Planning Celebrations with Social Distancing in Mind

This spring brought a new twist to holiday celebrations as shelter-at-home orders reshaped traditional gatherings. Despite these challenges, people discovered creative methods to make holidays and milestones meaningful. Easter egg hunts moved to backyards, sunrise services were streamed online, Seders gathered virtually via Zoom, and Mother's Day gained a new flavor with at-home brunches. Maintaining connections with loved ones remained a priority as everyone adjusted to these new norms.

Positivity Parade

During these unprecedented times, communities got creative with car parades—a socially distant way to mark engagements, birthdays, graduations, and other milestones safely. This festive solution gained traction during the pandemic and remains popular. For instance, staff in Jersey City's Port Liberté Community organized a car parade. Cars were adorned with encouraging signs and music played as they drove by, honking horns. Residents joined in from their balconies, porches, and driveways, creating a joyful community moment from afar.

A Quarantined Easter

At Governor's Pointe Village II in North Brunswick, New Jersey, celebrating Easter took on a unique look. The community manager arranged a special Easter drive-through, with her child dressed as the Easter bunny and her husband leading the drive. Residents greeted them from a distance, spreading cheer while maintaining safety protocols. Meanwhile, in Irvine, California, Great Parks Neighborhood offered a creative twist: staff delivered candy-filled Easter eggs to front yards for family hunts. One egg in each batch had a number, and ten lucky families won $25 Amazon gift cards.

A Sign of Hope

To uplift spirits, Great Parks Neighborhood also implemented a hopeful initiative. Professionally designed, illuminated signs were installed in three locations over Easter weekend. These became a beacon of hope, drawing families to take photos and share widely on social media. This not only boosted community morale but also provided positive exposure for the developer involved.

COVID-19 Scavenger Hunt

In Chula Vista, California, the EastLake II community adapted their event schedule to engage residents safely. With in-person gatherings postponed, they hosted an at-home scavenger hunt. Residents enthusiastically participated, submitting photos of found items. Prizes were awarded, and the winners earned bragging rights on social media. Encouraged by its success, the community continued organizing more events, including a Mother’s Day driveway chalk decorating activity to honor moms.

COVID-19 Summer Holidays

As summer approached, traditional gatherings like cookouts and pool parties were set to resume with a twist. While pools and beaches reopened, safety remained a priority. Consider hosting intimate family cookouts, or even virtual Independence Day cook-off contests. A socially distant Independence Day neighborhood car parade could also be a fun way to celebrate.

Stay tuned to witness more inspiring ways communities find to stay connected and supportive. Indeed, these times of unity showcase that we are always stronger together.