This year continues to be challenging as milestones and holidays are deemed some of the most dangerous times to get together, while those are the exact times we normally would get together with the people we love. Here are a few ideas for having a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Remember, we can best show who we are thankful for in our actions this year.
1) Host a virtual Thanksgiving meal with friends and family who don’t live with you:
Schedule a time to share a meal together virtually.
Have people share recipes and show their turkey, dressing, or other dishes they prepared!
2) Watch television and play games with people in your household:
Watch Thanksgiving Day parades, sports, and movies at home.
Find a fun game to play from Chutes and Ladders to Axis and Allies.
3) Shopping/Black Friday:
Shop online sales the day after Thanksgiving and days leading up to the winter holidays.
Use contactless services for purchased items, like curbside pick-up.
Shop in open air markets staying 6 feet away from others and wear a mask.
4) One dish at a time:
Safely prepare traditional dishes and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch).
5) Prioritize an "Attitude of Gratitude"
Participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family.
6) In it to win it!:
Set up a family game night that involves a virtual gaming platform where all parties can play a game together online from different households. Some of our favorites and/or recommendations from our friends have been: Jackbox games, Among Us, and Escape the Room virtual scenarios!
7) Tradition!
One of the reasons missing a holiday like Thanksgiving is so hard is that for many of us, these days are steeped, simmered, and stewed with tradition. Okay, I'm already excited for the food that we will have in my house! Maybe this year it is time to think of a new tradition that is so good it is not just a "stand in" for this year, but something you want to do again next year!
8) New/Old Recipe
Have you always wanted the root vegetables to turn out just like Mom makes them? Maybe this year it is finally time to dedicate yourself to learning an old family favorite recipe, or be bold an make a new dish without the added pressure of your whole family eating it. This is a great year for practice! :)
9) Hosting In-Person Thanksgiving (Be Careful!)
This is tricky, because it certainly is one of the highest risk activities to consider this year. If you are, consider the following ways to minimize risk, but realize that it does not eliminate risk. That said, if having guests to your home, be sure that people follow the steps that everyone can take to make Thanksgiving safer. These steps include:
Have a small outdoor meal with family and friends who live in your community.
Limit the number of guests.
Have conversations with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
If celebrating indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible. You can use a window fan in one of the open windows to blow air out of the window. This will pull fresh air in through the other open windows.
Limit the number of people in food preparation areas.
Have guests bring their own food and drink.
If sharing food, have one person serve food and use single-use options, like plastic utensils.
10) Attending In-Person Thanksgiving (Be Careful!)
Again, this is a little tricky, because it is one of the highest risk activities to consider this year. If you are, consider the following ways to minimize risk, but realize that it does not eliminate risk. That said, if attending someone else's party, be sure that you follow the steps that everyone can take to make Thanksgiving safer. These steps include:
Speaking with host ahead of time to confirm safety standards in the home
Bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.
Wear a mask and safely store your mask while eating and drinking.
Avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen.
Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets, and disposable items like food containers, plates, and utensils.
However you choose to safely celebrate this year, know that I am grateful for you and so I am choosing to keep my distance. I am thankful for you also keeping yours. Together we can all make a big difference!
Prepare, don't panic,
-Allison
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