Celebrate this year’s Christmas festive in style as a family!

 

By Dickson Tumuramye

This year 2020 started like any other past years and no one could ever anticipate that what was happening in Wuhan, China would go viral around the whole world in a short time and even take long as it has become. By the end of March 2020, Uganda could never be spared from this COVID-19 pandemic. A lot has changed; the way of life including how church gatherings are conducted. By the month of November, the Christmas rhythms would be in high gear; melodies and adverts all over media, and everyone would be already planning for this end-of-year festive season.

In this year’s new normal, the Christmas trend seems to be shifting the goal. As the country is responding to the observation of SOPs across all sectors with related restrictions to prevent the further spread of the pandemic, there may be no usual joy during Christmas celebrations. Most churches will not be allowed to host big numbers of people and children are still restricted from attending church. This should never stop your family from celebrating Christmas festive and enjoy the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ, Boxing Day, New Year, etc.

There is a lot that can be done at a family level to keep everyone enthralled by all the days we always spend preparing and celebrating. You can think through it or pick a leaf from the following suggested ones;

Have a family service at home

Now that children are not yet allowed in churches or due to fear of getting exposed to the pandemic though they were allowed by then, you may not be comfortable talking your children to church when many people from all over will attend the service. Plan to organize your Christmas service at home on those special days like it’s done at your church. Involve all family members in taking lead on a certain activity on your programme.  This would mean that no one was left one of service and the whole family had prayers together. You can invite other families to gather together and have a joint service at home so long as you observe the SOPS.

Decorate your home

 Don’t hesitative to decorate your home with all Christmas decors even if we may not be allowed to go to church or other social gatherings. Create an atmosphere in your home that is Christmas and have it colorfully decorated and celebrated in style. Buy what you have been used to buying even when the public celebration mood may be very low. Choose to be different with your family.

Celebrating the individual achievements during this COVID-19

This pandemic gave us a lot of time at home with many learning new skills or starting out something new. We have had our children at home for nearly 8 months and most of them must have learned a new skill. You can use this opportunity to invite children and parents to showcase what they have initiated and innovated this year. This will encourage everyone to know that amidst life challenges, we can still thrive in different ways. But it will also teach something new to someone who too can start on it. This should be a time to motivate each other that yes, we can!

Have meal together

This may be an opportunity to plan and have a joint meal like never before. We always organize such moments before, but with a new era, you can plan it differently to make it unique. If you plan a joint celebration with other members, what if you ask dads to also engage in the kitchen and join others in preparing that meal? Don’t you think you will teach a lot to your children? How about baking some cake, chapattis, etc yourselves for that day? What if you plan a muchomo chama evening event from home, share drinks, and have some dances? There are so many things you can plan to have a meal prepared jointly and a colorful day.

Have time to speak to your relatives and friends via zoom, google meet social media, etc.

This pandemic has taught us that everything is possible including virtual meetings, celebrations, presentations, name them. You may be unable to travel to the village as you have always done. You may have missed some relatives and friends for a long. You may organize Christmas from home and invite others virtually from all over the world to join you for what you will have organized. The use of technology in this new normal has eased how people should interact with each other and carry on business as usual. Don’t be limited by anything but try to hold celebrations with your relatives/friends in other countries and see how they are doing it and connect with them to have it jointly.

Watching a Christian movie together

Other than visiting other people alone without your family and minimizing the risk of spreading the disease, you can instead organize a movie that you will be watching with your family daily during the festive break. You can ask your family members which kind of movies they would like to watch or what you as an organizer think is best for them and will surely deliver a good message you want to pass on to all who will be watching.

Have festive celebrations from your home

There are families which every festive, they are always celebrating with others from their own home or they always have an outing whether within or outside the country. It’s a moment to get of their house and fun somewhere else. Some couples interchange years from celebrations. If this year, it’s at a man’s place, next year it’s at a ladies place year in and out. They have never been alone at home as a family. This is an opportune time to do it as you, not as a bigger family. Let children know how it feels to do with tier parents only. Have that quality time from your home.

In nutshell, this Christmas should be celebrated like any other or better. Don’t lament that it is COVID-19, restrictions here and there and there is nothing you can do. Every challenge in life should create an opportunity for you to become better. Who knew even elections could be held virtually?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021!

The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach,
and a marriage counselor.