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Staying Apart, Together: Amazon boxes under the tree

Kelly Lawler   | Paste BN

Over the weekend I received a package addressed to "Kelly XMAS GIFT SERIOUSLY DON'T OPEN Lawler."

Being unable to gather with my extended family for Christmas this year has led to a new dilemma: To open or not to open the package I just received? We're all in the process of having our Christmas gifts delivered to disparate locations (I have a sister in Michigan, a sister in London, parents in the Philly suburbs and that's only my side of the family). So we came up with a really hilarious system – making "Xmas" or "Xmas Gift" the middle name on all the packages we send. 

This has worked for the most part. There was a near miss with an Amazon package I started to open without thinking, anticipating some dishwasher soap I ordered, when I realized the package was much too small to be a bag of detergent. We've been sticking the packages we get so far under the tree, and I decided to adorn them with some bows to make them look a little more festive and a little less of a sad reminder that I won't see my family this year. 

All the cardboard boxes we are accumulating are a more welcome reminder of how hard postal and delivery people are working this season as shipping and online shopping rises. As we deal with the hardships the winter surge of COVID-19 brings, it's even more important to exercise gratitude for those helping us the most (a gift card for your mail carrier can go a long way). 

And in the spirit of helping and giving, there are ways to give back to people who are struggling the most during the pandemic and the economic crisis. USPS's Operation Santa allows you to "adopt" a letter to Santa from a kid in need. Food banks and mutual aid organizations in your town will always need more help this time of year. There are funds to help restaurant workers in need as dining is limited in many states. You can buy meals for the healthcare workers stretched to their limits right now. 

It's not a usual Christmas season, but we can still make it a generous, worthwhile one. 

Today's good news

They're calling it V-Day. 

The U.K. began rolling out Pfizer's COVID vaccine today, which is some of the best news we can get in our pandemic times. The first recipient of the shot was grandmother Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week. She received the shot at University Hospital Coventry at 6:31 a.m. (1:31 a.m. EDT).

"It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year," Keenan said.

But may I direct your attention to the second person to receive the vaccine?

The second person in the world to receive Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine is seriously, 100% named William Shakespeare. Is there anything more British than that?

William Shakespeare, 81, is known to friends and family as "Bill." And, in a further remarkable and unlikely twist of fate, University Hospital Coventry is not far from Stratford-upon-Avon, where the 16th-century writer was born.

Shakespeare said he was "pleased" to get the shot. 

Cue all your Shakespearean puns and jokes. "The Taming of the Flu." "Two Gentlemen of Corona."  This one is my favorite. Twitter has many, many more. 

Today's safe holiday idea: Virtual baking party

Traditional holiday cookie swaps are off the table during the pandemic, just one more thing on the list we have to give up this year. But unlike, say, sitting on Santa's lap or a lavish Christmas dinner, baking, decorating and oohing-and-aahing over pretty cookies is easier to recreate virtually. 

A Zoom cookie party is pretty easy to achieve, if you prepare and keep things simple. Paste BN Life intern Jenna Ryu wrote up some tips for a successful and safe cookie party. 

  • Have a plan and recipes ready before you start your virtual baking fest. Set up your ingredients and stand mixer, set your laptop, phone or tablet in a place where you can be seen, put on your apron and dial in. 
  • Pick an easy cookie recipe. You're going to want a quick and easy recipe for your virtual baking party, so you can chat with your friends without stressing over the quality of your cookies. Sugar cookies and gingerbread work wonders. 
  • Keep any cookie distribution safe and socially distant. The CDC notes that though it's uncommon, it is possible to become exposed to COVID-19 by touching objects such as food packaging and then touching your mouth or eyes. Before you start baking, sanitize. Thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Sanitize utensils, cutting boards, bowls, containers and appliances. You can take extra precaution by wearing disposable gloves during the baking process as well. Once you're ready to deliver your baked goods, wipe down your cookie boxes and follow the six-foot social distancing guideline by dropping off the goodies on a front porch or doormat, rather than handing it over in-person.

Read more tips for a cookie party here. And if any of you are really excellent cookie decorators (though I love baking, I am not good at decorating), I'd love for you to send pictures to include in future newsletters. 

Today's reads

Today's pet

Meet a pup who likes sleeping and beer. 

"This is Dennis," says Marissa Fracassa. "He's a goofy mix of Labrador, Great Dane and Boxer living a sleepy life in Dublin, Ohio outside of Columbus. He loves to snore during his daily afternoon nap(s)."

Dennis, if you and my dog Apollo slept int he same room, it would surely be a snore symphony. 

That's all I've got for this Tuesday. I hope you are all staying safe and well, and know I'm thinking of you. If you have pet pictures to share, need something new to watch on TV or have coping tips that could help us out, email stayingaparttogether@usatoday.com.

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler

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