Tis the Christmas season and the time to be with family and do things with friends. Except, this year, with the Covid-19, we are finding that time has to include masks and more private settings. There are no Christmas office parties, and the family parties are to be immediate family and a max of ten people. Unlike other Christmas seasons, there are no Christmas Eve church services or Christmas services on Sundays at the churches. Everything being done virtually.
More Christmas cards are being sent out, and people are doing more things for others. This year I made some orange marmalade and triple berry jam to pass out to friends and neighbors, along with a few other things.
The other day I went to the local sweet shop, and I bought three large muffins, having them put into a nice white box. They wrote Merry Christmas on the top of the box for me, and I went on an adventure. I headed towards home, looking for the person who would receive this box of muffins. My neighbor was walking out to his mailbox, and I stopped in front of his house. I handed him the box of muffins, and I told him Merry Christmas. He told me thank you, and he could use them that day. A simple purchase of $5 or $6 made someone's day.
With Covid-19 rearing its ugly head this year, we all are making concessions we usually do not do. There was no big shopping day at the malls for Black Friday. It was off to the computer to do our Christmas shopping for our loved ones. Stores like Walmart started their Black Friday sales the first of November so people could shop early, and the people still shopping in the stores could start their Christmas shopping early. The post office tried hard to keep up with the rush of packages, but it failed in Columbus, Ohio, as the bins filled up and they could no longer keep things moving. They had to call in postal workers to help move out the packages, so people had them for Christmas.
As you drive through the towns and in the country, you see more lights, blow-up animals, and trees decorated around the houses. People visit the Armstrong Air and Space museum every night to see the Christmas lights and decorations. Homeowners decided to put out their lights in early November to light up the towns and make things a little happier, with the way Covid-19 has affected the country. It is nice to see all the lights and blow-up animals in people's front yards. I even put out more lights than I usually do. I bought a three-foot, four-foot Christmas tree from a dollar store and decorated them outside the house. It gave my landscape some height, and they are easy to move into the barn and cover with a 55-gallon trash bag.
Even with Covid-19, everyone is still moving around and shopping locally, shopping with friends. Masks are a must, mandated by the state of Ohio. The world is a little different this year, but we are Americans, and we can tackle this. We just put up more Christmas decorations, go to church virtually on Sunday mornings, shop online, and talk to our friends and neighbors on the phone and Facebook. We share our pictures and post pretty pictures to cheer up those who need them today.
Christmas is about Christ's birth, and this year, many people celebrate his birthday by giving to others. Pay for the person's meal behind you if you can afford it. Take some baked goods to someone older who may not be leaving their house due to Covid-19. Giving is important 12 months a year, but this year Covid-19 is bringing down many people for Christmas. Put out that string of lights to light up the world and let everyone know this pandemic is not bringing you down. Put the tree in a window for all to see. Celebrate the season and enjoy the holiday.
