From in the home to out, many holiday traditions are still able to be shared during this unique holiday season.

Although it might seem as if the holiday spirit has gone, there is still love and joy filling the homes, and streets, of many. With high hopes of a better next year, we have found some traditions that we can still safely carry out this 2020 season.

Below is a list to help you try to make the best of this most wonderful time of the year!

We ask that if you are on the road and stepping out of the car to get a closer look at one of the displays or purchasing items for an activity, please follow proper COVID-19 protocols. This list is designed to keep everyone safe during this difficult time.

7 DeCamp Court, West Caldwell, N.J.

If you are looking for some holiday spirit, you can definitely count on 7 DeCamp. This Caldwell house twinkles with a beautiful array of Christmas decorations & lights during the holiday season daily after dusk. For years this front lawn display has shined in the West Essex area and is always a popular spot for students and local families to go. You can park at the curb, stay in the car and look out the window at the wonderful display.

Martorana Christmas House

396 Fairfield Road, Wayne, N.J.

This local home known as the Martorana Christmas House located in Wayne, N.J. has captured the attention of many residents and tourists during this holiday season. The breathtaking lights and 180 impressive inflatables give off the Christmas spirit we all need this year. Despite the challenging year, this family still manages to bring smiles to everyone's faces that come to see this extraordinary home. You can simply stay in your car and drive by or walk through the display. Similar to the other houses on this list, this home is best seen during the night-time. Guests are welcomed between 8 a.m. and 12 a.m.; the lights come on at 4 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Brianna Matarazzo)

DaSilva Christmas Light Display

6 Viking Court, Randolph, N.J.

This holiday experience touches on all the components every holiday lover wants to see this season. From the lights, to the candy-canes to the classic Christmas music surrounding the home, everyone travels near and afar to see what this house has to offer. This house not only provides a light show for all to see, they also have a winter wonderland walk through as well. Through donations from the display, the family has been supporting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital since 2016. This house is lit from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day until Jan. 2.

(Photo courtesy of Alyssa Gagliano)

3 Bedminster Road, Randolph, N.J.

This house brings you the holiday spirit from the moment your eyes spot the many lights and decorations. Even though this trip is a little drive from the West Essex area, it is totally worth every minute of it! This house truly captures the hearts of many N.J. residents with its creativity spiking every inch of the household. The light show at this home is operated during the night time as well.

(Photo courtesy of Alyssa Gagliano)

Morris Holiday Lights

3 Indian Falls Road, Mine Hills Township, N.J.

From your own car, this socially-distant holiday experience is unlike any other. This house is covered with 50,000 bright lights and holiday decor and has a radio station playing 30 songs that correspond to the lights being displayed. This light show replicates the Macy’s windows in NYC, but this one has a New Jersey spin on it which makes this house a staple piece for locals to visit during the holiday season. This house starts their shows at the night time.

(Photo courtesy of Alyssa Gagliano)

The classics

Whether it's decorating gingerbread houses, baking cookies, watching movies or drinking hot cocoa, each of these classic holiday activities guarantee a good time. There is nothing better than having a friendly competition of making gingerbread houses while drinking some hot cocoa by the fireplace. These classic at-home activities are ones like no other. In correspondence to the craziness occurring during this unique year, these activities are something that can be shared with others via Zoom or FaceTime. A little friendly virtual competition can’t hurt! Items and ingredients can be picked up at your local store or delivered from many stores or local businesses. These moments shared with friends and family, whether in person or virtually, are something that will never be forgotten.

Christmas crafts

This year for sure has been a strange one, so why not make some crafts to remember it? From sentimental ornaments to funky felt decorations, the possibilities are endless with these memorable homemade crafts. You can find some kits online, like the one linked below, or you can simply make them with construction paper and string from your own home. Not only will your family bond over creating these crafts, but you will also be able to mail them or show your loved ones what you have created!

Drop off gift exchange

Especially with the difficult challenges many have faced this year, there is nothing that compares to giving a gift to a friend or loved one. An exchange of sentimental gifts is the perfect way to show someone how much you care about them. Whether homemade or store bought, friends and family can drop off or pick up their gifts at one’s front door step and then they can all open them together virtually. This not only allows them to be safe and follow COVID-19 protocols, but it still gives them the opportunity to give each other a little something special this holiday season.