Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
It has now become clear to everyone that Thanksgiving 2020 is going to be different than any year previous.
The entire Thanksgiving holiday is built around gathering and sharing the ritual of preparing and enjoying food together--two things that are not possible to do safely this year. At least not in the same way.
However, just because we may not be able to gather in the kitchen and around the table with our loved ones this year doesn't mean that we can't stay connected.
In fact, the circumstances we find ourselves in this Thanksgiving offer a blank slate to start keeping the holiday in a whole new way.
We wanted to share a few ways to practice self-care and stay connected during Thanksgiving 2020.
Virtual Thanksgiving Togetherness
Zoom, Facetime and other similar platforms are now a daily occurrence in most households. The same will likely hold true for Thanksgiving 2020. As travel plans and hopes of get-togethers change, video platforms are the next best thing to being there in person.
You can prop up your camera during meal prep to simulate cooking together, or gather around for an after-feast catch up call with your loved ones. Though it can never replace being together in person, seeing and hearing your family and friends is the next best thing to being there.
Embrace a Friendsgiving with Roommates
If you've been quarantining with roommates or friends, this year can be the first year you have a Friendsgiving.
Combine the traditions of all of your families, or do something completely out-of-the-ordinary like making pizzas or having a buffet spread of breakfast food for dinner. You make the rules!
If you want to keep a traditional Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time to try a new recipe or learn how to make a family-favorite. You may find a new tradition you simply love and want to repeat every year.
Practice Self-Care
If you find yourself spending the holiday alone, it's especially important that you practice self-care and find ways to connect.
Make your favorite foods for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner for one (and hey, bright side, you get ALL of the pie!!) If you usually watch a certain holiday film or have another family tradition, keep it.
If you find all the holiday fanfare simply feels like too much, then do what feels best to you. Take a hot candle-lit bath with essential oils. Give yourself an at-home DIY spa day. Spend some time checking in with yourself about what you need, and don't be afraid to give those things to yourself.
Fill the Day With Activities
The day may feel less odd if you fill it full of new holiday traditions. You could consider any of these fun, indoor activities to do solo or with your quarantine buddies this Thanksgiving:
Color: Order some holiday-themed coloring books and a beautiful new pack of colored pencils or markers and go crazy! Coloring is peaceful, meditative, easy to do while listening to Christmas music, sipping a hot drink, or eating Thanksgiving leftovers.
Build Gingerbread Houses: Build beautiful houses from a kit like our homemade gluten free gingerbread house or freestyle it with your very own gingerbread recipe. Houses can even be made with simple things like graham crackers and icing. This is an especially fun activity to do with children looking for something to do on Thanksgiving afternoon!
Decorate Early: Some people feel that Christmas decorations should not come out before December, but with everyone needing some extra cheer this year, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to haul out the lights and tinsel. It's a fun activity and will make your environment beautiful and comfy throughout the anticipated wait for Christmas.
Get a Head Start on Shopping: Most Christmas shopping will probably be done digitally this year. With some supply chain issues already arising due to COVID-19, getting a head start on the holiday shopping is a great plan. (Nuflours offers several gluten free baked goods that make great stocking stuffers, and don't forget you can order from us online!)
The most important thing you can do while keeping yourself and loved ones safe this Thanksgiving is not allow the change to ruin your holiday. Keep your mind open to new possibilities for fun and connectedness while keeping the traditions that are most important to you, even if it means having to adapt them a little for Thanksgiving 2020.
We truly are all in this together. The future is bright and we are right in there with you!