The holidays certainly look different this year, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the festivities of the season. From holiday decorating to baking with your immediate household or having virtual calls with long distance friends, there are many ways to safely enjoy the holidays at home.
Searching for ideas? Take a look at this list for some holiday inspiration during this unprecedented year:
Break Out the Decorations Early
Filling your house with holiday cheer can make you feel happier. In fact, this year, many people are choosing to deck the halls as early as possible in search of a happiness boost after a particularly difficult year.
So, go ahead and put out your favorite holiday decorations ahead of schedule. Get creative and put together a winter wonderland in the front yard or create a Christmas village in the living room. Even just adding a themed outdoor rug, bright seasonal wreath, and potted poinsettias to your front porch can boost your spirits — and your curb appeal.
Decorating can be a family activity, too. Have the kids help hang ornaments or string garland. Put on some holiday music, bake treats, and really soak up the season at home.
Bring the Scents of the Holidays Inside with a Simmer Pot
A simmer pot fills your home with the familiar scents of the season. Fill a saucepan with water and set it to simmer, while adding your favorite holiday spices and fruits to the pot. Let it simmer as the smells fill the air. Cranberries, pine needles, sliced apples, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla are popular varieties that will have your home smelling like the holidays in no time. Simmer pots are also a great tactic when you’re hosting an open house to sell your home. They make your home instantly feel cozy and welcoming.
Organize Dinners with Extended Family and Friends Over Video Chat
The CDC has recommended against indoor gatherings outside of your immediate family this holiday season. However, you can still have a memorable holiday by hosting group dinners and activities over video chat platforms like Zoom, Facetime, and Skype. You can even make the dinner feel more traditional with a beautiful table cloth, warmly lit candles, and a centerpiece. Encourage others on the call to have fun with their decor, too! After dinner, play online games, decorate cookies, or watch a favorite holiday movie while chatting together.
Make Holiday Crafts with the Kids
Holiday crafts are always a hit, but they can be an especially terrific escape in a year of virtual school and so much extra time at home. Go old school and have the kids make homemade decorations, like colorful chains and snowflakes out of paper. You could also make memorable, keepsake handprint crafts or fingerprint art. If you celebrate Christmas, consider letting each child or grandchild decorate their own miniature Christmas tree. They’ll love having their own tree in their bedroom to enjoy as the season progresses. You could also make a family wreath together to hang in the main room of the home.
Experience the Holidays via Drive-Thru
Driving around your neighborhood with your immediate family to enjoy the holiday lights is a safe, fun way to feel the spirit of the holiday season. Driving through holiday light displays put on by local communities can also be low-risk ways to experience some holiday cheer. Some towns are even bringing back drive-in movies and other socially distant, outdoor activities that are much safer than indoor experiences. Take a look at your city’s website for information on special events being planned or modified with the pandemic in mind.
Volunteer for a Non-Profit
2020 is a great year to contribute to your hometown. Use the Internet to browse local organizations who could use your help this holiday season. Sewing masks, stocking food pantries, delivering meals, or contributing to a group’s shopping wish list can make a huge difference in your community.
Planning Home Improvements This Holiday Season?
If upgrading the house is on your to-do list this season, contact Shenandoah Shutters. We’re located in Richmond, Virginia, and provide custom made, hardwood plantation shutters to residents in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. In fact, we’ve been proudly serving this area for 30 years.
At Shenandoah Shutters, our plantation shutters are handcrafted using the finest American woods, including yellow poplar, basswood, and specialty woods, such as cherry and oak. Your shutters will look less like a window treatment and more like a piece of fine furniture. They blend elegantly into any design scheme or home style. You can choose from rich stains, vibrant whites, or custom colors. You can even choose from a variety of plantation shutter styles, including contemporary and modern designs.
The Benefits of Plantation Shutters for Your Home
Plantation shutters aren’t just a beautiful holiday upgrade for your windows. They also come with long-lasting benefits. Plantation shutters are one of the few changes you can make to your home that actually increases its resale value. Plantation shutters never go out of style. Having them on your windows boosts your curb appeal and entices future buyers to consider your home.
Families with young children appreciate plantation shutters for their safety profile. Unlike blinds, there are no dangling cords or strings on plantation shutters. While you can certainly pair curtains with plantation shutters, they are gorgeous alone, preventing families from having to worry about loose fabrics, either.
The winter is a fantastic time to install plantation shutters, because these window treatments are also energy-efficient. In the winter, they keep the warmer air inside of the house. In the summer, they keep the cooler air inside. The result is often lower heating and air bills over time.
Make an Appointment for Plantation Shutters with Shenandoah Shutters
Are you considering plantation shutters? Want to learn more about our products? Give Shenandoah Shutters a call today at 1-800-733-1549. We’ve remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and are prepared to safely serve your family during this time.
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