Top 5 Bs: Coping Tricks for Cheer in the Time of Covid

Small comforts will help us through.

Books and Christmas magazines, old or new, soothe the spirit. This cozy gingerbread cottage was designed by artist and baker Ollie Alpert for the December 1995 cover.

1. Bows. Yup, like utilitarian face masks, these are essential — be they red velvet for your tree branches, or tiny, glittery ones glued to hair clips for babies, girls, teens, adults (with buns) or sweet dogs. Over the Moon is a magical children’s shop with beautiful hair bows.
2. Big sweaters. There are no ugly ones this year. The more bells and Fair Isle* designs, the better. Kiel James Patrick, from New England, has the best (though pricey) picks in big and little sizes. I stumbled upon the brand many summers ago, when I bought a preppy rope bracelet with anchor clasp in the Salt Pond Visitor Center store on Cape Cod.
3. Baileys. In moderation — poured into a steaming cup of coffee with a fluffy, Santa-size cap of freshly whipped organic cream. Imagine you live in a farmhouse, not a stressed-out scene, as the beaters whir; add a little pure vanilla extract. To marry #2 and #3, shop the internet for Christmas sweaters for liquor bottles. If you don’t drink, have chilled eggnog; even CVS sells it in the milk case.
4. Balsam. Any fragrant evergreen will do if it transports you to a Christmas tree farm (visiting one is on my bucket list). Try branches in a glass vase; a candle ring from L.L. Bean or Whole Foods; swags for porch posts; or a wreath from…