2020 hasn’t exactly been a bonanza year for merrymakings. Thus far, we’ve had everything exciting cancelled and replaced by Zoom drinks. With uneven moods, undercut budgets and an uncertain future, a Covid Christmas dinner around the corner is expected to be quite lacklustre.
Furthermore, there are unending questions. How do you throw a party with the ever-present possibility of another lockdown? Should you even be celebrating? Does anyone have any ounce of enthusiasm (or energy) left in them after almost a year of being stuck at home, trying to concoct that perfect cup of frothy coffee? Can we get a Dalgo-NO!?
Feeling whipped aside, there’s no denying that Christmas is still the most wonderful time of the year—where the only F-words that reign supreme are Family, Friends, Fun and Food. And to help you bring some cheer back into your life during this jolly ol’ season, here’s a list of Covid Christmas hacks to execute with family and friends that’s food-filled as well as fun, but most importantly foolproof for a successful Christmas dinner.
1. Secret Santa Shipments
Imagine the delight on your mother-in-law’s face when she gets the humongous Festive Colony Hamper ($398) from Colony Bakery
Now, since it’s a Covid Christmas, you can be as covert as Santa when shipping presents. This ding-dong-ditch (some call it ring-and-run) gift approach is never more apropos (and less a faux pas) now as it adheres to social distancing practices. Simply choose your victim/recipient (or draw names for a gift exchange using online Secret Santa generators) and start planning deliveries.
With easy food delivery one-stop-guides like Oddle Eats, you don’t have to search high and low for the perfect gift. This could be one-offs (a Festive Colony Hamper from Colony Bakery at $398 perhaps?).
Or better yet, deliver a gift every day over the course of the 12 days leading up to Christmas. To spice things up, why not present 12 of something for gift number 12, such as a box of a dozen mini cupcakes with 12 Christmas themed toppers ($22) by Whips Cupcakes; 11 of something for gift number 11, such as 11 Christmas tree-shaped chocolate lollipops ($1.50 each, also by Whips Cupcakes). Check out our other stories on Oddle Feeds to get inspired for your gift countdown!
2. Holiday Magic Indoor Picnic Parties
Take your festivities into the great outdoors—while indoors. Your living room will likely be already somewhat decked out, with lots of greenery including that Christmas tree and holly branches. So all you have to do is grab a giant blanket to sprawl out on and a few pillows for comfort for a Christmas dinner made better.
Besides that, the possibilities are endless. You can choose to channel a Parisian picnic a la Emily in Paris with a Maison Eric Kayser wicker basket of baguettes ($4 for 250 grams), a cheese platter of Camembert ($12.90 for 250g), Brie ($12.90 for 200g) and Comte ($16 for 200g), all paired with a bottle of Krug Cuvee NV ($520), no less.
Or soak in the colours of a souk-styled set-up, with bright tapestry and trippy lights, accompanied by a bowl of hummus and fresh Pita or Lafa bread ($10, from Wild Honey). Grab a cuppa Moroccan Mint Tea ($8) while you’re at it. Don’t forget to snap a flat lay of the spread for the ‘gram.
3. Not-So-Covid-Themed Gift Ideas
While it is important to still put on your Christ-masks and use hand Santa-tisers, may we suggest gifting a different kind of mask and presenting some other alcohol to keep the soul sane instead. Our team suggests stocking up and stuffing those stockings with face masks (of the skincare variety and not surgical sort) or eye masks for your beauty-conscious loved-ones, since they’ve probably already ordered a bunch of cute face cloth coverings to last them another year.
And for those relatives who cannot stop saying “I never thought in my entire life that my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth”, go ahead, give them what they want. Better still, DIY a label that says, “Not hand sanitiser” and stick it on the wine bottle to make things crystal clear.
4. Virtual Bake-Off Contest
A fun idea for the entire family, which can be virtually broadcasted via Zoom too, is to host a bake-off competition à la Netflix series, Nailed It! You can challenge other households to recreate this Signature Homemade Gingerbread House ($52 for 1kg) by Pan Pacific Singapore or this slightly simpler reindeer-renditioned Christmas Brownie ($33) by Rive Gauche to spice up your Christmas dinner!
5. Evoke Past Holiday Destinations
If you can’t go to New York again for Covid Christmas, bring the Big Apple to your ho ho home. Go on virtual tours and provide the kinds of activities you did, like listening to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the food you remember consuming, like Smoked Cheddar Corn Dogs ($15) and milkshake, which can be easily ordered from local joints such as OverEasy. Rinse and repeat for any destinations you want to recall and revisit.
Bonus Hack! Plan early and SAVE
Because you’ve read this far, we’re gifting you an extra tip on how to save money this Christmas. Pre-order your Christmas dinner party food and gifting hampers and save up to 25% off. Yes, that’s some serious moolah, and it’s really that simple.