Thanksgiving 2020 Hacks and Tips!
No doubt about it, this Thanksgiving will be like no other. But turkeys will still need to be carved and family discussions will still raise eyebrows. How to handle Thanksgiving in the time of coronavirus? We’ve got some hacks and helpful hints!
How to Gather
Thanksgiving is the holiday where families and friends come together, no matter where they are. Because of concerns about COVID-19, this year might look a little different, but people will still find a way to gather!
Some possible options for having a safe Thanksgiving this year might include outdoor gatherings or virtual dinners, according to Real Simple. Colorado’s weather has a good chance of being sunny and mild on Thanksgiving, so if you supplement that with some outdoor heaters, you can actually host Thanksgiving dinner on your patio!
If you are planning on celebrating outdoors in late November, be sure to have plenty of hot drinks and blankets on hand. You can keep food hot in crockpots—and set your grill on low to create a warm place to put aluminum pans of prepared food.
A Virtual Thanksgiving
If there’s no other way to spend time with family than online, we should be thankful we can be together online. Have everyone prepare a short list of what they are thankful for. Anyone in the family who is savvy with Zoom can create a graphic that displays everyone’s lists through a screen share.
Don’t forget to set a place at the table for the computer! For the most realistic feeling of all sitting together at the table, put your laptop facing out and enjoy video chatting with the family.
Whether you are online for the holiday or lucky enough to have nearby members of the family with you, make the table inviting. Country Living has some great ideas for crafty and inexpensive table settings that are full of natural beauty.
Of course, the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table is…the centerpiece! Pioneer Woman shares some beautiful floral arrangements that can inspire you to create one yourself.
How to Carve a Turkey and Start a Conversation
Wherever and however you are doing Thanksgiving, you will still need to carve the turkey! If you’ve never attempted this daunting task, The Kitchn has a tutorial for beginners. Some say using an electric knife makes all the difference, and New York Magazine gives their review on the best knife for the job.
Another difficult aspect of Thanksgiving dinner is keeping the conversation directed in a manner that will not start World War 3. Think about fun ways to incorporate these conversation starters into the event, like writing them on slips of paper and having everyone draw one and answer it!
For more directed conversation starters, Real Simple has broken them into categories: questions for kids to ask adults and vice versa. These will even work for a virtual Thanksgiving dinner!
After-Dinner Down Time
There’s no better way to end Thanksgiving Day than by watching a holiday-themed movie or show together. This works whether you are in person, outside, or having a virtual Thanksgiving celebration.
For outdoor parties, set up a video projector and enjoy an outdoor movie! For virtual celebrations, everyone can watch the same show or movie at the same time. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have a bunch of Thanksgiving-themed shows to enjoy. Or maybe let the older generation choose a classic movie. For family favorites, check out this list of the best Thanksgiving movies of all times!
Celebrate Thanksgiving in Crystal Valley!
No matter how you will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year, the master-planned community of Crystal Valley will be a great place to spend it! Visit the beautiful new homes from D.R. Horton, and Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, and Century Communities. Set in wide open natural surroundings with easy access to nearby amenities, there’s a floor plan to fit every home buyer — in ranch and two-story designs, priced from the $300s.
