the kids acting out in the front yard for people to drive by or stand in chalk outlines areas on the sidewalk/drive/etc to watch.

No candy to be handed out.

 

[Tillicum]

This weekend we're building a roof over our back deck. We'll be using the clear corrugated roofing so the sun can make it warmer while we have family visits this fall.

 

[MimosaMornings]

This weekend we're building a roof over our back deck. We'll be using the clear corrugated roofing so the sun can make it warmer while we have family visits this fall.

That sounds like a great idea!

 

[MimosaMornings]

We are trying to figure out if it’s even possible to get together sometime during the holidays, the logistics give me a headache.
Get tested before the flight? Quarantine for 14 days after the flight and then get tested?
14 days in a hotel room with kids? $$$$
I don’t see that as a feasible option.

How do you socially distance (min 6 feet) inside with 10 people? Draw chalk circles on the floor? Two have hearing aids and I’ve watched them just sit there because they can’t hear the conversation.

 

[Tillicum]

We are trying to figure out if it’s even possible to get together sometime during the holidays, the logistics give me a headache.
Get tested before the flight? Quarantine for 14 days after the flight and then get tested?
14 days in a hotel room with kids? $$$$
I don’t see that as a feasible option.

How do you socially distance (min 6 feet) inside with 10 people? Draw chalk circles on the floor? Two have hearing aids and I’ve watched them just sit there because they can’t hear the conversation.

All of our family is local but I've pretty much given up on a big family dinner in the winter. It's just too risky any way I try to plan it.

 

[PayrollNerd]

We are trying to figure out if it’s even possible to get together sometime during the holidays, the logistics give me a headache.
Get tested before the flight? Quarantine for 14 days after the flight and then get tested?
14 days in a hotel room with kids? $$$$
I don’t see that as a feasible option.

How do you socially distance (min 6 feet) inside with 10 people? Draw chalk circles on the floor? Two have hearing aids and I’ve watched them just sit there because they can’t hear the conversation.

I would test beforehand but also have travel insurance as a back up plan. A house on AirBnB is always going to be better than a hotel. The price is comparable per night. Plus you're not right on top of each other. You usually have a yard and if the weather is good, set up a tent with a heater and meet outdoors.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Good ideas! I know others have parents who are isolated and unable to see family - normally they would see them every 3 months but it will be a year in December.
Going to brainstorm with my siblings.

 

[Deleted member 158085]

I thought I had posted this but I don't see it. There are about 18 of us, including my parents, for holidays. Normally, we draw names for Christmas at the Thanksgiving get-together.

This year, each family unit will meet via zoom on Thanksgiving and "draw" names and chat for a bit. Then a few days before Christmas we will deliver gifts so that we can open them together via zoom on Christmas.

 

[mickey2942]

The thought of this just makes me want to cry. Holidays are big in our extended family. Kids come home, and connect with their siblings. We usually have a big potluck with friends over. College kids usually spend the night, and they all go skiing the next day.

I guess this year, we will just make a few phone calls, and go to bed early.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

The thought of this just makes me want to cry. Holidays are big in our extended family. Kids come home, and connect with their siblings. We usually have a big potluck with friends over. College kids usually spend the night, and they all go skiing the next day.

I guess this year, we will just make a few phone calls, and go to bed early.

Mickey, this is just like our holiday. It was the one time that the kids, grandkids and cousins all committed to be there on the same day. From three states. It has been tradition now for 20 years! I am beyond sad. There is no substitute, sadly.

 

[Wild Rose]

Maybe this could be the year of the true meaning of Christmas. Pick some member(s)of the family or neighborhood beforehand that struggle and everybody pitch in for them big time. Send gift cards to our heroes working on Christmas. Or make a Christmas tree outside for all the cold critters. Leave off the holiday lights and make seed decorated ornaments and garland. I wrapped the bottom half of boxes in Christmas wrapping and piled them under the tree with nuts and seeds for the deer and squirrels and chipmunks. The snow showed all their footprints and wing prints. Read all your favorite xmas stories and watch your favorite xmas movies. Play holiday music in the house everyday even in your car. Don't forget to keep hot chocolate around for a little pick me up for you.

 

[dmac55]

Maybe this could be the year of the true meaning of Christmas. Pick some member(s)of the family or neighborhood beforehand that struggle and everybody pitch in for them big time. Send gift cards to our heroes working on Christmas. Or make a Christmas tree outside for all the cold critters. Leave off the holiday lights and make seed decorated ornaments and garland. I wrapped the bottom half of boxes in Christmas wrapping and piled them under the tree with nuts and seeds for the deer and squirrels and chipmunks. The snow showed all their footprints and wing prints. Read all your favorite xmas stories and watch your favorite xmas movies. Play holiday music in the house everyday even in your car. Don't forget to keep hot chocolate around for a little pick me up for you.

You made me smile so big♡

 

[Kavya01]

Maybe this could be the year of the true meaning of Christmas. Pick some member(s)of the family or neighborhood beforehand that struggle and everybody pitch in for them big time. Send gift cards to our heroes working on Christmas. Or make a Christmas tree outside for all the cold critters. Leave off the holiday lights and make seed decorated ornaments and garland. I wrapped the bottom half of boxes in Christmas wrapping and piled them under the tree with nuts and seeds for the deer and squirrels and chipmunks. The snow showed all their footprints and wing prints. Read all your favorite xmas stories and watch your favorite xmas movies. Play holiday music in the house everyday even in your car. Don't forget to keep hot chocolate around for a little pick me up for you.

Best ever post! And,for the kids and relatives that cannot attend the gathering this year-- you could encourage them to do some things like these on their end, and then, share the goodwill everyone has spread on Zoom or google meets or some such at a designated time during your holidays maybe

 

[MaryG12]

Do a live stream. Youtube, Facebook, many other platforms out there you can select from.

 

[mickey2942]

Mickey, this is just like our holiday. It was the one time that the kids, grandkids and cousins all committed to be there on the same day. From three states. It has been tradition now for 20 years! I am beyond sad. There is no substitute, sadly.

Yes. I don't even want to think about it. I am just hoping that we can go skiing this year. They closed the resort in March.

 

[Tillicum]

So we spent all day framing for the roof on our deck. We're doing a simple shed roof rather than a peaked roof. About half way through we realized with the angle needed for the snow to run off, the lower end is only 6ft 5 inches. One of my grandson's will only be able to stand up on the high end

 

[JerseyGirl]

I wonder what will happen with halloween this year? Will police department or neighborhoods have trunk or treat this year?

The Los Angeles County (CA) Department of Public Health issued a new set of guidelines for celebrating Halloween this year, and haunted houses, carnivals, festivals, and live entertainment are out, while trick or treating is "not recommended."

Instead, they recommend online parties, "car parades," and themed drive-in movie nights, among a few other more socially distanced options.

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/community/GuidanceHalloween.pdf

LA issues Halloween guidelines; NYC cancels parade

 

[Tillicum]

We built a temporary fire pit out of concrete blocks about 10 feet away from our covered deck. We've stocked up on marshmallows and hot dogs and looking forward to a visit with our kids and grandkids. I'm thinking we may need to enlarge the fire pit a little in order for everyone to be able to stay warm next to the fire while still maintaining social distancing.

Still trying to think of safe alternatives for visits during colder temperatures. For anyone who has an area outdoors to use them safely, there's a lot of fire rings, pits and chimineas available online.

We have a large log patio set I had planned to put on our covered deck but decided to use plastic, lightweight chairs and tables because they're easier to move and rearrange in order to social distance between separate households.