‘Tis the season . . . a season different from maybe any other season we’ve ever had, BUT ‘tis still the season 🎄 As we near the end of December and 2020 altogether, there’s still no place to go and the pandemic unfortunately doesn’t show signs of stoppin’ 😐
While the holidays are generally meant to be spent out and about with large groups of family and friends, staying home this year is a nationwide priority. In fact, the best gift you can give this season is your contribution to flattening the curve!
Though you should definitely refrain from sharing candy canes with friends and kissing mall Santas this year, that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had. Trust us😉
If you find yourself bored at home this year, JOOLIES got your back! We’ve got just the recipe for some holiday fun at home to kick those pandemic blues💕
1. Rewatch Your Favorite Holiday Classic
“Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old fashioned family Christmas.” - Chevy Chase, Christmas Vacation.
Classic holiday movies are what Christmas is all about – especially this year! If you aren’t a Christmas movie buff by now, you should take this holiday season to spruce up on your holiday movie knowledge 🤓
A great way to spend time at home this season is to watch a movie! Stay inside and have yourself a marathon. Here are some of our personal favorites:
- Miracle on 34th Street
- A Christmas Story
- Elf
- Diehard
- Christmas Vacation
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
Bundle up next to the fireplace with some yummy hot cocoa, made with Joolies Cocoa Date Syrup and enjoy a good old fashioned movie🍿🎥
2. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party - Zoom Edition
Feeling lonely? Get your friends and family together via Zoom!
A great idea for the holidays this season is to host and throw an ugly sweater party over video chat 💻 Everyone can dress up in their ugliest Christmas sweater and make it to the party from the comfort of their own living rooms.
Entertaining for the holidays has never been easier! No mess, no clean up, no stress 😌 Just the simple luxury of laughing and enjoying the company of friends and family via a computer screen. Plus, you can enjoy a box of Joolies medjool dates all to yourself! ;)
3. Gingerbread House Competition - Zoom Edition
Another fun way to get your friends and family together via Zoom is by hosting a Gingerbread House Competition! Each household gets their own gingerbread house kit and additional materials to make their house super unique. Start a video conference, set a time limit and get to building!
One way to make your house stand out is incorporating unusual ingredients. Joolies medjool dates are an excellent choice. Split them in half and add them to the sides of your house to create a stone wall effect. They can also be transformed into adorable reindeers on the roof.
When it comes to choosing the winner of your gingerbread house competition, make sure everyone shares photos of their house so each house gets a fair critique. You don’t want Grandma’s masterpiece to be overlooked because she couldn’t get the camera angle right ;) Everyone casts a vote and then the winner is selected!
Make the winners feel extra special by shipping them a sweet surprise. Perhaps..a 4.4lb box of Joolies Medjool Dates? Sounds good to us😍
4. Try a New Recipe!
Feeling adventurous, but can’t leave the house? Try a new recipe for your holiday meal this year! Joolies medjool dates are the secret ingredient you’ve been missing.
Medjool dates pair well with so many flavors, savory or sweet! We have dozens of fun, date-inspired dinner recipes on our blog for you to try.
For dessert, dice a few medjool dates into small pieces and add it into your cookie, cake or other baked goods recipe to boost the rich flavor and add a caramel-like texture! You can also use Joolies Date Syrups as a substitute for processed sugar for a healthier alternative.
Prefer to order delivery? Enjoy your take-out with a unique cocktail made with Joolies Date Syrup for something sweet that will lift your spirits.
5. Holiday Cookie and Date Decorating
We all could use a little extra sweetness in our lives after such a tough year🤪 There’s no better way to do so than indulging in some freshly baked cookies and other delicious treats🍪 To make it festive, pick up some frosting, sprinkles and cookie cutters in different shapes for decorating!
If you’re getting a head start on your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, enjoy an evening of decorating Joolies medjool dates instead! Joolies pitted dates are perfect for stuffing with nut butters, cheese, or other yummy spreads.
Dress them up with the toppings of your choice and pop them in the oven for just a few minutes. And voila! You have a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat in half the time it takes to bake cookies – and half the guilt😉
You can also enjoy medjool dates cold 😊 For a frozen treat, leave your date creation in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
6. Charcuterie Board and Wine Night
Who doesn’t love a big platter of cheese and bite-sized snacks? A charcuterie board is just as fun to make as it is to eat when you get creative with it. Turn it into a festive activity by adding your favorite holiday treats like candy canes, peppermint kisses, and peanut brittle🥜
Remember.. no charcuterie board is complete without Joolies medjool dates and wine🍷 Set the mood with a relaxing Christmas playlist and candles. We’re giving you FULL permission to pamper yourself. Why? Because you deserve it for staying home and doing your part to keep others safe😉
Happy Holidays!
We hope this guide gives you some fun ideas to mix things up while staying home and staying safe this holiday season💕 From all of us here at Joolies, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheers to 2021🥂✨
