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physically, we won’t let that get in the way of sharing special moments together.
“We’ll be using FaceTime to ensure relatives don’t miss out on any of the Christmas morning fun, and we’ll likely do the same during dinner too.
“Christmas is all about quality time and we’re making sure to maintain that, despite the circumstances.”
PLAY GAMES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY EVEN IF THEY’RE IN ANOTHER HOUSE
PLAY board games, or make a family board game together, adding in elements or questions that are only relevant to the players, suggests Ryan.
“You could send other families and friends the same board or card games you’re buying or making for your own kids, then you can play the games over video link if you’re not able to see them face-to-face this year,” she suggests.
GET SAVVY WITH THE VEG
ALL this video linking takes time, so make sure you save precious minutes elsewhere – particularly with your meal prep, advises Rachaele.
She says that she, like 13% of families surveyed by McCain, boils all the veg in the morning and then covers it with food wrap straight away.
“This means when it’s almost time to serve dinner, we don’t have the panic of ensuring all our vegetables are cooked at the right times or over boiled or undercooked,” she says.
“Because it’s prepared ahead of time, it’s simply a matter of quickly microwaving them before serving, then finishing off with a dollop of butter and some black pepper. They taste just as fresh and are really delicious.”
LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
RYAN says it’s important to remember that after such a bad year for the whole world, the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme means 2021 could be much better.
“The vaccines may make it possible to slowly think about seeing loved ones again and you can plan who you’re going to see and what you’ll do with them,” she says.
“You can play family dinner games that include questions like ‘What’s the thing you miss most about life before the pandemic?’ and ‘What’s the first thing you’ll do when all the restrictions are over?”’
Rachaele Hambleton is working with McCain as part of its Nation’s Conversations research series.
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