Don’t invite COVID for the holidays

COVID is sneaky — you never know where it will show up. But you can reduce the risk of it sneaking its way into your holidays by following a few simple steps and finding new, creative ways to celebrate. This year, staying home and celebrating with those you live with is the safest way to avoid this super sly, ugly infection. Foregoing big celebrations will help ensure that you can observe the holidays with friends and family for many years to come.

If you’re a student returning home for the holidays

• Limit your social activities for two weeks prior to returning home.
• Explore options for testing prior to and after traveling, which is most effective when combined with quarantining for two weeks.
• Consider staying in a hotel instead of staying in the same house.
• Wear masks when you return home, even when you’re spending time with others outdoors.
• Socialize virtually with people outside your family’s household during your stay.

Fun, memorable ways to enjoy the holidays at home

• Ask friends and family to share their favorite holiday recipes, then make them and take photos to swap your successes (or fails). You’ve always wanted to make your favorite aunt’s cranberry Jell-O mold, right? Now’s your chance.
• Enjoy watching movies and playing games during the holidays. There’s nothing like a game of Yahtzee or Charades to bring people together.
• Walk, ride bikes or drive around town with cups of hot chocolate in hand and see the holiday lights.
• Set the table with your best dishes and get dressed up, as you would for a bigger holiday gathering. Or go crazy and wear period costumes to your holiday dinner – you do you!
• Plan video calls with family to catch up, play games, cook together or enjoy meals virtually. There’s a variety of games that can be played together online.
• Prepare and deliver meals, flowers or gifts to family or friends by leaving the items on their doorstep. We could all use a joyful surprise this time of year.
• Shop local but avoid crowds by shopping earlier or later in the day rather than at peak shopping times. Our local businesses need our support, now more than ever. Check out the Shop Local Holiday Guide.
• Create Oregon-centric or Lane County-centric gifts for friends or family to send. They may not be able to come visit, but you can still give them a taste of Oregon.
• Consider donating to a local nonprofit equal to the amount you will save by not traveling. Many nonprofits have had to cancel fundraising events this year and are seeing a greater demand for their services. Let’s support them however we can.
• Explore the outdoors, while staying close to home. Winter is a great time of year to go whale watching, snowshoeing or hiking. Wear layers and check road conditions at TripCheck.com. Here are some ideas for real adventures, real close.

For more information and tips on celebrating the holidays, visit:

Lane Transit District
Lane County Public Health
Oregon Health Authority
Centers for Disease Control