COVID-19 Lockdown: Sweet Home Mississauga – How to Safely Enjoy the Holiday Season

Although the message from the Government of Ontario is focused on staying home to stay safe over the holidays, that certainly doesn’t mean boredom needs to set in.

The City of Mississauga is offering many virtual options this winter that are not only engaging and entertaining but will also get families and individuals up and moving.

“We all know that the holidays are going to look very different this year and that some of our annual holiday traditions have to be adjusted,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “But I encourage residents to make new traditions this year, perhaps by exploring a new hobby or catching up on personal interests that help keep you motivated and active. Regardless of what it is, please celebrate safely.”

While Mississauga is in the Grey-Lockdown phase of the Government of Ontario’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, it’s important to become familiar with both the activities that will keep the City in this zone and the behaviours that will help Mississauga emerge from the grey.

“The message is simple, only celebrate in-person with the people you live with and celebrate virtually with everyone else,” said Mayor Crombie. “Avoid parties and large dinners with guests and think of new ways to make the holidays special while remaining safe.”

Naughty list

As part of the Lockdown measures, the following are not permitted in Peel Region, which includes Mississauga:

• Indoor social gatherings, except for a gathering of members of a single household or a gathering that includes members of a household and one other person from outside that household who lives alone.
• Outdoor gatherings are permitted with 10 people or less with physical distancing.

Nice list

Mississauga is making it easy to keep residents on the nice list this year by offering plenty of fun activities that can be done from the comfort and safety of home sweet home.

At-home learning, entertainment and fitness options that will fit in any stocking

 Current interests and new hobbies

• The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra will be livestreaming its holiday concert on Sunday, December 20
• A virtual tour of the WAR Flowers exhibition is available. WAR Flowers is an exhibit focused on 10 flowers picked by Canadian soldier Lieutenant-Colonel George Stephen Cantlie during the First World War. The virtual tour includes Cantlie’s letters, specially commissioned optical crystal sculptures and original flower-based scents, interwoven with the personal stories of 10 Canadians directly involved in the war.
• In support of the WAR Flowers exhibition, an online speaker series will also be available. participants in the series include:
  • Viveka Melki and Alexander Reford on Creating WAR Flowers
  • Lawrence Hill in conversation with Natasha Henry in an Online Author’s Talk
  • Darin Wybenga on the Veterans of the Mississaugas of the Credit
  • Pardeep Singh Nagra on Brothers in Arms – The Sikhs in WWI
  • Matthew Wilkinson on Our Boys – Mississauga Remembers the First World War

Staying apart, together

• Starting on December 10, the Museums of Mississauga will be spreading holiday cheer virtually, with bake-along videos and downloadable recipes of classic Christmas desserts including gingerbread and Christmas pudding.
• Story time with family has always been a favourite, safe holiday activity. To keep this warm tradition alive, starting the week of December 14, Mississauga Library will feature five live story times and will be posting short holiday-themed videos on the City’s YouTube channel. The story times and videos will feature songs, stories and rhymes with broad and inclusive festive themes. The story times will be live on the Mississauga Library Facebook channel and will remain on the site for one week following the live airing.

Entertain me

• Need music and movies to make the holiday season merrier? Mississauga Library can grant that streaming wish with Hoopla. Hoopla has all members of the family covered so no one can complain they’re bored this winter. From holiday movie favourites, Christmas romance classics and kid-friendly comedies to memorable holiday tunes, classic, seasonal jazz and family celebration books, this holiday is going to be an unforgettable one.
• Mississauga Celebration Square invites residents to ring in 2021 in style at home with a special New Year’s Eve playlist available December 31 on Spotify and Apple Music. The “♥MCS NYE Playlist” will feature this year’s top tracks, including music from Mississauga artists. Listeners are encouraged to tag @mcsevents in all social posts when sharing the playlist from December 31 to January 3 for a chance to win a $100 Tim Horton’s gift card.

Active and relaxed

• Mississauga’s Recreation Division has developed their Stay Home Stay Active program designed to get every member of the family up and moving or calm and relaxed depending on your holiday state of mind. Check the site for workouts, meditation and movement, nutrition and lifestyle tips and virtual activities for older adults.
• If extra encouragement is needed, the City’s recreation team offers live Virtual Fitness Classes with certified fitness instructors. Try one class or join for all the sessions, there’s something for everyone ranging from beginners to advanced fitness levels.
• Don’t close the Stay Home Stay Active webpage without first checking out the Family Fun Corner to see all of the creative and easy recreational activities that can be done at home.

Worship safely

• Attend holiday services virtually or by livestream only.

Gifts and donations

• Shop local and support small businesses. Ask about curbside pick-up, delivery, and online shopping options.
• If you’re sharing gifts with people outside your home, exchange online gifts to avoid physical contact. Check #MississaugaMade for options.
• Not only is buying local great and necessary for the city’s small businesses, with the help of a new contest, it’s also an amazing option for the buyer. From now until December 30, shoppers who buy or order from local businesses either online or in-person can enter for a chance to win one of 20 $100 VISA pre-paid gift cards. Shoppers enter online and indicate which local business they supported.

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19:

• Visit mississauga.ca/covid
• Follow @CityMississauga on Twitter and Facebook
• Watch Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s weekly COVID-19 press conference
• Contact 311 (905-615-4311) if outside of Mississauga

Tags

• COVID-19 Updates
• Events and Exhibitions
• Things to Do