How to Celebrate Thanksgiving During COVID-19

Going Virtual

With the cold autumn winds blowing in a new insurgence of COVID-19 cases, staying healthy this Thanksgiving is a priority. The best way to celebrate this year is by going virtual! 

Here’s how to keep the holiday festive with a virtual celebration:

• Plan a shared dinner experience in advance. This can include a shared menu and lighting the same scented candles.
• Prep your dinners together on a video chat.
• Drop off a basket of Thanksgiving treats at each of your virtual guests’ doorsteps.
• Video chat your “shared” Thanksgiving dinners.

Planning a Thanksgiving Dinner 

If going virtual isn't an option in your home, make sure to take steps to ensure your in-person Thanksgiving dinner is as safe as possible:

First, consider hosting it outside. Moving Thanksgiving dinner outdoors greatly reduces spreading coronavirus, according to the CDC. If that’s not possible, keep your home well-ventilated during Thanksgiving dinner by opening some windows and doors.

Second, limit the number of attendees. Instead of throwing a big Thanksgiving dinner, opt for a small gathering of just those in your immediate quarantine-bubble. This will keep everyone safe and allow you the peace of mind that those around you have been quarantining as well. 

Finally, the CDC warns that longer gatherings pose a greater risk than shorter dinners. You can cut down on the hours your guests linger around the table by adding a finish time to your invitations.

Keep Healthy!

Whether attending a Thanksgiving dinner or welcoming dinner guests into your own home, follow the CDC’s general guidelines for reducing the risk of contagion. Set up a sanitizing station for guests to use upon arrival or offer to bring one to your host’s home. If possible, space the seating so there are several feet between each chair. Also, follow basic hygiene practices at Thanksgiving dinner, such as coughing and sneezing into the bend of your elbow.

According to the CDC, anyone who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not met the criteria for when it is safe to be near others, currently has symptoms of COVID-19, is waiting for COVID-19 test results, may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days or is considered high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should not attend any in-person holiday celebrations.

Your Turn: How will you be celebrating Thanksgiving this year? Tell us about it in the comments.