While the joys of travel will not be the same because of COVID-19 restrictions, a gift card to be used locally, puzzles, games, or even a staycation are considered more rewarding to East Coast residents over the big-brand names this holiday season.
For Justin Barbour - an adventurer, author, filmmaker, and public speaker - having a memorable experience tops his Christmas list.
"I live in central Newfoundland, so I go home to St. John's for Christmas to visit my parents, sister, and the rest of my family. However, a recent tradition has been spending Christmas Eve in the wilderness. It happens in an 8x10 canvas tent with my fiancée Heather and our two dogs, Saku and Bear," he said.
"It is a magical experience and highlights the real meaning of Christmas – spending simple warm times with the ones you love. The tent has a small wood stove, and on it, we cook a Christmas dinner. We also have a small Charlie Brown tree inside, and there we open our few gifts to each other."
This year will be the third annual holiday in the Newfoundland woods for the couple.
"After our Christmas Day meal, we typically reunite with our families. The only change I can see over the holidays due to COVID-19 is that some family members from the mainland will not be home this year. It is simply too difficult to get permission, isolate 14 days after travel, etc.," Barbour added
Barbour, a past competitive hockey player and extreme outdoorsman, buys gifts that can be unwrapped and enjoyed, such as books, games, food, drinks, and clothing.
"In most cases, these presents have more meaning than gift cards that are a last resort," he said.
"But it is more important than ever to support our local producers and artists. I plan on buying my Christmas gifts online from local shops and in person. With the pandemic, many local shops have transformed online so you can get items delivered or pick up yourself."
Experience gifts
Cailin O'Neil highlights all the ins and outs of Nova Scotia on her website, NovaScotiaExplorer.com.
"We are so lucky to be in our Atlantic bubble with low cases, so I am not fearing away from giving the gift of a local experience. But I plan on more adjustable ones," she says.
She pointed out these gift cards can be used later in the year if needed.
"What I have in mind is buying gift cards for restaurants where the person can then decide on their own if they want to dine in or get their order to go. Also, experiences like the ‘Magic Winery’ bus tours in the Valley make great Christmas gifts, and the tours and experiences are safe and socially distanced."
But despite the enthusiasm for giving the gift of experience to friends and family, this Christmas will not be the same, says O'Neil.
"Normally, for the holidays, I get together for a potluck with a bunch of friends and my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year we are scaling down the size of our friend's potluck and are only doing it with our bubble friends we trust," she says.
"With family, thankfully, we all live close, so if cases stay the way they are now, that probably won't change much."
If numbers increase, she's prepared to celebrate with immediate family only.
"But it is all worth it to spend one Christmas apart so that we can have many more together in future," she adds.
Helping community
Stephanie McQuaid, known for her travel writing and photography as 'The Redhead Roamer,' on P.E.I., started shopping early while supporting local businesses.
"I know how hard COVID-19 has been for local shop owners, so I want to put my money back into my community," she said, which included a visit to the P.E.I. Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair for a few locally-made gifts for family.
McQuaid, a nurse with a passion for celebrating everything related to the Island and afar, said because of COVID-19, she is switching to gift cards to be used locally and staycations rather than travel or experiences outside the bubble.
"One COVID-conscious present that I like this season is 'P.E.I. in a box' by Experience P.E.I.," she said.
This carefully-curated box is filled with P.E.I. favourites, including an online component and lobster.
"It is perfect for friends and family who live outside of the Atlantic bubble that can't make it home this year," she said.
"Since travelling isn't a thing right now, staycations are extremely popular. I know lots of local accommodations are putting together packages to encourage locals to experience staycations. I am also a big fan of Canada's Food Island gift cards for P.E.I. They are suitable for lots of Island restaurants, hotels, shops, and even golf courses, and they do not expire for seven years."
While McQuaid is optimistic about reconnecting with loved ones over Christmas, she acknowledged it will look and feel different. She comes from two big families - her dad's side alone has over 50 people she considers immediate family - so Christmas normally means a house full of people.
"We know Christmas will not be what it normally is with all of us getting together," she said.
"The family is currently trying to work out what to do. You never know, it might just be with my immediate family this year. But that is OK because we know why it is important not to all gather. The more we stay apart right now, the better the chance for the next holiday to spend it all together."
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