Celebrating Christmas …in the ‘new normal’-by Sohan Weerasinghe

Source:Island

Sohan Weerasinghe (Entertainer/Singer – Sri Lanka)

Before the pandemic, Christmas was a time I splurged a lot of money on friends, on parties, expensive gifts, etc., and never worried about from where the money came.

Now the scenario is totally different.

The accent is on helping the poor, and the needy, and making sure they have, at least, the bare necessities.

I’m also playing a prominent part in an organisation that is dedicated in looking after the less fortunate people in Sri Lanka.

So, I’m involved in raising funds for them and making sure that they, too, enjoy a little bit of fun and enjoyment.

While doing all these, I also make it a point to observe all safety protocols and not allowing the spread of the virus.

At the Christmas party, we hope to have, even Santa has to show that he got both vaccinations, before entering the hall!

Wish all my friends a Merry Christmas, and please give till it hurts!

Stephanie Sutari (Singer – India)

Christmas was always about elaborate family lunches, and fancy dinner parties, but this year it’s gonna be a little different….I’m gonna be spending Christmas Eve performing for a show in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Christmas lunch will be 33,000 feet high up in the sky, while I’m on my way back home.

And, Christmas dinner will be a relaxing one, with my family.

Morina Dass (Model – America)

Avoiding stress, this Christmas, for sure. Generally, we travel somewhere for the Christmas holidays, but this year my son, Kobe, is coming home for the holidays – university vacation. So, I’m surely having a ‘new normal’ Christmas party, at home, with my immediate family and friends. I’m also planning to cook some of my son’s favourite dishes.

Lean Galway (Singer – India)

My world always ran at a pace where I never learnt to sit and enjoy the blessings that came my way, but this Christmas, in the ‘new normal,’ has changed that for me .

Christmas, before the pandemic, was all about buying new stuff, writing a list too big for Santa, ballroom dances, plum cake and wine, putting up the decorations, etc. I remember being so busy trying to celebrate Christmas that I forgot why I was celebrating it in the first place – the birth of our saviour, Jesus Christ. Not being able to go out much, due to the pandemic, has showed me that I was missing out on the biggest of blessings God has sent my way – FAMILY. This Christmas I’m going to celebrate the love of God as I count my blessings and cherish the moments I’m given with the ones I love most.

Merlina Fernando (Singer – Sri Lanka)

Yes, we are ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the ‘new normal.’

We’re almost two years into living with the pandemic, and it looks like this norm is here to stay for a few more years,

Christmas is a season of goodwill, sometimes it can be a tough time for many people, because of the current situation.

I personally like to help, and make someone happy, the way I can.I celebrate Christmas only with my family. It has always been like that.

Research shows that acts of kindness can have a huge benefit to your own happiness, too.

As a musician, I usually don’t get to stay home much, especially during the season,

This year, I will be performing in the Maldives for Christmas, and the New Year.

So, I will have to connect through video calls…or, maybe, throw a virtual karaoke party,

Wishing you all, a safe Christmas.

Shania Rodrigues (Singer – Dubai)

Before Covid hit, Christmas (my favourite time of the year) meant travelling to India to spend time with family, shopping, lavish Christmas dinners, carolling, late night goodie making, midnight mass and exchanging gifts.

Covid changed it all. Though I’m thankful to my family and the exclusive time we get to spend together, it’s just not the same…singing carols at home, all day, or shopping online, or virtual Christmas parties, for that matter.

I do enjoy making goodies with mum, dad, and my little sis Bianca, as well as our late night movie marathons. While I would have loved more than the four of us to play secret Santa, doing FB live carolling sessions is pretty awesome, with some of my fave Christmas songs, like ‘Christmas Day’ – Jimin and Jungkook (BTS), ‘Santa Baby’ – Ariana Grande, ‘Mistletoe’ – Justin Bieber, and many more that really set the Christmas mood.

Cherrie Chamarie (Singer – Australia)

I never take gigs on Christmas day, so I usually have a big party, every year, at home, with family and friends.

This year, however, I thought of going on a trip. Along with some friends, we have booked a beach house, as we were stuck at home, for so long, due to the lockdown.