an apt ornament created by daughter’s friend

Back again to my blog after a short uninvited change to my routine. No screen time and lots of rest. Thankfully I had kept my pattern of early shopping so all I had to do was wrap gifts close to the day.

December 2020 had to be the oddest Christmas in current memory. When we couldn’t gather as we normally would indoors for dinner and gifts, we met outdoors in our yard, fully masked, on a cold winter Christmas Day afternoon. Then with the idea we’d used at Thanksgiving to each make a share of the dinner, we planned to exchange parts of the dinner so we all had a Christmas meal at home, prepared cooperatively.

The children played in the fresh snow together, but we adults stood apart, dressed for the weather, almost. My husband felt the cold. No winter snowpants to keep him warm. (That matter has since been remedied.) We shared our part of the dinner and our families went home. After dinner we had a short Zoom meeting to see our grandchildren open their gifts.

Always have fun together

Even though we would not have people over, except for quick at the door distanced visits, we’d chosen to decorate outside …

house decorated outside

our 2020 decorated tree

and inside, for day and night.

Christmas tree lights reflected in the front window panes

With only short at-the-door distanced visits or phone calls, we still celebrated Christmas the best we could. The lights on the tree brightened the evenings, the Christmas cards that arrived in the mail were cheery and bright, and well wishes of friends and family helped us through this odd and considerably less active Christmas season, all within the necessary health guidelines.

Christmas treats, a special card and that reindeer ornament a gift from family members

I hope you had a way to celebrate too and that you stayed healthy and safe.