Christmas 2021 is in full swing! Lights are hung, and holiday music can be heard in stores and on the radio. From Santa Claus and decorated trees to candy canes and mistletoe, American Christmas traditions are steadfast and diehard. Many families have prioritized their holiday festivities over COVID-19 mandates and recommendations. In spite of government diktats, Americans plan to celebrate the holiday as they always have – pandemic or no pandemic. Columnist Frank Crane was on to something when he said, “Christmas is the protest of the human race against gloom.”
Rituals Bring Peace of Mind
Rituals are sacred traditions that enhance the anticipation and fulfillment of holidays and special occasions. Imagine Christmastime without them. No Santa, no tree decorating, no family gatherings, no presents? Established routines provide humans a sense of control and stability. The structure and recurrence of traditions provide peace of mind and relieve anxieties. The season of Christmas is a soothing culmination of all the wonderful music, lights, food, and gift-giving magic that families embrace every year.
But It’s a Pandemic!
Since COVID-19 began, Americans have been told to mask up, wash hands, maintain social distance, and quarantine when necessary. Government officials went so far as to recommend avoiding family altogether for the season. Some well-behaved toy soldiers heed the orders, but the more rebellious population – fiercely misbehaving Elf on the Shelf types – refuse to ditch the usual Christmas operations.
COVID-19 was problematic during the 2020 holiday season. Still, more than 14 million Americans answered the call of Christmas and overcame the fears associated with the virus. The numbers have only increased for 2021, with at least 40% of Americans booking flights for the Christmas holiday. For them, the desire to experience Christmas in its entirety outweighs the risks associated with the pandemic.
Just Do as You’re Told, There’s Always Next Year
There has been no shortage of suggestions from the government regarding safety. A list of CDC guidelines on safe celebratory practices was published online in October 2021. But days later, the information was taken down. Among some of the “disappeared” directives, suitable for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, were:
- Host a video party
- Have a meal with people you live with
- Celebrate outside and be at least 6 feet apart
- Have a virtual dance party
- Watch virtual events
- Drive or walk through your neighborhood and wave to your neighbors
- Leave food and gifts at the doorstep rather than entering the house
- If celebrating inside, open the windows and doors
Just picture it: a cozy fire burning in the fireplace, a delicious meal on the dinner table, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” playing in the background, and, at the center of it all, your family – seen on a perfectly propped iPad – capturing all the warm, gooey goodness of Christmas on a flat screen. Sounds magical, doesn’t it?
Christmas traditions in the United States are as relentlessly unwavering as the government advisements against them. People will fight for the right to celebrate Christmas the way they have for generations. And no Bah Humbug pandemic is going to stop them.
~ Read more from Kirsten Brooker.
