Christmas 2020 may be different from previous years, but it’s still Christmas. Maybe we won’t be making the customary trip over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house. Still, we Americans are resourceful people, and we’ll think of ways to make these holidays memorable, even if there’s not much visiting going on. If you’re vacationing at home this season, here are six great holiday staycation ideas.

1. Hawaiian Tree Decorating Party

The typical Christmas tree has a winter theme. It might be loaded up with snowball ornaments, tinsel and winter toys. Wouldn't it be fun to make it different, as least for the first few nights?

So break out the aloha shirts and the leis and turn up the seasonal warmth with a Hawaiian tree trimming night. Set out some island snacks on colorful plates and trays. Think luau style pork, coconut pie and drinks with umbrellas for both grown-ups and kids.

Adorn the tree with leis, flowers and brightly covered ribbons. Put the children to work on construction paper chains featuring tropical colors such as yellow, hot green, pink and ocean blue. Have a beach movie or some surfing music in the background.

After a day or two, replace the Hawaiian tree decorations with more traditional ones. Or leave them up as long as you like. Mele Kalikimaka!

2. A Living Room Picnic

Who says picnics have to be outdoors in the summertime? Break that silly rule and have a little fun with a living room Christmas staycation picnic. Good any time during the season, but especially for a post-present highlight on Christmas afternoon.

Spread some blankets on the living room floor or throw a decorative tablecloth across the coffee table. Bring in folding chairs from the patio or closet. You won’t need sunscreen or bug spray, but you could place the cans on the windowsill to set the mood. And this might be a time when it’s okay to wear a summer hat indoors.

Picnic baskets are optional. A few summertime favorites such as sandwiches and potato salad are a good start, but mix in some Christmas specialties: bacon wrapped chestnuts, meatballs, sliced tortilla rollups. A generous assortment of cookies is a must. Bonus points if you top it off with a fireplace marshmallow roast.

3. Room by Room Progressive Dinner

You may not be comfortable going to four different homes, but four different rooms doesn't present a problem. Enjoy your salad in the kitchen, your appetizer in the living room, the main course at the dinner table, and finish up with dessert in the family room. As much as possible, set trays, chairs and tables out beforehand.

4. Staycation International Tourism

It’s a tall order to fly to Italy, China or Jamaica this year, so why not take a few days to bring one of those places home? Decorate a room in the colors of the country’s flag. Hang appropriate posters. Load up the stereo with opera or reggae music. Have your meals with their traditional foods, combining cook at home with carry-out. For example, won-tons and dumplings are popular choices for the Chinese solstice festival of Dongzhi. Set up a touring itinerary; once or twice a day pay an online visit to a museum, famous city, beautiful beach or other point of interest. Think of the money you’re saving on hotels, plane tickets and admission fees!

5. Redecorate the Kids’ Rooms

Redecorating may not sound like your idea of a vacation, even a staycation, but when it’s a child’s room, there’s an element of fun. There’s more freedom to go outside the box.

Here’s the key: it doesn’t have to stay that way forever. Authorize changes you might normally balk at but can live with for a short while.

It doesn’t take big differences to give that space a fresh look. You may not want to paint the entire room in unicorn purple, but you can probably handle that color for one wall or some trim. Move furniture around. Put a bench or chest at the foot of the bed. Add a lamp, an area rug or a funky plush chair. Let the child choose a piece of wall art.

Pick a new bedspread or some throw pillows. Hold your criticism over choices that aren’t on the official grown-up list of approved color combinations. They aren’t kids for long.

6. Brighten Up Here and There

The house is festive through the New Year, but then the red and green go back to the attic and the gray days of winter set in. How about taking some time during the season to add color that will bring you cheer the rest of the winter season.

Pick a new item or three for the simple reason that their brightness and color make you happy. Think throw pillows, drapes, bedspreads, even a new area rug. Put shinier bulbs in a few lamps. If you feel adventurous, paint one wall of one room in a shade you hadn’t considered before. Not feeling adventurous? Purchase some new wall art instead.

We all hope that social distancing will be only a memory by next year, and we’ll be in and out of each other’s homes for parties and get-togethers. In the meantime, let’s all put our ingenuity into gear, and one day we’ll look back on 2020 as the year we made it work in spite of everything.