My first memory of Christmas is visiting an amusement park with my Dad and brothers. It was so much fun. And as a child, I would always cry whenever it is time to leave a fun place.

There is just this joy and spark that Christmas brings. No matter how lonely or stressful the year may have been, once it is Christmas season and I play any Christmas music, my mood changes and I just feel the cheer in the air. Amidst COVID-19 and the new restrictions, I know we may think it is a weird Christmas this year; however, below are a few tips on how to make it memorable:

• Make sure you decorate your apartment. It does not have to be over the top, you can just do something to add some colour to your house. For me, I got the LED strips because I get lazy putting up the tree and I am too short to hang up any decor…lol.
• Have your music and movie collections ready (you can start binge watching from the 24^th and continue this on Christmas day).
• On Christmas morning, put on something comfortable: a nice onesie, Christmas sweater, or a robe.
• Plan a virtual Christmas date with someone or a group of people. Get together on Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp video, and you can dress up and make the most of your Christmas. If you do not have a virtual date planned, continue with movies and music.
• Do not forget to have some hot chocolate with marshmallows, have a nice dessert around like some tiramisu cake or cheesecake.
• Take photos with your home decor, it will be a reminder after all this is over that you made it.
• It is a season of love and giving; reach out to someone, send someone a gift, or even order them some food and have it delivered at their doorstep.

It has been a year and I know it may seem so sad because your plans got cancelled and you feel the walls closing in because you are usually not at home or by yourself on a day like this, but the fact that you are alive means you have a reason to celebrate.

Please make this Christmas a memorable one for yourself by creating your own tradition. Be joyful and thankful. Look at how Christ came, it was not conventional, and he did not have an entire coming to America road-clearing-entourage entry. He was born in a manger, yet the entire world felt His presence (joy). So, I pray that you have the joy and happiness associated with the birth of Christ.

Compliments of the season.

Merry Christmas!