Category Archives: Marriage & Family

Surviving the Holidays During the Pandemic

2020 Newsletters, Budget, Home, Marriage & Family, Shop Smarter

This has been a year of stress and unexpected changes and as we approach the holiday season it’s looking like it will be a very different one than most people are use to. While many are simply ready to have 2020 end as quickly as possible, others are trying to make the most out of their end-of-year holidays. Here are some things to consider as you begin to make plans.

Limited travel options

In 2019 a record number 115 million Americans were expected to travel by car, airplane, and train to visit friends and family or head out of state for an end of year vacation. This year will be different. If you have already decided to just stay home for the holidays you’re not alone. A recent survey* found that 60% of Americans have decided they won’t be traveling to see family this holiday season, and one in three don’t have plans to celebrate at all.

Not everyone is planning to stay at home. While some people have decided on smaller, more local family gatherings, one in four surveyed say that they are planning a non-traditional holiday away from home. Some simply want to break up the monotony of being stuck at home for months, especially those with kids under 18. 80% of those traveling said they will be driving to their destination while one in five will fly.

If you are planning to travel make sure  you understand  the COVID restrictions in the area you want to visit.

If you are planning to travel make sure that you understand not only the risks involved, but also the COVID restrictions that are in place in the area you want to visit. With infection numbers rising and people moving indoors for the winter months, local governments have been increasing restrictions on travel and modifying safe group size numbers which may hinder travel for those still willing to make the journey.

Some states are restricting travel for their residents to a certain mileage from their homes and others like New York are requiring out of state visitors from specific locations to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Most areas have a mask mandate in place but enforcement varies widely. Check the state health department for current travel restrictions.

You should also keep your plans flexible and only book hotels and travel with free cancellation or change fees. For larger vacations travel insurance is a must this year in case someone in your party gets sick. You’d hate to get to your destination and then not be able to get on your return flight because of a fever or cough. Also make sure you have emergency money on hand for a few extra days of hotel rooms and food. For more information see the CDC guidelines for holiday travel this year.

Mental health

For some people even in a normal year the holidays are far from jolly. The winter months have always seen a spike in depression, suicide, domestic abuse, divorce and anxiety. This year if you add in the high unemployment rate, political conflicts, the fact that many people have already been isolated for over 7 months, and higher than normal stress levels especially among problematic family members, you have the formula for a potential mental health crisis.

Make sure that you are taking time to relax and reduce expectations for yourself this holiday season.

Make sure that you are taking time to relax and reduce expectations for yourself this holiday season. If you typically struggle with anxiety or depression make sure that you monitor yourself and do what is necessary to keep things low key.

Watch your diet, try to get some sun every day, and be sure to exercise as you are able. If you are a friend or loved one of someone who struggles remember to do your best to stay positive and help them participate at their own pace.

Remember to check in on neighbors who might be alone and struggling. If you can, take some time to write notes to people thanking them for their friendship or service throughout the year. It’s amazing what even a small card saying that they are appreciated can do for someone who is struggling. This site has some great resources for navigating the holidays. If you suspect that someone is truly struggling, don’t hesitate to find them some professional help.

Charitable giving

Most non-profit charitable organizations plan to have donations drop by as much as 20% this year. With tight budgets most American households are barely holding their own. But if you do feel like giving this year make sure that your donations are going to solid organizations who will use your money to do the most good. Check out www.charitynavigator.org, a website which categorizes and rates charitable organizations to help you decide where to donate. You can check out their 4-Star Charities list and sort by interest categories, locations, and rating details.

Gifts

Gift giving this year is going to present its own challenges. Not only are family budgets struggling from unemployment and debt due to the shut-down, but the financial uncertainty of the coming months is making people cautious of overspending this holiday. In addition, there have been supply-chain issues as manufacturers of certain products have been closed or can’t get the raw materials they need for production, and with more people buying online shipping services have been overwhelmed with delays.

As we approach the gift-giving season consider making this year more low-key across the board.

As we approach the gift-giving season consider making this year more low-key across the board. Shop early, especially if you are buying online and need to take shipping times into consideration. This year you could offer more home-made items as gifts or buy from local businesses who may be struggling. Cut back on purchasing new decorations this year and work to create experiences though holiday traditions rather than just giving ‘stuff’. Here are a couple of great ideas to help out.

If you are still concerned about your holiday budget, don’t forget that our Family Financial counselors are great at helping you get your finances organized and finding a plan to manage your debt and start to build a future financial strategy. Give them a call at 877-789-4172 or visit our website www.ffef.org

* Travelocity 2020 Holiday Travel Survey