Holidays have been very different since the start of the pandemic. Families have settled in spending their vacations at home and friends doing virtual parties. It was different but everyone has to make do with what they have to make holiday celebrations fun and exciting!
After 2020, with the advent of the vaccine and people getting vaccinated, cases lowering, face-to-face for both schools and work in other countries, and tourist spots opening again, some have started planning to spend this year’s holiday season differently.
If you are from the Philippines like me, we might not have many options, but let me share with you some ideas on how you can spend this year’s holiday season with your friends and/or family in this new normal:
1. Stay at home with your family. Make it more memorable by doing themed parties this Christmas or New Year. You can plan with your family to dress up and decorate your place.
2. Do virtual reunions. Ask all your relatives around the world to have a Zoom party. You can also do virtual-themed parties! This is a perfect opportunity to hear from your grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins.
3. Check-in with the whole family and celebrate the holidays in local hotels or resorts. Forget about food preparation during the holidays. Think about a relaxing time with the whole family to relieve all the pent-up stress at home.
4. Go on a road trip! If possible, do land traveling with family and friends to tourist spots and resorts near your city. There might be hidden gems that you haven’t discovered yet.
5. Air travel is already possible now in some places. You might be able to safely go to some countries or even local tourist destinations from other islands in the Philippines. There’s a lot of plane tickets on sale.
Well, there are many other options on how to spend this year’s holiday season, but these are some that you might want to consider. And if you are planning to go on a road trip or air travel, just like any holiday planning, do your research first regarding your place of destination. This time, make sure to include policies and protocols related to health and safety guidelines imposed by the Department of Tourism and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Each place has a different approach and standing with regards to this. Places in your area might be open already but in other cities, they might still be closed.
Consider also our minors. We love spending the holidays with the little ones, but some establishments might not be open for them, So, make sure to ask before booking any place. If you are planning to bring pets, then ask about them, too.
And in case you are planning to travel outside your city or the country, don’t forget to get travel health insurance Philippines to keep yourself and your family safe from some of the unforeseen but possible inconveniences and emergencies that can occur when traveling. Protect yourself and have worry-free travels that offer the most comprehensive international travel insurance available in the Philippines. Check out Malayan Insurance Travel Master in case you are looking for one.
Our new normal might not be the thing we expect, but just like I always tell my children, let’s make do with what we have. This is what we have right now, let’s maximize it! And with that, I hope you enjoy your holidays!