Have Some Theme Spirit: Having Fun During Coronavirus
We're all in this together. While fighting Coronavirus (COVID-19), we need to find ways to stay safe, entertained, creative, and healthy. To make nights and weekends special. Time to be with our family. Something to look forward to after work and school. "Theme Nights" are a great way to do that.
1) When? - Anytime. It can be every night with everyone in your household or it can be once a month over Zoom. An easy weekly theme night can be Taco Tuesday. Make it as simple or complicated as you want.
2) Choose A Theme - Here are some of my weekly favorites: pizza night, B-movie night, wino weekend, ice cream Sunday, backyard camping night, evening nature walk, family Zoom night, game night, driveway chalking, and countless others. Are your kids or roommates musical? Then have a "band night."
For a "one-night only" event, try something more creative like: Robots and Aliens, Punk Rock, Monster Trucks, Jungle, Nerds, 7 Deadly Sins, Mythical Creatures, etc. A great way to come up with an idea is to dig through the closet, attic, or basement for things you don't need or use anymore. Give it one last hurrah and then donate it or throw it away the next morning.
3) Getting Together - Make some snacks and beverages and gather your family/roommates in the living room. Don't have enough people or want to include those with health issues? Invite people to participate on Zoom, Facetime, Google Hangouts, or countless other virtual platforms.
4) Decorate - Transport yourselves someplace new. If your theme is "Dream Vacation," start with everyone packing a suitcase with what they want to see or do most. Set up your living room like a airport terminal for a few games. Eat food from that location. Create experiences inspired by that vacation destination. Immerse yourselves.
5) What To Eat - Food makes everything better. But, unless your theme is "cooking," make it simple. Pre-made meals from the grocery store or takeout are just fine. Everyone should participate in the fun and not be stuck in the kitchen.
This applies to drinks too. Use the theme, but don't force someone to be a bartender all night.
6) Getting Dressed Up - Working from home and virtual school has made life very casual and comfortable. Let's break that routine for a night. Be ridiculous and wear a tuxedo, old costume, a prom dress, or whatever else you can find. If you have lots of old clothes, this can be great inspiration for themes.
7) Entertainment and Sharing - Find some way to integrate a board game, movie, TV show, music, etc. If you're theme is Dr. Seuss, play The Cat In the Hat Game, watch The Lorax, and find some strange music. Share with friends using #DrSeussNight
AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!
Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.
Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.
