No matter your family’s holiday traditions, there are sure to be some changes this season. Here’s how you can still enjoy festivities while social distancing:

Take Advantage of Technology
Using a smartphone, tablet or laptop, you can video chat with loved ones and do just about anything! Bake treats together, light candles, decorate the tree, or even sit and drink hot cocoa around a virtual fire.

If you’re used to gathering for worship this time of year, consider the low-risk option of attending a religious service online. Before the service, check if song lyrics are posted on the group’s website. 

Follow Party Precautions
As strange as it may feel to skip handshakes and hugs, it’s an absolute must for staying safe when interacting with people who don’t live at home with you. If you’re having a socially distant get-together, simply wave your hellos and holiday greetings.

Also, don’t share serving spoons at dinnertime. Instead, use your own utensils to fill your plate. Or assign one person to dish all the food while everyone waits outside the kitchen.

Calculate Travel Risks
Before boarding a plane or piling into a car, evaluate if it’s worth the trip. Consider the following:

• What’s the infection rate where I live?
• Is COVID-19 spreading where I’m visiting?
• Am I (or others with me) at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
• Will I be able to stay 6 feet away from nonhousehold members?