Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following advice for families who usually travel long distances to celebrate Thanksgiving together: DON’T DO IT.
“Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household,” is among the high risk activities the CDC warns against in the guidance it issued for the holidays.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate with family and friends — just plan on an online Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some tips for prepping and celebrating with loved ones — at a safe distance.
Thinking small for Thanksgiving dinner
Six steps to a great Zoom Thanksgiving
“It’s a strange situation that we find ourselves in at the moment and we all have to make an effort,” said Julia Esteve Boyd of The Etiquette Consultant, one of several party planning experts who spoke with Mom.com in order to create this Zoom Thanksgiving checklist.
1. Select one person to be the host
Perhaps this would be the person who would be hosting the event in real life. And if the same family always hosts, maybe this would be a good, no-pressure time to switch it up.
2. Make a formal plan with all the participants.
Julia suggested some things to consider. “How long will it last? Will you share your cooking skills with everyone? Do you want to have a theme? It may be a virtual event but it’s still an event! Try to think of games or activities that everyone can join in with. The success depends on the preparation.”
3. Decide if everyone will be cooking the same menu.
“By sharing special family recipes in advance you can make sure that everyone is eating the same thing,” Bonnie Tsai of Beyond Etiquette told Mom.com.
“If you miss cooking with your family during Thanksgiving, you can schedule Zoom Thanksgiving prep sessions with family members to prepare for the big dinner so it creates an atmosphere as if you’re all spending it together,” she added.
4. Make it special.
Event planner Lynne Goldberg suggests that the host put together a virtual Thanksgiving box for each of the other participating households, which could include everything from the Thanksgiving recipes, to cocktail ingredients, to games the participants could play around the table.
5. Get dressed up and set a nice table.
“This might sound silly if you’re alone but you should absolutely make the effort,” said Julia. “Arrange your camera so your family and friends can see you and the food that you’ve prepared. Ask them to do the same. Thanksgiving is a celebration, where is the fun if you don’t make an effort?”
6. Be thankful!
“Despite the gloom of 2020, if you’re enjoying Thanksgiving dinner then you already have something to be thankful for,” Julia said. “Say it! That’s what Thanksgiving is about!”
