Rather than canceling holiday plans due to COVID-19, modify your traditions

The upcoming holidays are no time to let up on the health and safety practices that help protect people from COVID-19, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against traveling for Thanksgiving. But rather than canceling holiday celebrations, a psychology professor at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences suggests families and individuals celebrate safely. She and her colleagues have several tips.

“More than any other time in recent history, a semblance of normalcy and a human connection is what so many people crave now,” says Associate Professor of Psychology Darby Saxbe and director of the USC Center for the Changing Family based at USC Dornsife. “Even during a pandemic, the upcoming holidays can offer that.”

While the CDC has published important health and safety guidelines to improve safety for those who plan to celebrate in-person, experts with the Center for the Changing Family have five additional wellness tips.

• Don’t skip it

  Particularly if Thanksgiving, religious holidays and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have been important to you and your family, this isn’t the year to forsake them — as long as you celebrate safely.

  “It may be particularly difficult to find gratitude this year, considering 2020 has been a particularly dark, challenging and tragic year for so many,” said Amy West, professor of clinical pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine of USC. “But it’s the adversity we’ve faced that makes it even more important to gather with loved ones, either safely in person or remotely using technology.”

• Add a virtual twist to a familiar tradition

  For virtual celebrations, use a new video conferencing platform to put a fresh twist on a familiar holiday tradition.

  “Mentimeter is a video conferencing platform that enables you to create a word cloud about what each person is thankful for,” said Marian Williams, professor of clinical pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine. “As people fill in their thoughts, the word cloud evolves, creating a family activity that’s easy to use and fun for all ages.” It’s also free.

• Over-communicate expectations for in-person gatherings

  When gathering in-person with people outside your household, follow CDC guidelines and ensure everyone has advance understanding of the safety protocols.

  “Everyone has different expectations and levels of comfort with regard to social distancing practices,” said Hannah Rasmussen, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Psychology’s Clinical Science program at USC Dornsife. “So, if you’re hosting people or organizing a gathering, be explicit about your safety practices, like wearing a mask when not eating and drinking. It will reduce stress and tension for everyone. And if you’re a guest of someone who hasn’t discussed their safety practices, ask them in advance.”

• Tell kids why this year’s celebrations are different

  “If you’ve got kids and you’re not gathering with extended family as you typically do, discuss openly and honestly with them about why the holidays will be different,” said Dorian Traube, associate professor of social work with the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

  She also suggests that parents maintain as many traditions with their children as possible, such as reciting what each person is thankful for, making new year’s resolutions, or baking cookies or pies together.

• Remember the spirit of the holiday season

  Rather than comparing this year’s celebrations to those of years past, focus on things for which you are thankful and remember those in need.

  “The holiday season is an occasion for those who have much to be thankful for, to think of those who have little,” said Clare Pastore, professor of the practice of law with the USC Gould School of Law. “I hope people will reflect on whether we as a society are doing all we can for our most vulnerable families and to consider how we can strengthen and improve the social safety net.”