Party Of One: Celebrating Thanksgiving Solo

The day before Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest travel days of the year, but with more than 1 million COVID-19 cases reported in the United States this past week, holiday celebrations will probably look different this year. The safest way to celebrate is to stay home and spend time with people you live with.

2020 is the year of new traditions and of thinking outside the box. While you may not get to see your extended family in person, there are many ways to make the most of the holiday season.  

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​Send Thanksgiving care packages

Take time to tell those you love them with a handwritten note with candy or baked goods. Try getting crafty with a handmade, thoughtful gift.

Prepare dishes for neighbors and friends

Just because you’re not gathering doesn’t mean you can’t eat together. If you’re celebrating with those who live close, have everyone prepare a Thanksgiving dish and drop off pre-proportioned meals on doorsteps. Then schedule a Zoom meeting for everyone to test each other’s recipes together.

Share your recipes

If you don’t live close to those you’re celebrating with, share your recipes with them!  Do you have a crowd favorite apple pie recipe that people can’t wait to eat every year? Now’s the time to share your secret.  Have everyone make the same food on Thanksgiving day.

Play virtual games

To make Thanksgiving more festive, play games through Zoom. Here are a couple to try:

• 20 questions —learn more about your extended family and friends by asking 20 creative questions. You can find a list of questions here.
  
• Pictionary — divide your group into two and play this classic game of trying to guess what the other person is drawing.
  

If you DO gather with people, here are some guidelines, recommended by the CDC:

• Wear masks!
• Wash your hands 
• If you live in a warm climate, have an outdoor party
• Frequently wash down high-contact surfaces

• Avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors
• Treat pets as you would people – do not let pets interact with people outside the household
• Have everyone serve themselves and clear their own plate​​

Written by Katy Savage