A Zoom Holiday with Crate & Barrel

“Food is the common denominator that brings people together.” – James Beard

This is one of the swooniest sentiments I know. I wholeheartedly believe that food is our greatest unifier–– something we can all relate to no matter our backgrounds, passions, or palates. The act of breaking bread draws us together, igniting our senses, and creating moments we can hold in our hearts always. When we chop side by side, when we gather to share a meal, something truly magical transpires. Boom, there we are, more present than ever.

I believe this is the true gift of the holiday season. It pauses the chaos of the outside world. No one to respond to, no deadline to meet, no pressure to deliver. It is simply a time to slow down and focus on what matters most: the people we love, our most intimate family.

And here’s the thing–– no one can take that away from us! Most certainly not a virus. We must stay safe and follow guidelines, but we also must remember that we still get to choose how we want to celebrate this holiday. I have always believed that restrictions force us to be creative. So let’s find new ways to connect, laugh, and be together even when we are apart. Gosh, I love a challenge! It really gets me amped up to think outside the box. How can we take age old traditions and reimagine them? Well, Crate and Barrel and I have a few ideas.

To start, I am sharing one of my tried and true holiday recipes: a beet and ricotta ravioli. I usually prepare it in an assembly line with my whole family, but this year I have altered the recipe with a clever hack that allows me and my loved ones to each make the recipe over zoom. In lieu of the laborious act of making pasta by hand, I’m using delicate pre-cut wonton wrappers–– making this Calderone Christmas favorite a foolproof cooking activity we can all share together (yet apart) over zoom!

This year might look a little different, but we can still do all the things that make the holidays the best time of the year–– cooking together, boozing together, indulging together, foraging together, and singing together!

I have outlined five crafty ways to gather and have fun with your family and friends this holiday season… even when they’re far away.

1. Food has the heart-opening power to connect us, even when we are far apart. Choose one of your family’s favorite dishes and send the recipe to everyone who would normally be seated at your table. Keep it simple and make sure that everyone has all the ingredients and tools they need before you start. Pick a time for everyone to come together over zoom and cook.
2. Music is not only an uplifting experience but it is also a unifying one. Create a Spotify or Apple playlist and send the link to your family. Or, make it a collaborative playlist so everyone can add a song! This is a great way to share that holiday feeling with your loved ones.

3. Foraging for decor is one of my favorite ways to create a table setting. I am certainly known to walk outside, clippers in hand, to snip a little bit of nature for my holiday decor. Have a forage-off with friends! Tell everyone to head outdoors and clip their favorite “something” (a leaf, a pine branch, a dried pod, an herb). Use whatever you can find in the home (twine, old ribbon, oranges, pomegranates) and get crafty with what you discovered both in nature and indoors. No need to go to the store, this tip is about working with what you got!

4. Make a cookie, share a cookie. Bake your favorite holiday cookie and send a small batch in a cute holiday tin to someone in your family. If everyone in your circle participates, then you have a cookie trade! Everyone will end up with at least two different holiday cookies–– the one they made, and the one that was sent to them!

5. What would the holidays be without friends, (and a little booze)? Plan after dinner cocktails with a group of your pals over facetime. Unwind, gab, and get a little festive with your nearest and dearest. A nightcap is a great way to unwind.