“There’s no place like home for the holidays” has never rung truer than in 2020. Due to the pandemic, Christmas in this year will look different for millions of families — including many of our Lake Forrest Prep families. And while it might be a hard season, these activities can help your family keep the Christmas season merry and bright!

Try a cozy Christmas make-ahead breakfast. 

Start Christmas morning off on a magical note with some yummy cinnamon rolls or easy biscuits. By preparing them as a family the night before, you’ll be ready to pop them into the oven and have them warm and ready to go as you open presents.

Track Santa Claus online. 

For 65 years, the Santa Tracker from NORAD has kept close tabs on where Santa is around the globe. Children young and young at heart love watching Santa’s sleigh as he makes deliveries to far eastern countries before moving closer and closer to their hometowns. Pull up the free tracker, and watch your child’s excitement grow as Santa comes! 

Read a Christmas classic together. 

Swap out another holiday movie for a cozy night of reading. Classic holiday tales (and even more modern twists) can spark your child’s imagination about the Christmas season. Some books to try are How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, and The Night Before Christmas. 

Have a sing-along for the whole family. 

Bust out the Christmas carols, and dust off the karaoke machine (if you have one)! To quote Buddy the Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Have a fun night of picking out your family’s favorite Christmas songs, or find an online sing-along. If your family has access to Disney+, give streaming Disney’s Holiday Sing-along a try. 

Commemorate the year with an ornament.

Salt dough ornaments are a great way to remember even the hardest of years. Plus, they’re a fun hands-on activity your whole family will enjoy. From start to finish, salt dough ornaments take about two hours to finish. Add in some paint and glitter, and your kids will have a creative way to be festive and add more decorations to the Christmas tree.

Host a virtual family event. 

If you’re looking for a way to connect with family and friends you might not see this season, set up a Zoom call! Simply set up a link, share it with the family who will be joining your virtual festivities, and schedule a time to talk. While it’s not quite the same as seeing family face-to-face, it’s a great way to spend time with those you love. 

At Lake Forrest Prep,  a private school in Orlando, we hope you and your family stay safe and healthy this Christmas break! If you’re looking for more resources, be sure to check out our blog.