Another holiday during the pandemic means another opportunity to find alternative ways to celebrate! For many, this will mean a very different Thanksgiving for 2020. CDC Guidelines advise against large, indoor gatherings - indeed, any gatherings with people outside of your household carry the risk of transmission. However, with a bit of creativity, you can still enjoy the day and get to spend some quality time giving thanks with loved ones.
Virtual Dinner
Thank goodness for technology giving us virtual ways to see each other. On Thanksgiving Day you can set up a video call with your friends or family - get in the kitchen together and prepare your meal, or set them up on a device and seat them virtually at your table. If you are not tech-savvy, don’t forget the power of a phone call to make someone feel connected and included.
Dinner Delivery
If you have family who live nearby, or friends and neighbors who you know will be alone, why not prepare their favorite elements of the traditional turkey dinner and drop it off at their house in advance? Then you can arrange to eat “together” on the day.
Movie or Game Night
Family movie night or board games are a great way for people in your household to enjoy themselves. You can also extend this to people outside of your home - several movie streaming services, such as Netflix, offer a way to watch movies together even if you are in separate houses. There are also apps that enable you to take part in games such as trivia or card games with other households via the internet.
Get Outside
If the weather complies, a good walk is a great way to blow off the cobwebs and work up an appetite! If you are walking with members of another household, remember to wear your masks and keep your distance.
Give Back
As well as giving thanks, the holidays are also a good time to give back. Food pantries or banks are always grateful for donations of non-perishable items and toiletries - contact them to find out what they are most in need of. Or get together with the children and write thank you cards to essential workers that can be safely delivered before or after the holiday. Another way to mark the holiday is to take part in a gratitude activity - gather people in your household together and share things you are grateful for. Even in these tough times, it's possible to find reasons to feel thankful this year.