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Writer's pictureJulia Rowland

Embracing The Holiday Spirit While in Quarantine


The cold winter season will allow others to stay snuggled up indoors participating in fun winter activities. Photo by Julia Rowland.

The moment that everyone has been waiting for will soon come to pass as the year 2020 will finally, mercifully, come to an end. The long-awaited New Year fast approaches, providing a glimmer of hope during the upcoming Christmas season. Still, as everyone eagerly waits for the ball to drop and announce the official end to such a shocking year, this does not mean that all woes will end when 2020 does. The beginning of a new decade still means possibility though, so why not look for some enjoyable activities to serve as distractions while cooped up inside this winter.


1. Indoor Snowball Fight

Not having snow this winter doesn't mean that no one can have snowball fights. Photo by Julia Rowland

Although a white Christmas may sound like just the event to close out this year, North Carolinians may not want to get their hopes up. “Snowfall generally will be below normal, with the best chance for snow in early January,” said Almanac.com. Still, the lack of snowfall shouldn’t stop anyone from embracing some of the best parts of winter, and neither should quarantine. Indoor snowballs may be the ideal solution for a quarantined, snowless winter. Yes, indoor snowballs now exist. Made from a cotton-like synthetic fibrous material, most indoor snowballs feel soft and dry while also maintaining the feeling of crunchy, densely-packed snow. Indoor snowballs can be purchased on Amazon.com or at numerous retail stores like Marshalls and Bed Bath & Beyond for those who want to have a friendly family snowball fight. Pro tips: put valuables away and use pillows to create pillow forts. May the games begin!




2. Make an outdoor bonfire

What could be a more pleasant experience during a cold winter than starting a fire with family and friends outside, while maintaining social distancing, of course? Prevention.com states, “Cuddle up by the fire with a few friends and some warm blankets for an outdoor experience that's as magical as it is cozy. All you need is some light hot chocolate and maybe skewers lined with marshmallows for s'mores. Just add some raspberries and dark chocolate for a healthier version of the classic.” A winter bonfire may be the perfect way to create fond memories, laugh with friends, and enjoy a moment of peace in a consistently chaotic time. The smell of a fire, taste of s'mores, and sound of laughter represent the epitome of the holiday season.


3. Have a holiday movie night

Perhaps the perfect way to celebrate winter this year without stepping foot outside can be found on Netflix or Hulu. If choosing to host a family movie night, one may want to look into buying or renting some of the classic, unmissable movies that instantly puts viewers in the holiday spirit. From The Grinch (pretty much any version) to A Christmas Carol, watching these movies as a family will almost guarantee a night of laughter, nostalgia, and holiday cheer. If deciding to have a streaming party with friends via Teleparty, it may be fun to choose a more recent holiday movie to share that new experience. Movies like Elf, The Christmas Chronicles, Noelle, and A Christmas Prince (which does sound a bit like a Hallmark movie, but can be found on Netflix) would all make excellent candidates for deciding on which movie to watch. Or, better yet, why not just watch numerous movies and make it a real holiday celebration? Either way, the experience would certainly be both entertaining and amusing for those involved.


4. Do Some Holiday-related Activities

For those bored with staying safe indoors and looking for winter activities to do, there can be numerous ways to spread holiday cheer and have fun inside. For example, if the ceilings in one’s room look a bit drab or in need of some decorations, why not cut out some paper snowflakes and hang them on the ceiling using tape and string? It may seem like an elementary school art project; however, the result can end up being quite impressive. Check out an easy tutorial at omiyageblogs.ca. For a tasty winter treat, perhaps making DIY hot chocolate stirrers could be the perfect craft, according to Countryliving.com.


The cold winter season has slowly but surely made its way to NC, providing perfect opportunities to take advantage of the weather and stay snuggled up indoors. By partaking in some fun winter activities or spending time with family instead of going out in public, the reduced contact that may come from this winter can end up being very fun while simultaneously saving lives. It may not be a white Christmas, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be an enjoyable one.

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