We’re inching towards the end of a rather nerve-racking year, and we’re well-adapted to the changes we were presented with, in the earlier months. Our social life (which took a backseat for a while) has also done a 180! We’re now investing in real, lasting connections rather than fun but fleeting moments. A ‘gala’ time means laughter echoing through a room filled with only the people we love the most and ‘festivities’ are seeing us take a calmer, more intimate route. None of this felt like a possibility until last year, right?

This is why we can undoubtedly say that celebrations now have an additional definition. So, let’s take a closer look at our change of ways when it comes to making merry!

Live Streamed Weddings

Who would’ve ever thought of attending a wedding through a 6-inch screen? (We know we never did!) Weddings always translated to an endless party, and our calendars were marked for a good chunk of time right after receiving an invitation from the couple. Even though travel restrictions have eased down, more people are still resorting to tying the knot with only their parents around; and the rest of the guests witnessing it through a video call or a shared YouTube link. This has also helped with cutting down on costs, most of which arose due to elaborate settings and decor. We’re still a little torn about the idea. But we’re also glad that our loved ones are choosing to formally unite even in unfavourable circumstances.

Virtual Game Nights

Yes, we haven’t had a huge platter of food on the centre table, surrounded by enthusiastic and competitive faces for a while now. But, we love how it was a given that game nights should go on, no matter the medium! Virtual scrabble has been just as fun with the sporty peeps, and so has Pictionary. Let’s not forget how sore we are as losers when it comes to Ludo and UNO. Whether you’ve been playing in teams or flying solo, you can’t deny that virtual game nights have kept all of us thoroughly entertained all these months (and with no mess to clean up afterwards!)

Weekend Dinner Parties

We’d like to think of these as something akin to potluck parties – except you only get to taste what you brought! What you CAN do to switch things up is cook together and swap recipes before eventually sitting down to eat – because that’s what we did too. Even though the laptop screen played host, it’s really the ‘good food & great company’ factor that has been making these parties a success. Just opening a bottle of wine, pouring glass after glass, catching up with the squad, and enjoying a delectable meal from the comfort of our room has been enough to take our minds off the weekday stress. We also added dressing up to the mix, and we think you should as well.

Zoom Birthdays

Personally, we loved how these panned out! One, because it got our creative juices flowing. And two, there was no limit on how many friends could attend the party, resulting in mixed up groups and new connections. (There was also no bickering over who got to have the last slice of cake!) It was the same Happy Birthday song, the same make-a-wish moment, the same chirpiness and the same loud chatter. The only thing missing was everyone in the same room; but when you’re having a great time, it doesn’t matter where you are, right?

Safer Gatherings

For the ones who were not-so-okay with the idea of making everything a digital affair, intimate events posed as an answer. With a very limited number of people at the venue, whether it’s a wedding ceremony or a pre-wedding celebration, hygiene checks have been as stringent as the promise of a good time. Normally, one would be greeted with cute wedding favours or takeaways. But now, most of them have been replaced or accompanied by masks and sanitizer bottles. They’re not just the need of the hour, but a seemingly new norm, so this is a welcome change!

It’s extremely important to stay safe, but it’s also essential to keep your spirits high! The holiday season is just around the corner; and we can’t wait to see how the celebrations pan out, given the pandemic and social distancing norms.

Image Credits: Pinterest