What do you think the holidays will be like this year?

[Anonymous]

I don't see why Halloween would be an issue. Could wear gloves and a mask if that seems necessary ("I'm a surgeon for Halloween!") but it's an outdoor activity. Let the candy sit three days before touching it.

We normally just see local family for Thanksgiving; I assume that will be the same unless there is reason to be more cautious than we are being now.

At Christmas, my non-local family will be very sad we don't see them. We were supposed to travel to them this year, but I don't see it happening.

If things get worse and we are all locked down in the Nov-Dec timeframe that will in some ways be easier for my family to handle. They get very jealous of local family (my ILs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just visited my parents in New England a few weeks ago. We self quarantined and got tested before we left, then drove straight up with only one bathroom break. It was totally doable and what we'll do for the holidays unless things change drastically. Thanksgiving we do with local relatives that we see now anyways.

Halloween I'm most nervous about, TBH. My 5 year old is a Halloween fanatic and already planning our family costumes. If I have to tell her Halloween is cancelled, kid is going to be crushed. We would probably go to the inlaws or cousins in the suburbs, assuming it's not cancelled everywhere.

We just did the same in New England. Fretted forever about it but all tested negative, and powered through the drive. So worth it to see relatives! We won’t travel at the Holidays.

[Anonymous]

Halloween will be fine, you can figure out how to do it safely.

I’m already bummed about Thanksgiving and if there’s a vaccine I’m hoping we can do it in the Spring. Christmas we usually travel so it might be nice to be at home but I assume no extended family.

[Anonymous]

We usually host extended family for Christmas. I expect we'll still host my parents who are vulnerable but will insist on coming, and not my MIL.

I am worried about Halloween. My 4 year old has been planning costumes (a different one almost every day, but still) and going to see Santa. She's been telling us what she's going to ask Santa for for months now and I'm worried she's not going to get to do it.

[Anonymous]

Peaceful.

[Anonymous]

Regarding Halloween, I agree it's the easiest holiday to do safely (masks and gloves, etc.), but it also takes community buy-in. If nobody in the neighborhood puts their light on, are you supposed to wander the street with disappointed kids? We live in DC proper and couldn't leave a bucket of candy out without it getting swiped in minutes, so really need neighborhood engagement. I'm sure it's going to be discussed and debated to death come October, so as long as we don't have another stay home order, hopefully we'll be able to figure something out.

[Anonymous]

We’ll try to make it as festive as possible but it won’t be the same. My older child has a birthday in October and this year it will be without friends or his most beloved former nanny (now a dear family friend and Godmother to our youngest).

We’ll get through.

[Anonymous]

Oof. I hadn't even thought of the impact on being able to visit Santa. That's a bummer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We normally travel each Thanksgiving and each Christmas, so this will be the first time my kids have been home for them.

Sounds a nice silver lining! Especially for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oof. I hadn't even thought of the impact on being able to visit Santa. That's a bummer.

Explain that the mall is closed because of the virus so you have to write him a letter instead. I’m totally sure there will be someone selling Zoom calls with Santa. No photo op, but gets the job done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oof. I hadn't even thought of the impact on being able to visit Santa. That's a bummer.

Explain that the mall is closed because of the virus so you have to write him a letter instead. I’m totally sure there will be someone selling Zoom calls with Santa. No photo op, but gets the job done.

We have a neighbor who puts up a North Pole mailbox in early December. Santa writes back to every child. We will go this route instead of visiting this year.

I plan to go all in on the comfortable and warming parts of the holidays. Make it cozy, focus on the sacred, and try to make it seem like a gift to have gotten through the year healthy and with jobs (knock wood).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oof. I hadn't even thought of the impact on being able to visit Santa. That's a bummer.

Explain that the mall is closed because of the virus so you have to write him a letter instead. I’m totally sure there will be someone selling Zoom calls with Santa. No photo op, but gets the job done.

Yeah I can explain it and there'll be a substitute, but it still sucks. My kid's just the right age to be really excited about it, and she probably won't get to do it. She understands about the virus (really well honestly, for being so young), but understanding doesn't mean you're not missing something, and we've all missed so much these past months. Nothing to be done, but it sucks.

[Anonymous]

There is a drive through lights display in Centreville, VA. it seems like the perfect "social distancing" holiday event to me.
https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a drive through lights display in Centreville, VA. it seems like the perfect "social distancing" holiday event to me.
https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights

We go to this every year (live nearby, in Ashburn). The kids like it. There's usually a little carnival-type area set up at the end of the drive (think hot cocoa, funnel cake, a handful of overpriced rides, fire pit for roasting marshmallows, etc), but I doubt they'll do that this year. The lights are well done, though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just visited my parents in New England a few weeks ago. We self quarantined and got tested before we left, then drove straight up with only one bathroom break. It was totally doable and what we'll do for the holidays unless things change drastically. Thanksgiving we do with local relatives that we see now anyways.

Halloween I'm most nervous about, TBH. My 5 year old is a Halloween fanatic and already planning our family costumes. If I have to tell her Halloween is cancelled, kid is going to be crushed. We would probably go to the inlaws or cousins in the suburbs, assuming it's not cancelled everywhere.

We just did the same in New England. Fretted forever about it but all tested negative, and powered through the drive. So worth it to see relatives! We won’t travel at the Holidays.

This. Test, quarantine, then power through the drive. I already got an Airbnb near my parents' house and honestly really looking forward to having a little breathing room rather than all piling in to their home. We'll stay a little longer than usual so that the kids can have some extra fun in the snow. Might even rent them some cross-country skis to try out in the yard.