5 Ways to Celebrate Independence Day at Home

Almost one year have passed since we celebrate our Independence Day in the middle of pandemic – and it seems like we have to postpone this festivity yet again. In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, as well as supporting the government’s effort to bring back the nation’s stability, we must follow any sort of health and safety protocols diligently. If this unfortunate situation blows over before 2022, wouldn’t that be fun for all of us?

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t get into the festivity of Independence Day at home. With enough will, ideas, and creativity, each one of us can turn the most mundane thing into something unique! This month, we have prepared five ideas for those of you who are looking forward to celebrate Indonesia’s special day with your family. Since we won’t be able to invite friends or families over during this PPKM, these activities would be perfect to be done by 2-5 people.

1. Joining virtual flag ceremony

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Ever since Covid-19 spreads across the globe, there are many activities that unfortunately have to be conducted online for our safety. From online class to online meeting, people have found creative ways to adapt themselves to this new normal. This situation has also changed the way we celebrate Independence Day. Starting from the mid-2020, virtual flag ceremony has become one of the mandatory activities to be done around August 17^th. In order to join this ceremony, people will sign up to pandang.istanapresiden.go.id by filling in some necessary information. Once their request is accepted, they will get a link that can be opened on the day of the ceremony. This year, you can also get into the festivity of Independence Day by joining another virtual ceremony held by Pandang Istana Presiden!

2. Putting up Independence Day decoration theme

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Though it will be impossible to throw a huge Independence Day celebration during this pandemic, that doesn’t mean you can’t amp up your home with some fun decors. To get into the spirit of Hari Kemerdekaan, don’t forget to add some Red and White themed decoration around the house. One of the easiest ways to do this is to find red and white balloons, some miniature flags, and maybe you can add tassels here and there. These decors will not only create a cheerful atmosphere around your living space, but it’ll also remind you of how Independence Day celebration used to be before the pandemic.

3. Wearing fun costume for the day

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Celebrating Independence Day at home wouldn’t feel complete without wearing an appropriate costume. For those who are planning to join the virtual ceremony, you are encouraged to wear traditional costume to the event. Luckily for us, we live in a country where there are 34 Provinces to choose from – so you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to costume. But, if you don’t have access to this type of clothing, you can simply combine red shirt with white pants or the other way around. If you have red and white ribbon or tie laying around somewhere, use this as a head piece. Last but not least, you can paint your cheek with our country’s flag colour!

4. Creating dishes with Independence Day theme

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Many people believe that creativity knows no bound – and this is something we can all agree on. If you want to try out something new for this year’s Independence Day, throw on your apron and find HUT RI inspired recipe to experiment on! Nasi Tumpeng Merah Putih is one of the most unique dish that you can prepare for your family. Since the recipe is quite similar with the traditional Nasi Tumpeng, you can add a unique touch to this dish by combining the colour Red and White on your rice. If you lean more towards dessert, Red and White themed cookie, cupcake, or pudding can be the perfect pick for you. We can guarantee that your Independence Day celebration will be unforgettable with delicious food presents.

5. Celebrate it with friends and families online

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This year, you might not going to be able to throw a lavish Independence Day celebration with friends and family like two years ago. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t find an alternative! With the rising popularity of online-based event, you can also arrange a Zoom party for HUT RI! To spice up this online party game, try to pick a background that feels unique and also suitable for the occasion. Wear an outfit which represents the spirit of Independence Day such as traditional costume or a staple Red-White combo. Lastly, spare a few minutes for an entertaining game session so your party feels more lively.