Celebrating Thanksgiving In The Midst Of COVID-19

Thanksgiving is a bit different year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with cases on the rise, this entire holiday season is shaping up to have a social distancing type of theme. The CDC has advised against traveling this holiday season. And really recommends only celebrating with those in your household. Celebrating Thanksgiving in the midst of COVID-19 is tough. I know you’ll miss grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and the rest of your extended family, but it’s what’s best to help contain this pandemic.

After being home with your family for months now, I know it can be hard to come up with “new” ideas to make the holidays at home feel any different. But, here are a few ideas for celebrating:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Create new memories or traditions

Think about new memories or traditions you can create as a family this year. This can vary, depending on where you are, and what your family is used to doing. In our house, we usually focus mainly on dinner as our main course for Thanksgiving (as most families do). But, this year, we decided to have a “turkey-themed“ family breakfast – with turkey bacon, and different types of turkey sausage. Cooked by me and the kids. This is an upgrade from the cereal or frozen waffles we usually eat on Thanksgiving morning.

We’re also focusing more on gratitude this year, and reminding the kids to be grateful for what they have. We’ll spend some time thinking about the positives that have come out of the pandemic. It’s always refreshing to look at gratitude through the eyes of a child.

🦃 Decorate as a family

Pull out the fall decorations, and really get your family in the Thanksgiving mood. Spend some time decorating with your kids. We usually just focus on our entry way and dining room table for fall. But, even a small change or upgrade to those areas help to remind us that we’re kicking off the holiday season, in spite of it all.

🎥 Share a FaceTime or Zoom Thanksgiving

Plan to have dinner at a set time, and call parents, grandparents and other family members – even for a portion of your meal. If you can’t get everyone on at one time, make a few different calls to visit with different families. This is a whole lot easier than traveling from house to house – which we sometimes get stuck doing since we also live near my in-laws.

Make it fun by sharing different Thanksgiving recipes virtually, and show off the food you made.

👩‍🍳 Cook or bake with your kids

We do this most years for dinner. But like I mentioned earlier, we’re adding this in for breakfast this year, too. My kids don’t LOVE being in the kitchen, but they’re happy to mix things, or do things with their hands – especially if it means making a little bit of a mess. Find a few things on your list that you can make with your kids.

🦃 Watch the Thanksgiving parade

Another classic, that we don’t always intentionally make time for. But, I think this year, seeing the floats and Thanksgiving decorations will help remind us that it really is Thanksgiving – even though it doesn’t feel like it.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Play outside

Get out of the house and have some fun (safely!). Jump in the pool if it’s warm where you are. Head to an isolated spot at the beach, if it’s open. Just getting out and getting some fresh air will make a difference in your mood.

🎲 Play a few board games

An oldie but a goodie. Board games are an awesome way to bring your family together. And to also have some healthy competition!

🍿 Have a movie night to end the day

Whether you find one that’s Thanksgiving-themed, or look forward to the rest of the holiday season. In our house, as soon as we’re done eating Thanksgiving dinner, we’re in Christmas mode! So, if that’s you, pull out a nice Christmas movie, to really get your family in the holiday spirit!

I know it’s been a rough year, but celebrating Thanksgiving in the midst of COVID-19 doesn’t have to be all bad. Use this time to really reflect on all you have to be grateful for. All the things that are still intact in your life, in the midst of everything. And just keep on focusing on your family!

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Do you have any other ideas for safely celebrating Thanksgiving in the midst of COVID-19? I’d love to hear them! Just leave them in the comments below!

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