(CNN) — The world is changing and we’re having to change with it. We’re seeing the effects of Covid-19 in ways we’d never anticipated. Some businesses have ceased to exist, while others have rebranded and adopted new practices to ensure their communities are cared for and safe during these trying times.
One area that’s seen a massive shift is how we celebrate Christmas and the holidays in general. Gone are the days of large family gatherings and communal dining. Instead, we’re seeing more people celebrating the holiday season online. And while there’s nothing wrong with holding events online, it’s important to understand how to do it right.
This is where the idea of “speedway christmas” comes in. While some people will no doubt want to use the term “Sober Prom” to describe their Christmas celebrations, we at MSA Health believe that it’s important to identify the unique qualities of a “speedway” Christmas and how to implement them during these trying times.
What Is A “Speedway” Christmas?
(CNN) — In the wake of Covid-19, many businesses, brands, and communities have had to adjust how they operate in order to protect the health and safety of their workers and customers alike. One such example is the motorcycle industry, which had to shift its product development and manufacturing to ensure parts could be delivered on time during the height of the pandemic.
“We had to change almost everything about how we do business,” said Mike Harley, chief operating officer of American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and a lifelong biker. “The biggest change was that we had to adapt to working remotely, with some businesses closing down completely. We couldn’t depend on people commuting to work every day, so we had to find a way to connect virtually — that is, online.”
It’s a sentiment that’s been echoed by others in the motorcycle industry, including Wayne Allard, CEO of Harley-Davidson. “It’s basically a combination of working from home and virtually meeting with our employees,” Allard said. “That way, we can keep our social distancing guidelines and keep our workers healthy and happy. It also means that our employees can enjoy the holidays as people used to when they were out working during the week.”
As a result, many businesses and brands have had to adopt new ways of operating, and one area that’s seen a massive shift is how we celebrate Christmas and the holidays. Gone are the days of large family gatherings and communal dining. Instead, we’re seeing more people celebrating the holiday season online.
Why Online?
(CNN) — It’s well-established that most businesses will shift to a remote-working model as a result of Covid-19. But for those that choose to celebrate Christmas remotely, why online?
The first and most obvious answer is that nowadays, we almost all rely on technology to keep us connected to the people and things we love. In addition to allowing us to continue our daily routines, remote working has provided an unparalleled opportunity to have connectedness during these trying times. While we might not be able to meet in person this Christmas, with our friends, family, and colleagues, we can still connect, trade ideas, and stay informed of how to navigate this pandemic effectively.
Beyond that, many have pointed to the unique challenges that come with gathering in large numbers as a result of Covid-19. The most obvious being that if someone does contract the virus at a gathering, the outbreak can be much more devastating. In addition to that, there’s the fear of getting stuck in a confined space with a lot of people you don’t know — especially if someone in your group gets sick.
Even if you don’t get sick, being in a large group where you can’t physically distanced is still physically and mentally exhausting. Going to a crowded bar or restaurant to celebrate Christmas would undoubtedly be more exhausting than getting together with your friends and family to do it remotely. So for many, working remotely is the way to go.
The Importance Of Digital Natives
(CNN) — According to a 2019 survey conducted by Google and Ipsum, 73% of American consumers would be more likely to buy products or services from companies that provide them with online access to information. In addition, 89% of respondents said it’s “somewhat” or “very” important to have online access to information about products and services.
What’s more is that millennials and Generation Z are more likely to rely on online resources for information about products and services. In fact, 41% of millennials and Gen Z said they wouldn’t even consider a product or service that’s not walkable, bikeable, or public transportation accessible.
While it’s important to keep up with the times and be accessible via digital platforms, it’s also important to not lose sight of what’s important to you. For some, that might mean holding events in person. For others, it could mean adopting new ways of doing business.
New Forms Of Celebration
(CNN) — One of the most striking things about this year’s Christmas is how differently we’re all celebrating it. Gone are the days of large family gatherings and communal dining. Instead, we’re seeing more people celebrating the holiday season online.
One place we’re seeing people celebrate is TikTok, with Christmas characters, such as Charlie Bucket and Lenny Winter from “It’s A Wonderful Life,” drawing huge audiences.
And it’s not just limited to Christmas-related content. Many have pointed to TikTok as a whole as an example of how social media has changed the way we consume content.
One of the most interesting developments as a result of all this is the variety of ways people are choosing to celebrate. While many will continue to rely on the tried-and-true methods of years past, there are plenty of alternatives available to those who want to find a way to celebrate the holiday differently.
Alternative Celebrations
(CNN) — Here are some of the alternatives to traditional Christmas celebrations you might want to consider:
- Virtual Christmas parties — This might be the most obvious alternative to traditional parties, as many have shifted to a virtual working model as a result of Covid-19. While it might not be the most comfortable option for some, it eliminates a lot of the worries that come with a traditional party — especially if you’re doing it from the safety of your home.
- Accessorize — If you don’t want to forego the tradition of dressing up as Santa Claus, you can always accessorize. From wigs and makeup to earrings and cufflinks, there are plenty of ways to add some extra flair to your outfit. You might also want to consider getting a beard trimmer so you can keep up with the jolly spirit.
- Groups of friends — One of the best things about getting together with your friends and family is the opportunity to catch up, have fun, and celebrate the holiday together.
- Home-based — If you don’t want to head into the office or your home, you can always base your celebration at home. You might want to consider watching movies, ordering food, and chilling with family and friends.
- Sober Proms — If you’re looking for an alternative to a Christmas party, you might want to consider throwing a “Sober Prom.” The concept is simple — invite your friends, family, and colleagues to a virtual get-together where you celebrate Christmas virtually — via video or online chat.
What’s important to keep in mind is that all these alternatives require a little bit of planning and forethought. You want to make sure that everything is planned and that you’re not wasting any time or effort. This way, you can fully embrace the novelty of these times and the new ways of engaging with friends and family.
The point, ultimately, is that while we might not be able to meet in person this year, thanks to Covid-19, we can still connect, stay informed, and have fun with the people and things we love. This is a truly unique opportunity that presents itself as a result of the pandemic — one that will be valuable to consider as we navigate the future.