December 2, 2020. I’m back!
Two days down. Twenty-nine to go until this year of all years comes to a close and the next year of the 2020s begins.
Think back to last December. The anticipation of Christmas and the new year came and went like it always does. Little did we know that the next Christmas and new year celebrations would take on somewhat different tones.
Coronavirus arrived full throttle, it seems, in March. Two weeks quarantine, then it would go away, right?
Wrong.
It’s still here. It’s wreaking havoc on lives, families, events, schooling, sports schedules and more.
Now it’s wrecking our holidays. Some families celebrated safely for Thanksgiving and plan to do so for Christmas. Even as the holiday season unofficially kicked off in November, traditions have taken different turns.
My daughter’s dance company soldiered on with its annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” ballet. Lots of changes took place to ensure audience and dancers’ safety, from a different venue, props omitted and masks worn. It also enabled the purchase of a virtual ticket. The presentation will be available through a link during December.
Photos with Santa require little ones to sit away from the Jolly Old Elf, no laps. Some put Santa behind a plexiglass, while others have Santa donning a mask. Lots of improvisation, that’s for sure!
Town tree lightings have eliminated features, including trolley rides and crowds gathering. Pottsville, for instance, livestreamed its lighting in Garfield Square on the city’s Facebook page.
For parents welcoming the infamous Elf on the Shelf into their homes, the coronavirus opens doors for the character’s actions. One family put the doll in a glass jar, noting that Mr. Elf must quarantine for a few days before he can get into mischief! Another photo finds the Elf donning a mask in light of the pandemic.
Bottom line: Make the most of this holiday season as the pandemic persists. If anything, it will be one for the books!
The mom of a dancing teen and a tween who enjoys scouting and hockey, Katie Campomizzi-Clews is a copy editor at The Republican-Herald. She began her career at The RH as a staff writer following graduation from Lycoming College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with a minor in psychology. She shares her experiences of balancing work and parenting and takes a look at issues, events and trends concerning parents and children.
