Happy Thanksgiving 2020
'Tis the season for giving gifts, being thankful, and eating lots and lots of food. Nevertheless, amidst the ongoing pandemic, your Thanksgiving festivities might look a bit different. Maybe instead of a packed house, you are only entertaining your immediate family members. Or perhaps you will be spending the holiday alone. Whatever the case, there are ways to make your Thanksgiving feel warm and cheerful even while staying safe and social distancing.
Send A Care Package—if you or your high-risk family members are spending the holiday alone, consider sending them a care package full of their favorite treats. Include a nice note to show you are thinking of them. Celebrating holidays away from loved ones may be difficult, but a thoughtful care package will be a glimmer of hope for better days ahead.
Donate Items to a Food Pantry—countless people lost their jobs, homes, and security this past year. With thousands of food pantries expecting high demand this holiday season, consider gathering the family to volunteer or donate to a food pantry. Check out this list to see the most needed food pantry items across the country.
Send Meals to Loved Ones—2020 has brought us a lot of viral drive-by celebrations. Consider making a meal and dropping it off in a drive-by. Pack it all up in a festive box and include some Thanksgiving-themed crafts or a handwritten note. While we may feel slightly discouraged this year, we can still adapt and share the holiday with the people we love most. And what better way to share some love than with a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal?
Schedule a Virtual Celebration—technology has helped all of us feel less alone this past year. Whether it is a virtual wedding, birthday, or holiday, virtual celebrations are very 2020. Send out a digital invite for your virtual gathering. Gathering online will not only give everyone something to look forward to, but you'll also get to enjoy your Thanksgiving meal with the people closest to you.
Host Thanksgiving Outdoors—temperatures on the East Coast are already dropping, but if you're lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, there are tons of ways to have a successful, COVID-19-free party. Consider altering your recipes with a new grilling technique and wow your guests with a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal. If you're brave enough to host Thanksgiving outdoors in the cold, consider stocking up on hot apple cider, blankets, and hand warmers. If there's a will, there is a way!
2020 has been fraught with trials and tribulations. There have been good times and bad times, and we all need each other more than ever. While we may not be able to see our loved ones in person, it's important to remain hopeful. One day we'll look back on Thanksgiving 2020 and share stories of how well we all adapted. No matter how you decide to spend your Thanksgiving, be safe, and most importantly, be thankful.
Follow the CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
