WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 17, 2020 25
COVID-19 restrictions mean the
holiday season will be diff erent
this year, but that doesn’t mean
you have to become a Grinch. Although
extensive travel, large group
gatherings and many traditional
activities can’t happen, you can fi nd
imaginative ways to be just as joyful
with a dash of creativity. In fact, many
people are embracing this as an opportunity
to discover new ways to
make one-of-a-kind memories with
family, friends and coworkers.
ALTERNATIVE
APPROACHES TO WORK
HOLIDAY PARTIES
The culmination of the work year is
the annual holiday celebration. This
is typically a time to enjoy great food,
fun games and cheers to a job well
done. However, with the pandemic
causing many offi ces to go remote as
well as restrictions for restaurants
and group gatherings, this year will
have celebrations of a diff erent kind.
Fortunately, technology is making
many things possible.
Employers want to show employees
they care and are expected to shake
things up in creative ways. This could
include sending meals to everyone
through home delivery and then
meeting online to enjoy them together.
This might be a video gathering for
an ugly sweater contest paired with
fun games that can be played digitally
such as bingo and holiday trivia.
Maybe it’s hiring a live musician to
play and everyone can sign in for a
virtual happy hour while enjoying
the customized tunes. How about
karaoke?
ONLINE SHOPPING
EXPECTED TO SOAR
Last year, 56% of consumers reported
they would make their holiday
purchases online vs. at retail stores,
according to the National Retail
Federation. The experts at Purchasing
Power - an employee purchase
program - have witnessed this trend
growing exponentially since March
and expect at-home shopping to soar
over the upcoming holidays. With so
many people continuing to work or attend
school at home, the most popular
(and practical) gift s to be purchased
and delivered right to people’s doors
include new laptops and home electronics,
personal health and fi tness
equipment and ergonomic offi ce furniture.
Of course, toys, video games
- there are many new products and
gaming systems this year for kid and
adult gamers - and small luxury items
will still bring smiles to those longing
for unexpected surprises during the
holidays.
With money being tight for many
families this year, employers want
to help by off ering things like yearround
fi nancial programs that allow
workers to purchase items without the
stress or high-interest rates associated
with credit cards. Ask your employer
about voluntary benefi ts like Purchasing
Power, which enables you to
buy name-brand consumer products
and services and pay over the course
of a year through automated payroll
deduction, with no interest, fees or
required credit checks. Learn more
at www.purchasingpower.com.
TRAVEL LESS, MAKE
MORE MEMORIES AT
HOME
With airline travel at a minimum
and health top of mind, many people
won’t be traveling to bake holiday
treats and celebrate good tidings in
person. Consider alternatives and
plan a family video chat time to bake
cookies together. Select and share a
recipe ahead of time and then sign on
to your digital device to talk with each
other as you prepare dough, bake and
enjoy treats. This might be the perfect
time to tackle that traditional family
recipe that’s been handed down for
generations and see who proves most
successful.
For younger children with shorter
attention spans, you may just want
to plan a virtual cookie or cupcake
decorating party. Or perhaps you get
craft y and make some hand-cut snowfl
akes or colorful paper garlands. As
you add the perfect touches to holiday
treats, exchange memories of holidays
past and even pull out old family photo
albums or videos to reminisce, make
sure to enjoy a few treats together and
take video stills to capture these special
moments for future celebrations.
Finally, wrap the fun up by reading a
traditional holiday book to little ones
before bedtime.
The 2020 holiday season is sure to
be unique, but “diff erent” can still be
good. With an optimistic mindset and
clever ideas, you’ll put a new spin on
family and workplace traditions and
make some lasting memories.
— Courtesy of BPT
HOLIDAYS
How to put a new spin on holiday celebrations
/www.purchasingpower.com
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.purchasingpower.com
