This summer might not be exactly as we had imagined even just a few short months ago, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on celebrations and adventures with friends and loved ones completely. With some ingenuity and a dash of flexibility, it can be easier than you think to celebrate life’s big milestones close to home, make everyday moments feel special, and create new family traditions you’ll cherish for years to come.
In partnership with Dairy Farmers of Ontario, we reached out to five creative women to find out how they’re making the most of every occasion this year. From creating fresh spaces at home to hosting parties just because, they’re managing to find joy in the everyday and connecting with family in new ways during these extraordinary times.
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Here are their tips and suggestions for making this a great summer and fall season for the books. (Hint: more is always better when it comes to ice-cream.)
Make every celebration feel special, regardless of size.
Celebrating a birthday right now, especially for kids, can feel different when health restrictions remain in place and traditional, in-person gatherings aren’t always possible or practical. But you can help make the day feel extra special for a child by adding personal touches to at-home celebrations, suggests Alannah O'Neill, who had to cancel her son’s big birthday bash in March.
“We decorated his ‘birthday chair’ with balloons and streamers, made all his favourite foods, opened a bunch of presents, and had a dance party,” says O'Neill. “I baked a chocolate cake with icing and candy on top, served with a giant scoop of ice cream.” Making an intimate party feel like a big deal, and adding in those extra little indulgences, are key steps for creating a fun birthday they’ll always remember.
Create your own outdoor oasis.
With most travel plans cancelled or on hold this year, many of us are sticking close to home. This may just be the perfect time to consider turning a neglected patio or balcony space into a lush outdoor room fit for socially-distant merriments, or just enjoying your morning latte in peace.
Imagine creating a private, airy oasis where you can take a healthy snack — perhaps a cheddar cheese quiche made with farmer’s market vegetables or a refreshing smoothie made with fresh fruit and milk — and a compelling book, and while away a few lovely hours. Or where you can spend time outdoors, but away from the crowds.
Over the past few months, Jacquelyn Wint has transformed her previously bare balcony into a garden-like sanctuary replete with big tree branches collected post-storm from a park, more than half a dozen plants, and summer hats stylishly hung on the wall. “I created this environment with plants where I could feel I'm somewhere other than the concrete jungle of Toronto,” says Wint. “It’s become my place of calm, where I meditate, where I pray, and where I eat many meals.”
For those looking to do something similar, Wint suggests looking at outdoor spaces on social media for visual inspiration. You’ll also want to research the types of plants that will work in your environment, keeping in mind that they will have to come indoors during the colder months.
With most travel plans cancelled or on hold this year, many of us are sticking close to home. This may just be the perfect time to consider turning a neglected patio or balcony space into a lush outdoor room fit for socially-distant merriments, or just enjoying your morning latte in peace.
Imagine creating a private, airy oasis where you can take a healthy snack — perhaps a cheddar cheese quiche made with farmer’s market vegetables or a refreshing smoothie made with fresh fruit and milk — and a compelling book, and while away a few lovely hours. Or where you can spend time outdoors, but away from the crowds.
Over the past few months, Jacquelyn Wint has transformed her previously bare balcony into a garden-like sanctuary replete with big tree branches collected post-storm from a park, more than half a dozen plants, and summer hats stylishly hung on the wall. “I created this environment with plants where I could feel I'm somewhere other than the concrete jungle of Toronto,” says Wint. “It’s become my place of calm, where I meditate, where I pray, and where I eat many meals.”
For those looking to do something similar, Wint suggests looking at outdoor spaces on social media for visual inspiration. You’ll also want to research the types of plants that will work in your environment, keeping in mind that they will have to come indoors during the colder months.
Start new traditions together, even from afar.
Since Easter, when they spontaneously prepared a rack of lamb together, Francesca Morfini has been cooking alongside her Italian grandmother — who lives in Bari, Puglia — through video calls. “Cooking is something that we always do together when I visit her in person,” says Morfini, who now sets up a tripod in front of the stove and prepares favourite recipes with her grandma watching and commenting every step of the way. “She's helped me with very intricate stuff; for example, I made lasagna with parmesan and béchamel, a sauce made with butter and milk.”
Even when you’re apart from loved ones, it’s possible to still spend quality time together on holidays and special occasions. Who says your newest family tradition has to start with everyone in the same room?
Since Easter, when they spontaneously prepared a rack of lamb together, Francesca Morfini has been cooking alongside her Italian grandmother — who lives in Bari, Puglia — through video calls. “Cooking is something that we always do together when I visit her in person,” says Morfini, who now sets up a tripod in front of the stove and prepares favourite recipes with her grandma watching and commenting every step of the way. “She's helped me with very intricate stuff; for example, I made lasagna with parmesan and béchamel, a sauce made with butter and milk.”
Even when you’re apart from loved ones, it’s possible to still spend quality time together on holidays and special occasions. Who says your newest family tradition has to start with everyone in the same room?
Throw a party, for no reason.
You don’t need a reason to celebrate this summer — instead, consider throwing a party just for fun. For kids, especially, the planning and preparations can offer as much excitement as the main event itself.
Kate Gertner recently planned a “stuffy party” with her young children for their stuffed animals, just because. For a week, they did crafts together, made bib necklaces and crowns for guests, decorated the table with egg-carton flowers, and picked out a special menu including kid-friendly favourites like cake, homemade pizza and chocolate milk. “The day of the party, we set the table beautifully, everybody got dressed up, and we blew up balloons,” says Gertner. “The kids loved it so much, and it was nice to have a reason to celebrate and do something fun.”
You don’t need a reason to celebrate this summer — instead, consider throwing a party just for fun. For kids, especially, the planning and preparations can offer as much excitement as the main event itself.
Kate Gertner recently planned a “stuffy party” with her young children for their stuffed animals, just because. For a week, they did crafts together, made bib necklaces and crowns for guests, decorated the table with egg-carton flowers, and picked out a special menu including kid-friendly favourites like cake, homemade pizza and chocolate milk. “The day of the party, we set the table beautifully, everybody got dressed up, and we blew up balloons,” says Gertner. “The kids loved it so much, and it was nice to have a reason to celebrate and do something fun.”
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Bring the beach to you.
We’re all having to think a little outside of the box when it comes to adventures and travels this year. Instead of the usual girls’ trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake or a busy beach town, Sarah Said is trying something different — and much more social distancing friendly — with a few friends for the August long weekend.
“We decided to rent a house in Burlington with a really pretty pool for the weekend,” says Said. “My friend who is a DJ is going to bring her decks; we’re just going to play some music and pretend we’re at the beach.” Their only real plans for the trip? Relaxing poolside, enjoying some great wine and cheeses, and catching up with close friends.
We’re all having to think a little outside of the box when it comes to adventures and travels this year. Instead of the usual girls’ trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake or a busy beach town, Sarah Said is trying something different — and much more social distancing friendly — with a few friends for the August long weekend.
“We decided to rent a house in Burlington with a really pretty pool for the weekend,” says Said. “My friend who is a DJ is going to bring her decks; we’re just going to play some music and pretend we’re at the beach.” Their only real plans for the trip? Relaxing poolside, enjoying some great wine and cheeses, and catching up with close friends.
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