Homecance" is a blend of the words "home" and "vacance," meaning to spend a vacation at home. Due to the impact of COVID-19, many planned trips, events, and gatherings have been canceled, and even going to crowded places while wearing masks feels unsettling these days. Our ordinary daily lives are gradually changing. As the year-end approaches, let's explore creative ideas for making our altered routines enjoyable and safe.

# Home Camping

Set up a tent in a suitable spot inside your home. Add some soft lighting and blankets. Sitting inside the tent can create the illusion of being on a camping trip. You can read books with your kids, draw pictures, and listen to atmospheric music while enjoying delicious cocoa, creating a unique ambiance. If you pitch a tent in your backyard, consider making a cozy bonfire and roasting marshmallows to make tasty s'mores with chocolate and snacks.

# Create a Movie Theater Experience with a Projector

It’s hard to remember the last time we went to a movie theater with popcorn in hand, watching a film on a big screen. Why not create a home theater with a projector? Clear a wall, set up comfortable seating, and gather with family to watch a movie together. The excitement is distinctly different from watching on TV. Prepare popcorn and nachos, wrap up in warm blankets, and enjoy a family movie night.

# Hire a Private Chef

Throughout the pandemic, many home cooks have been exhausted from preparing three meals a day for their families. Imagine having a chef come to your home to prepare a full course meal, from appetizers to desserts. This would be a truly healing experience. Hiring a private chef allows you to enjoy unique dishes and properly prepared meals with family and friends, providing comfort to those who miss dining out. You can search for "Private Chef" online and make a reservation.

# Virtual Tour

Although exhibitions and performances have been canceled, making it difficult to enjoy cultural activities, you can still take virtual tours of museums, aquariums, zoos, and national parks around the world from home. With Virtual Reality (VR), you can experience the sensation of traveling as if you were actually there, which is a great comfort for parents who feel guilty about not being able to take their kids out. The San Diego Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, and Monterey Bay Aquarium offer live webcams to see pandas, penguins, and more. Museums like the British Museum in London and Musée d’Orsay in Paris provide Online Viewing Rooms (OVR), making it easier for art lovers to enjoy exhibitions. Yosemite National Park also offers detailed descriptions and beautiful videos, allowing you to hear the sounds of waterfalls and wind, enhancing your connection with nature.

# Paint and Sip at Home

You no longer have to miss out on girls' nights spent painting and sipping wine with friends. An art teacher can send painting supplies to your home, and you can have a special day painting together online under their guidance. Even though it's through a screen, you can enjoy painting while chatting over a glass of wine, creating a wonderful time together. You can search for "Virtual Paint Night" online and make a reservation.

# Honk Parade

A unique way to celebrate a friend's birthday has emerged: gather near their house at a set time, drive by honking instead of clapping, and wave from your cars to celebrate together without physical contact. You can give birthday gifts or goodie bags, but even without those, just seeing the faces of loved ones and receiving birthday wishes can make the day feel special.

# Virtual Events

In this "untact" era, many of our events are being held virtually, with no limits on size. Whether joyful or sorrowful, the concept of "togetherness" is evolving. For events like baby celebrations or weddings, families can hold simple gatherings while broadcasting the actual event via Zoom or Google Meet, allowing more people to celebrate the moment together. Not only joyful occasions, but even funerals can now be shared virtually, providing a space to share grief. Concerts by celebrities are also conducted in a way where audiences watch the stage on screen while performers engage with the viewers. While it’s a bit sad to realize that simply watching can be a source of strength, there is also gratitude in this new reality.