{"id":12236,"date":"2020-12-04T18:22:36","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T23:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=12236"},"modified":"2023-02-10T13:54:15","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T18:54:15","slug":"dont-let-distance-deter-you-from-celebrating-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/04\/dont-let-distance-deter-you-from-celebrating-the-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Let Distance Deter You From Celebrating the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"virtual<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Event planning is my happy place. In fact, when my husband tried to throw me a birthday party for a milestone age<\/a> that shall not be mentioned, I couldn\u2019t let him. Well, actually I tried for about a week, but sitting on the sidelines was killing me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I appreciated and acknowledged his effort but then promptly shoved him aside because he was in my wheelhouse and throwing a party is my jam!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was one of the best birthdays I have ever had despite reaching a pretty significant milestone age.  In fact, one of the gifts I received was a tower of toilet paper with a sign that said, \u201cHoly $#^t! You\u2019re old!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we look back at that day, we joke about how that gift was probably the most valuable item I received because two days after my birthday, the Shelter in Place order was issued as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, well, we know how that went!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eight months later, we\u2019ve all somehow stumbled through a strange new norm of working from home, wearing masks in public and standing 6 feet apart just to talk\/mumble to our neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically the month of December would be another busy time for me because I\u2019m juggling not only the office party<\/a> but a separate gathering with my in-laws and my side of the family, as well as coordinating parties with our different group of friends. But this year, the world has come to a screeching halt, so now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjust – Recalibrate – Celebrate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The question is not what<\/strong>, it\u2019s how<\/strong>.  The answer is that you adjust and you recalibrate so you can still celebrate. We can\u2019t forget the reason why we gather — it\u2019s to reconnect with friends and family, so as far as I\u2019m concerned COVID-19 isn\u2019t canceling anything! It\u2019s just challenging us to find another way to reach out and share in the gift of giving from a distance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I plan, I operate on the who<\/strong>, what<\/strong>, when<\/strong> and where<\/strong> format of communicating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Holiday Parties Can Be A Great Alternative With The Right Plan and Attitude<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The premise of event planning, sans face-to-face gatherings, is essentially the same. You need a date and a time to meet up but this time it\u2019s online. That\u2019s your WHERE<\/em><\/strong> and WHEN<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO<\/em><\/strong> will be there for your designated virtual party date depends on what group you\u2019re planning for. You can still shoot out an email, pick up the phone or even get fancy and send an invite in the mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT<\/em><\/strong> is the fun part. All the things that you typically do to prepare for the holidays can still happen, but you can expand upon it so it works well for virtual gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n