Staying at home this Canada Day? If you can’t take extra days off to turn this mid-week holiday into a longer weekend, we’ve gathered 5 ways to still make the most of it on 1 July from the comforts of your own home.
Recreate traditional Canadian foods at home
When, if not now, is the time to finally make your favourite Canadian dishes from scratch? Food for Canada Day involves classics like lobster rolls from Nova Scotia or delicious bannock from Canada’s Aboriginal people. And then there’s poutine: Why not recreate Quebec’s favourite street food of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy at home? Frozen French fries or homemade, the choice is yours.
If you have children, ask them to join in so that you can experience the preparations for Canada’s Birthday as a family, which is a welcome change.
Gather for a virtual Canada Day block party
Let’s take the annual Canada Day block party online via video call. Send out virtual invitations weeks in advance to let your loved ones know the date for your online Canada Day gathering. It’s not only a lovely surprise among all those usual emails, but something for everyone to look forward to. A virtual “block party” could be just what you all needed: Eat some cake together, toast Canada Day with some traditional rye and ginger or a Caesar, and catch up with friends.
Canadian Heritage is also inviting everyone to take part in interactive online activities and midday and evening shows so that everybody can celebrate Canada Day virtually.
Enjoy a virtual barbecue with family and friends
Make the most of your green space and celebrate Canada Day outside. Fire up the grill and enjoy a barbecue with your housemates, and extend it into a virtual barbecue with friends and family via Zoom. Anything that shakes up the routine makes for good memories.
Bake some creative sweet treats
Something that no Fête du Canada should be without: delicious sweet treats from around the country. How about a butter tart from Ontario, Saskatoon berry pie, or traditional Tarte au Sucre topped with marzipan maple leaves? Or a batch of classic Canadian Nanaimo Bars (named after a city in British Columbia) with red maple flags on top? Double the recipe and leave leftovers at your neighbor’s door with a sweet note to show kindness and support something we all need right now.
Go camping at home
Try camping in a tent in the backyard, or pitching a tent with the kids in your living room the perfect end to a fun and festive Canada Day celebration at home.
Need more of a break, but still want to stay close to home? Check out these nearby easy escapes.
How will you celebrate Canada Day this year?
