5 WAYS TO STAY SAFE WHILE CELEBRATING IN THE NEW NORMAL

Chinese New Year is around the corner, and Hari Raya is in a few months’ time. Unlike previous years, now we have to be more vigilant in adapting to the new normal and celebrate responsibly. Check out these 5 tips on how to enliven your celebration and stay safe this festive season. 

1. SHOP ONLINE.

Shopping online is always a safer alternative during these uncertain times. From fresh produce to household products and new clothes, we can find them all from our local e-commerce stores. Some even offer free delivery. Not only it will greatly reduce unnecessary physical contacts, we can also compare prices easier and be a savvier shopper. It’s also much easier to decide on what to buy or which brand to go for when we have customer reviews at our disposal.

2. GO FOR DIGITAL GIFTING.

Festive season is a time for giving. Even though the pandemic has restricted us from reuniting with our family and friends from near and far, we can still order some festive gifts or care packages online and have them delivered to their doorsteps to convey our well wishes. Sending e-ang pows is also a fun way to spread cheer too, especially during the new normal when many are unable to meet face-to-face to give physical red packets.

3. TRY OUT NEW INDOOR ACTIVITIES.

Celebrating with those we live together is a safer choice. To keep everyone entertained within the same household, the key is to always try something new. From learning how to bake some festive treats to challenging our parents to some online games, the list goes on.

4. HOST A VIRTUAL REUNION.

Can’t travel overseas or interstate to reunite with your family and friends this year? No problem. Just host a virtual reunion to keep in touch. First, come up with a guest list. You can always choose to keep it small to get the conversations going. After that, set a date and time. Some of the more popular and preferred platforms for virtual gatherings are Zoom, Facebook’s Messenger Rooms, WhatsApp video call and Skype. What you need to do is choose one that your group of invitees are comfortable with and then send your invitation link prior to the virtual reunion. If some of the invitees are less tech-savvy, go for WhatsApp video call.

5. COOK AT HOME OR ORDER FOOD DELIVERY.

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve always been advised to dine at home or order food delivery to avoid crowded eateries as well as physical contacts. Moreover, when we cook our own meals at home, we have better control over the ingredients that we use. After all, nothing beats a heartwarming home-cooked meal during the festive season. If you or your family members would like to take a break from cooking, just order online and get your food delivered to your doorstep. Many restaurants and hotels are quite creative with their menus and festive specials too. Give them a chance and support our local businesses whenever we can.

Ultimately, don’t let the pandemic dampen our spirits for celebration. Wishing everyone the best of health. Always stay safe and celebrate responsibly ?

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READ MORE: 5 Tips for Planning Your Next Holiday Amidst the Pandemic