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Thanksgiving 2020 is not cancelled!
Updated: Nov 7, 2020
I know it seems like everything has been taken from us in 2020 including some really important holidays!
But I think there is a still a way to make Thanksgiving special, festive and fun! It just takes some flexibility and a little bit of planning.
Here are some suggestions for a pandemic approved Thanksgiving festivities!
Virtual Party
Yes, we have had too many Zoom meetings and everyone is over these virtual parties but this is still a great option for people who want to “gather” and check in with their relatives.
Here are some tips to make these virtual gathering less torturous and more fun!
Organize people – make sure you have everyone’s emails and everyone knows and understands how to use Zoom or whatever method you choose. You can do group videos through Facetime if everyone is an iPhone user or through Facebook Messenger video as well.
Have an agenda – Nothing is worse than getting together over a group video call and no one know what to say or just go on random tangents that drag on for too long. Have a plan! Do you want to go around and ask how everyone is doing? Is the family so big that we need to reintroduce everyone? Make a plan and stick to it.
Ask fun questions – Have some topics or questions to talk about that will keep everyone of all different ages engaged. “What are you thankful for today?” is a classic but feel free to get really creative!
Here are some question suggestions:
Who really inspired you this year?
What were you thankful for during quarantine?
What simple, everyday item are you thankful for (not technology related)?
Immediate Family Only
Are you only comfortable celebrating this thanksgiving with just your spouse and kids this year? That's is totally okay! You have to do what is best for you and your family and do not apologize for it! Here are a couple tips on how to make even your tiny Thanksgiving festive.
Get fancy and still dress up! – Nothing is more fun than dressing really fancy and having nowhere to go! Make sure to take some fun pictures as well. Set up a tripod or a pile of books and set a timer - bam, "professional" holiday pictures done!
Individual gratitude letters! – Write individual gratitude letters for each person! Usually Thanksgiving gatherings are way too big to get this detailed and personal but this year you can go all out and write your kids and spouse a long letter describing all the things you love about them! You will always look back at those letters and remember your little pandemic Thanksgiving together.
Order in and have fun with it! – Sure, you can go all out and cook up a storm! OR you can get creative and just order out from your favorite place! A smaller group calls for a fancier dinner!
Small Gatherings (under 10)
If you feel comfortable with it, you could have a small thanksgiving gathering of just your "pod." What a way to celebrate your little community and be grateful for the support we have been to each other during this crazy year!
Potluck style – You don’t have to do it all yourself! Plus if you are getting together with your pod of non-family members, it would be fun to bring traditional dishes from different families so everyone gets a taste of home during this holiday!
Try out outdoor options – I know the weather doesn’t always permit but consider gathering outdoors! Get creative with blankets, heaters, and bonfires. Maybe even use the garage with the door open as an option that allows for social distancing, some protection from the elements and provides much needed air circulation.
Get creative with social distancing seating – you don’t have to sit around a table! Get creative with social distancing by spacing out chairs, using smaller tables, etc.
Have a festive mask decorating station – Use non-scented, no-fume (no sharpies!) markers to draw on those single use masks and keep them after the party to remember this Thanksgiving of 2020!
I hope these tips and ideas were helpful for you and this blog got your creative juices flowing when thinking about Thanksgiving this year.
Whatever you end up doing, I hope you find a way to celebrate this holiday by being grateful and festive!
Hopefully next year will look different and we will look back on the holiday season of 2020 as a once-in-a-lifetime special occasion. So let's make it memorable!
If you feel like you're ready to make the best of this holiday season but feel like you need some organization, contact us here.
We would love to help you get your home prepped for the holidays so you can enjoy your family more and worry about hiding your mess or constantly cleaning up less!
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