DON’T LET COVID-19 PLAY GRINCH THIS YEAR

With the pandemic having wreaked havoc across the planet, everything that we took for granted appears to have vanished on us for the foreseeable future. So here we are, looking back longingly at the “old” ways of doing things. Having family over for a big festive meal, hugging, just hanging out together. The things we grumbled about, the frenetic shopping in the last days before Christmas, the crowds, the long line-ups – even the incessant Christmas songs that every mall and shopping centre felt obliged to play starting November – what wouldn’t we give to exchange the empty, echoing spaces with some of those?

“Tanya has been asking if Santa can still visit us,” says Mamta Desai with a rueful smile.

I tell her that I hope she said Santa is unstoppable.

When everything around us is changing, when we don’t know from one day to the next if we can meet two people or 10, when fear of catching an infection makes us give neighbours a wide berth as we pass them on the street, and when so many are struggling to make ends meet, there are still ways to keep the magic alive for little ones.

We can still bake cookies and drop off trays for neighbours – after assuring them that our hands have been properly sanitized. We can buy extra groceries and drop off bags at food banks or shelters where they might help bring a little cheer.

We can still watch Christmas movies together. My favourites are The Sound of Music and Sleepless in Seattle. The former was a staple. I would corral our sons and we’d sit down with giant bowls of popcorn to watch the hills come alive with the sound of music. Year after year after year. Until they begged for mercy.

Then they grew up and found their own favourite Christmas movies. Die Hard being one of them. When I expressed shock and horror, they defended their choice by reminding me of the ending in which Bruce Willis staggers out safely, just in time for Christmas!

We can string up lights and enjoy walks or drives in the evening, admiring the displays in the neighbours’ yards (and make mental notes for how we can up our game next year!).

We can open gifts with immediate family members, and set up yet another Zoom call with loving grandparents who can’t attend.

This is not about rescuing a festival, it’s about finding new ways to celebrate. About finding joy in the things neither Grinch nor a pandemic can steal – like the sheer glee that lights up a little one’s face when they spy a package under the tree.

So yes, Tanya, Santa will be there.

Even if he has to do a curbside drop-off!