Gifts in a Pandemic

by | Dec 30, 2020 | How To | 0 comments

 

 

In March 2020, offices and shops across the nation shut their doors. Many of us thought that we would be back within a few weeks but now after eight months, we are still sitting in our living rooms and looking for ways to get back to normality.

Thousands of people around the world celebrated the important events of this year from the boundaries of their homes. The holiday gatherings especially have been scaled down, with none of the Christmas markets or festivities that we are used to seeing each winter.

The break out of Covid 19 has completely changed the way we are allowed to celebrate.

Many people have lost their jobs and some of us have even lost loved ones too. Anxiety is everywhere; all of us are anxious and forced to live almost isolated from the rest of our communities. And at this time of year, everyone would usually gather to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their family and friends. But now , so many of us are forced to celebrate whilst sitting alone in our homes. Now we must look for ways to give gifts from a distance.

Homemade Items

Homemade gifts and cooking items are high in demand this season, as everyone is looking for more meaningful gifts for their loved ones. Specifically, those shoppers on a low budget or vulnerable members of society that are more restricted when going outside. Many retailers and online brands have followed this trend and have begun offering sentiments and handmade items for the giving season. If you are here to get some exciting ideas on what gifts you can send to your loved ones during the pandemic, why not look at sites like Pinterest to gather some ideas on what you could make yourself? Or if you simply don’t have time, shop on sites such as Etsy for personalized gifts that are handmade and sent straight to your door like a personalized book.

Examples of excellent personalized gifts include embroidered cotton or linen handkerchiefs, engraved tumblers or mugs, customized phone cases, and name jewelry.

Practical Gifts

First, think about what kind of gift you want to send them. During the pandemic it is a great idea to send gits that are meaningful but can also help them out with their everyday needs. Send them some warm pajamas for the time spent indoors, or some cozy slippers for the cold nights. Food items are a great gift to send to cheer someone up during this chaotic time. If you would rather not send food, why not cooking appliances or home accessories? Brighten up the space around them and make staying in the house not as dreadful as it can be. To help them destress, gift them facemasks or even better, hand sanitizer! You can assemble an entire pandemic care package consisting of a set of KN95 disposable face masks, a box of medical-grade nitrile gloves, a kit of hand sanitizers, essential oils, and delicious treats. Perhaps you can also add a bottle of fine wine for relaxation. But if you really want to go the extra mile for someone you love, get them a Just Eat voucher online or even a gift card for their favorite restaurant (when they are open). Just because we are restricted to staying indoors, doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate in some way.

Online Gifts

You can also send them gift cards for a range of their favorite shops or brands. Help them spend their newly found spare time online shopping, instead of going out to busy shopping centers or retail parks. Let them choose their own gift, whether it be some new extravagant jewelry or just sweatpants for lying around the house. If you would prefer to go out shopping for their gifts, be sure to avoid peak times and always wear your mask!

Another suggestion would be to order items ahead and pick their perfect gift from the online store to minimize your time in public. Although we all love a shopping spree, now is not the time to be walking around stores for hours looking for a gift. Make it easy by shopping online!

Online shopping is the solution to many of our problems during the pandemic as we can still shop in millions of stores and even send the item straight to the receiver’s home. Although we are surrounded by social distancing and mask-wearing, this doesn’t have to stop the world turning and we can still find ways to enjoy special occasions with each other. Why not ask the recipient of your gift to open it over a facetime call instead? This way we can all stay safe without missing out on that much-needed contact.

Gifts for Those Who Need Them Most

You may not be looking for a gift for a specific person, maybe just a way to give. Now is the perfect time to give back to the community and perhaps donate gifts to those who need them, such as a food bank or children’s charity. There are many important causes set up to help contribute to the most vulnerable members of our society. During this financial crisis caused by Covid-19, many people have lost their jobs and are struggling to find work, or even the means to feed their children. It is very quick and easy to donate to any of these charities online. But if you would like to be more involved, places like food banks and children’s gift charities would happily take donations of groceries or presents for children, whose parents cannot afford to get them anything for Christmas. You may also want to donate items like this to people you know that have been affected by the current economic climate or are required to self-isolate. Even just making their favorite food and leaving it at their door could make a huge difference while they recover.




In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle