One thing is for sure: Given we are still in the midst of a pandemic, Thanksgiving 2020 will be a memorable one. It’s up to us to decide what type of memorable that will be. For me, I’m going to try the ‘glass half full’ concept.
Just because the pandemic is currently crippling our nation (and my mental health), does not mean it has crippled our ability to spread love and give thanks in a safe, socially distanced manner. If anything, COVID-19 has forced people to be more resilient, flexible and hopefully more conscious of the common good.
Y’all would think after 9+months of this pandemic, we would be pros at navigating this “new normal”. Think again. It’s all fun and games until you threaten any long-standing American tradition or holiday. #Merica.
We already have two American holidays under our belts (plus some honorable mention holidays such as: Spring Break/Memorial Day Weekend/Labor Day Weekend, etc.).
Considering the fact we were barely into our first mandated quarantine, we did a fair job navigating Easter; because what’s one holiday, right?! Then July 4th happened around the “reopening/not opening/pick a phase number/ just kidding/what the fack are we doing/pre-election” chaos. Lucky for us Fourth of July is celebrated mostly outside; which made COVID guidelines easier to follow since social distancing can be more effortlessly accommodated when you are outside.
So here we are at the end of fall, beginning of winter- the unofficially official start to the holidays: Days are shorter. It gets dark earlier. There is a brisk chill in the air, forcing us to spend more time inside. We are emotionally and mentally drained from the elections, new normals and other social injustices. Not to mention, COVID is STILL here and its the worst it has ever been; as hospitalization and death toll numbers soar to record highs. And, yet, still no vaccine.
Exhausted yet?! Me too! Now mix into that mental circus, the grim reality that the two biggest American holidays, which are heavily based on loved ones gathering TOGETHER are going to look incredibly different.
It can be a lot. It IS a lot. If there ever was a year people would enthusiastically welcome extended family gatherings as well as honoring family holiday traditions, it would be 2020. But we know that is not how 2020 rolls. She’s a beast. But as lonely as it feels, and cheesy as it sounds, truth is: we are ALL experiencing 2020 together, just in masks at a 6ft+ distance.
So I decided to accept these unfortunate/unfair/uncontrollable/just UGH realities (*insert an epic adult tantrum here) by channeling my anxious energy into making a conscious effort to have an optimistic mindset. Embracing this purposeful awareness and positive mindset, I feel, is bound to produce greater levels of gratitude and help me to gracefully survive this year.
Thanksgiving IS about being grateful and having thankful hearts, right?! Plain and simple. And yes, even during these unprecedented times.
One thing I am particularly grateful for during this pandemic is being forced to slow down in certain areas of life, which allows more time for me to use various creative outlets to maintain a healthy, optimistic mindset.
Therefore, I am sharing below some alternative ideas to the traditional Thanksgiving celebrations in order to help spread the 2020 holiday cheer in a creative, but COVID-safe manner.
- Decorate like you have never decorated before. I mean Clark Griswold meets Martha Stewart decorate. There is just something about wintery lights strung all around and fall decor that does something good for the soul. Let the holiday cheer ring loud and proud in your hood. I recently started adding heirlooms like Mackenzie Childs into my decor and love the unique eclectic vibe of their designs.
- Get creative with traditional holiday food staples. This is the perfect time to get weird. There are no excuses with the internet, not step outside your literal ‘comfort food’ zone. Have you seen Pinterest- mouth-watering holiday recipes for days. Plus Pinterest fails are hilarious! Win-win. Did I mention smaller gatherings means less food critics and unwelcome opinions?!
- Consider NOT cooking. Yup I said it. Less people to feed, less pressure to perform in the kitchen. Why not use this Thanksgiving to support local small restaurants with take-out/delivery options?! I am sure Uber or Lyft drivers would love the revenue as well. OR hire a private chef company like Nashville House Mom to create a safe unique holiday experience without the hassle of preparation or dishes.
- Create DIY table settings. Festive, trendy, social media-worthy table set-ups. Consider replacing your tablecloth with butcher paper and having everyone write what they are thankful for this year. Or have blank name cards so each person can design their own place setting. Go ahead and get competitive with household members or with friends via video chat platforms like Zoom.
- Host a neighborhood “drive-thru” potluck buffet. Create a sign-up sheet on a neighborhood forum with categories such as dessert, side dish, entree, etc and the number of “meals” they will need. Have people drop off their food item by a designated time and tell them a time to pick-up their dinners. Then create “to-go” Thanksgiving dinner packages and hand out.
- Take your Thanksgiving feast outdoors. Utilize that backyard as a way to get out of the house without really leaving. Try grilling side items or deep frying a turkey. Maybe serve dessert, coffee or a warm festive cocktail around a fire pit. This obviously depends on your location, type of weather and your commitment. Pumpkin marshmallow s’mores have me entertaining this idea!
- Start some NEW traditions. Maybe you have been wanting to incorporate a new tradition but didn’t want to rock the boat or put Great Aunt Karen in her grave. 2020 defines new normals; but creating a new tradition is one you have control over. Depending on where you live and what COVID guidelines are in place, volunteer as a family at a soup kitchen before enjoying your own Thanksgiving dinner. Start “Black Friday” shopping online with loved ones. Or make meals for all the essential workers that are the real heroes during this pandemic!
Bottom line. This is not the end of the world, although at times I have questioned it. Thanksgiving is NOT canceled. The Macy’s Day Parade is NOT canceled. They are just going to be new and different experiences this year. New can be scary. Different can be uncomfortable. Embrace them because gratitude is cultivated when we step out of our comfort zone into the scary, uncomfortable unknown.
Moral of the story- time to get comfy with the uncomfortable of new normals. Thus, I will be wearing my stretchy britches all damn day and I ain’t mad about it.
