Talking to Your Family About The Holidays

Gathering with family this year will have to look a little different — here’s how to talk to them about it

The above is an image of a girl in her living room sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine in one hand and a laptop computer in another hand.

TEXT: It’s the time of year when we all want to gather with our family and friends. But this year, with COVID-19 cases on the rise — we will have to find other ways to be together. The CDC has advised people to be careful as small gatherings seem to be an important contributor to the spread of the virus. In Canada, cases spiked after their Thanksgiving holiday in October. Holidays are a time of reflection and gratitude, and we want to protect the ones we love and are grateful for.

Sometimes it can be hard to talk to family about why you’re staying home this year; so here are some tips:

The above image shows a girl in Providence, RI calling her parents in Philadelphia, PA telling them she can’t come home. The girl says “Hi guys, I love you, but I want to keep you safe.” The parents reply “It’s okay honey, we understand”.

TEXT: Make it about everyone’s safety. Some people might have a difficult time believing the virus is deadly. Try to remember that this is a big change for everybody and that change can be hard for a lot of people. So when talking to family, keep that in mind and avoid negative comments. You love them and you want to help keep everyone safe. Cases are rising and it is safer if we stay apart this holiday.

The above is an image of a girl in her living room sitting on a sofa with a glass of wine in one hand and a laptop computer in another hand. Above her is a banner that reads “Gathering Virtually”.

TEXT: Talk about creative alternatives. Think about new ways to gather virtually. Perhaps a virtual dinner where everyone makes their own meal or orders food. You might even consider having the same dish. If you have a TV show, movie or sporting event you watch every year, why not tune in at the same time? If you usually play video or board games; find a game you can play with each other online. For your video calls, have a little fun with it — use filters or virtual backgrounds to add some levity.

The above image shows a girl walking her dog and wearing a mask; as she approaches the front door of her home. She is talking on the phone and saying “If only we were at a different place with the pandemic, we would have more options”.

TEXT: Find common ground. Everyone agrees the situation is far from ideal — we are all going through a difficult time. It may help to talk about these feelings when having a conversation about the holidays. Use phrases like:

“If only we were at a different place with the pandemic, we would have more options”

“I’m really sad that our country hasn’t figured this out, I miss everybody”

“I wish we had leaders who would keep us safe, it really hurts to see the cases spiral out of control again”

The above image shows three friends having a meal at a table filled with food. They are all holding glasses to toast. Below them is a banner that reads “Together in Spirit … See you soon.”

TEXT: If they aren’t responsive; that’s okay. As much as we want others to take the virus seriously, we can only control our own actions. Communicate the risks you feel are most important and set your boundaries. Show your love and affection for them and tell them you’ll see them in a few months when it is safer.

One way of showing you care is to send cards to people; whether those are physical or e-cards. We designed a few cards below for you to send to family and friends to express your love and appreciation.

To download: right click the image and save.

To download: right click the image and save.