The holiday season has arrived, and this year things are already looking different. Use this time as an opportunity to continue to position your organization as a pillar of strength for your community and help celebrate the holidays in a safe and inclusive way.
Outdoor Holiday Celebrations
Offer an outdoor holiday-themed concert or movie to your community while following proper pandemic protocols. If weather permits, have families sit safe distances away from one another on blankets or chairs that they bring. Instead of offering refreshments, encourage families to bring their own and not to share. Offer small bottles of hand sanitizer if you can, and encourage masks whenever possible—you can even have extra masks on hand just in case. “Even outdoors, require guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking,” the CDC recommends.
Plus, the CDC also states: “If setting up seating under a pop-up open air tent, ensure guests are still seated with physical distancing in mind. If outdoor temperature or weather forces you to put up tent sidewalls, consider leaving one or more sides open or rolling up the bottom 12-inches of each sidewall to enhance ventilation while still providing a wind break.”
Another thing to keep in mind while hosting an outdoor event is to be aware of noise levels. You don’t want the sound to be so high that people have to shout over one another.
If the weather is a bit too chilly, have the concert be drive-in style so families can stay warm and cozy in the comfort of their cars. If there are members of your community who can’t make it to the event, stream it live on platforms like Facebook for all to enjoy.
Drive-In Holiday Movie
If you have access to a drive-in movie theater within your community, rent it out and screen a holiday favorite for your members. Get them involved and send out a poll to see which movie they want to watch depending on what is available at your local drive-in.
Encourage community members to bring their own snacks and drinks, and if they must leave the comfort of their car, make sure they do so with a mask. Be sure to offer small bottles of hand sanitizer or have extra masks available in case they’re needed.
Winter Wonderland Light Display
One of the best parts of the holiday season is seeing the amazing light displays within your community. Get in touch with members and see if they are putting lights on their homes. Offer to map out routes so revelers can drive by and see the incredible decorations on display.
If you want to take it a step further, set up an amazing—and socially distant—light display at your facility or even at a local park. Encourage your community to mask up and visit while staying 6 feet apart.
Video Calls From Santa
Waiting in long lines at the local mall to sit in Santa’s lap is likely not going to happen for many children within your community this year, so why not bring Santa to them? Set up a video call from Santa to families with children in your community. Send out communication to community members, and set up dates and times for Santa to call. Watch the magic unfold as kids light up with glee when they see jolly ole Saint Nick is calling.
Virtual Visits for Seniors
Partner with your local senior living facilities to send videos and warm wishes from people in your community. It is likely that senior facilities are limiting visitors, and those living there would love to see some smiling faces—even virtually.
This could be a tricky task to set up, but with the right tools (a computer or smart device) and some thoughtful planning, it can be done, and the reward is even greater.
The Spirit of Giving
Bring your community together by helping out members in need. This year has been particularly hard for a lot of people who have been laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic, and it is imperative that we do our best to take care of one another.
Encourage your community to donate food, toys, clothing and even money, so the members of your community who have been hit the hardest can have a happy holiday season. Empower your members to bring donations that have been cleaned and sanitized, but also re-clean and re-sanitize them as they arrive.
ACTIVE’s Camp & Class Manager solution makes these efforts much easier and more effective. The all-in-one solution offers your organization the ability to create professionally branded, eye-catching emails with easy-to-use templates, as well as send them to current and potential members. With Camp & Class Manager’s integrated social media, you will be able to grow your registrations and membership with ease. Talk to a specialist today!
ACTIVENet will be there for you when it comes to your organization’s needs. Whether that means engaging your community, streamlining operations or managing participation, our software is here to help your organization perform at its best.
