Thanksgiving is not only a celebration of the fall harvest but is a day of significance across several countries. It is the day when individuals and communities come together to celebrate each other! Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for the presence of others in our lives and cherishing the blessings we enjoy. This is the occasion when the spirit of shared gratitude unites friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.
However, with the pandemic still looming large in most parts of the world, we must embrace the ‘new normal’ in terms of celebrating this very special occasion. We have several ideas up our sleeves to help you uphold the essence of Thanksgiving, even amidst the ongoing Covid scenario!
Plan a Virtual Dinner with Your Family
It looks like traveling is a tricky affair this year, but that shouldn’t deter you from celebrating together. Share recipes amongst your family and friends beforehand, and then you can host a virtual dinner! After all, Zoom and Skype shouldn’t be limited to business meetings alone! Besides enjoying your home-cooked meals with your favorite people, you can also play games, raise a toast, and be reminded of everything you appreciate in your life.
A Picnic or Backyard Bash Shouldn’t be a Big Deal
If you have a close circle of friends or family over, why not arrange a picnic in your backyard? It’s safer to be outdoors than being within the confines of your home, given the current state of things. Besides, the foliage will make for a lovely backdrop to your Thanksgiving celebration! Of course, it has to be a lunch or brunch, so that you can make the most of the natural light.
Opt for Single Servings
Though Thanksgiving meals conventionally resort to buffet-style servings, it is not recommended amidst the raging pandemic. Instead, you can have a designated person to serve turkey and sides without having the casserole and other food containers being passed around. It will minimize the chances of infection and still not come in the way of your celebration!
Outdoor Entertainment for Your Guests
In many homes, watching football or a favorite family movie is a regular Thanksgiving tradition. Why not twist it and have it outdoors instead? You can also plan other fun activities such as croquet, badminton, or corn hole. It won’t violate the social distancing protocols and will ensure quality time with your near and dear ones.
Deck up Your Place in Festive Themes
You may not have a full-blown gathering this year, but don’t let that stop you from decorating your home! Get ahold of fall-themed décor details such as garlands, dried flowers, or colorful maize to lend a Thanksgiving feel to your home. You can also take this opportunity to bring out your creative side! Involve the kids and adults alike, and gear up for some DIY time, whether it be hand-printed turkey hats, paper bags, or Thanksgiving wreaths.
Spare a Thought for the Seniors
If you are all by yourself on Thanksgiving and would like to do something special, a great way is to prepare your favorite recipes and contact your local delivery service and send it to your friendly neighbors. This will ensure that your family members and neighbors who belong to the high-risk zone are not deprived of the Thanksgiving spirit. Let them taste your pumpkin pie in a contact-free way!
Many local restaurants and chains are also offering Thanksgiving meals, which you can have delivered. It will save you the time and effort to prepare a traditional meal at home and lend support to local, small businesses.
Give Back to the Community
The holidays are undoubtedly the best time for giving; however, COVID has made it difficult to do that in person. But you can still consider donating to a food bank that delivers meals to elders. Alternatively, you can volunteer to do grocery shopping for people who cannot do so themselves. Holiday festivities are all about coming together as a society and do our bit.
SEE ALSO: Feel Good This Thanksgiving by Volunteering in Nyc
Why miss out on holiday rituals altogether? Instead, the need of the times demands alternative ways to indulge in the festive spirit. The only way we can deal with this never-seen-before scenario is to renew the social ties and cherish the beauty of togetherness.
The times are trying, but the holidays can be the best opportunities to find strength in relationships, with our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Try these COVID-friendly ways to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, and we bet you won’t miss out on a lot!
