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This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 4. After a year of navigating a pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, we’ve slowly learned to adapt to this new norm. Celebrations have been done remotely, and on many occasions, we had to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries without the loved ones by our side.
During holidays, we often tend to let go of our social-distancing efforts and mask-wearing, which can result in a surge of coronavirus cases in the holiday season. With slow vaccine rollouts and people forgetting that we’re still fighting a pandemic, celebrations need to be approached differently to help decrease new cases of COVID-19. With Easter just around the corner, below, we list down 7 tips for celebrating the holiday in 2021.
1. Stay Home As Much As Possible
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The best way to stay safe is to stay home. The CDC recommends that you avoid going outside as much as possible (1). It’s also best to limit gatherings with people who do not live with you to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus. Step outside only when it’s absolutely necessary, such as getting groceries or other personal needs that cannot be avoided. If you must step out, make sure you follow all the required safety steps and protocols in place, such as using hand sanitizer, wearing a mask, and maintaining a social distance of 6 feet.
2. Keep The Gatherings Outside
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While people follow the COVID protocols throughout the year, some families may celebrate Easter by stepping out and attending social gatherings. Below we list down the safety tips that need to be followed to keep the small gatherings safer:
- Limit crowding in the area where the food is served.
- Provide access to hand sanitizers at all times.
- Limit the number of guests that can attend the gathering at a time.
- Keep the gathering outdoors if possible.
- Provide a separate area for guests to wash their hands.
3. Get Vaccinated
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If you are eligible for vaccination, it’s best to get vaccinated soon to stay safe from the virus. The best way to be safe is to have all the members of your family vaccinated so that people can gather freely within the family and have small social gatherings. However, since most families are multigenerational, it may be a while before everyone is eligible for vaccination. Until then, the best thing one can do is limit social gatherings, wear a mask, and follow social distancing.
Tips For Celebrating Easter At Home
The pandemic may alter how we celebrate Easter this year, but you can still very much have a fun-filled Easter during COVID-19.
4. Be The Bunny
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A public egg hunt might not be the best option during a pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t play fun games anymore. Arrange a game of Easter bunny at your house by hiding the eggs at various nooks and corners or unusual places of your home. You could also fill the eggs with jelly beans, treats, or other goodies for a fun-filled surprise.
5. Easter Cards For Loved Ones
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A handmade card is a thoughtful and loving gesture for any occasion. You could create a simple card with colored markers, pencils, washi tape, and glitter. If you’re not so big on DIY, there are several templates available online where you could customize the cards and print them out.
6. Have A Virtual Family Gathering
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While it may not be possible to gather with all friends and family, you can still have a get-together by moving your celebrations online. You could plan a virtual Easter dinner, play fun Easter games online by mailing the printables and instructions ahead of time, or have a virtual Easter parade by asking friends and family to dress up in their Easter outfits.
7. Attend The Easter Church Services Virtually
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To reduce the risk of COVID-19, most churches are setting up their Easter services online. So, if your family has a tradition of visiting the church for their services during Easter, you could check ahead and find out if they offer services online. Some faith organizations that do not offer services online are organizing drive-thru Easter celebrations.
As we approach yet another holiday, we must be responsible and careful in how we celebrate Easter this year by following the proper protocols for COVID-19.
