The weather has (finally) cooled down and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! If you’re like us, you love Thanksgiving because it means delicious food and quality time spent with family or friends. However, this year might look a little different … but that’s OK! If you’re wondering how on Earth you’re going to celebrate this year, we’ve got some fantastic, easy and out-of-the-box ideas for you! Whether your inspired to set aside your usual Thanksgiving traditions and try something new this year or trying to replicate some semblance of your family’s Thanksgiving traditions because you find them comforting during these uncertain times, we’ve got you covered.
- Dine together virtually
You may be sick of virtual work meetings, but you can easily make a virtual Thanksgiving with friends and family who live close by fun! Organize a menu of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes and assign each household a dish to make. Divide the dishes into separate containers, one for each household you are celebrating with and deliver them to the other households on Thanksgiving morning. Once your drop-off is complete, each household can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal prepared by all of their friends and family on a video call! Be sure to set your tables with festive Thanksgiving decorations to make it all the more fun for everyone and provide a sense of normalcy as well!
- Order or send food
We’ve all been under a lot of stress this year. Maybe you want to use Thanksgiving Day as a time to relax. Cut yourself some slack by ordering a few side dishes instead of preparing the entire feast yourself. A few options are to order basic pre-cooked items from the grocery store or better yet, order your meal from a local restaurant, which is a great way to support businesses that were hit hard during the pandemic.
You might also consider sending your loved ones a specialty food or a gift basket to show you care for them, although you may not be able to celebrate together in person. A few ideas for this are to either order them food online or add a personal touch by sending them something you’ve made yourself!
- Celebrate al fresco
Consider taking advantage of this cooler weather by throwing a socially distanced outdoor party! It’s safer and easier for multiple households to gather outside, whether it’s in a park or your own backyard! Feel free to portion out the meal in advance and distribute during the gathering for a safer option. Be sure to gather all of your picnic essentials prior to and, if possible, consider getting an outdoor heater in case the temperature gets too chilly. Throw blankets will work just as well though!
Inspiration: washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/22/thanksgiving-2020-coronavirus-rethink-how-we-celebrate/
