How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020

Thanksgiving Eve is typically the busiest travel day of the year. This year, that’s unlikely to be the case. As COVID-19 infection rates have ramped up, the CDC has warned against holiday traveling in order to prevent more widespread infection. In order to keep our loved ones safe, many of us are heeding this advice. So how do we celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020 – a holiday that’s traditionally filled with family, friends, food and laughter?

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

1. Dine with friends and family virtually. Especially with those who live far away.
   
2. Plan some virtual games to play, such as Charades, Pictionary and Cards Against Humanity.
   
3. Weather permitting, bundle up and dine outdoors on your deck or around a fire pit. This is a good option for those who are inviting others outside of their household to dine with them. Currently, hosting gatherings outside is safer than hosting them inside.
   
4. Send loved ones that you won’t be seeing this year a Thanksgiving care package.
   
5. Watch football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. During a time of so much abnormality, a little bit of normalcy is key to comfort.
   
6. Mix a fall cocktail.
   
7. Watch a fall movie. You’ve all heard of Christmas movies before, but did you know fall movies are a thing? Yeah, me neither!
   
8. While you may need to make less food, don’t skimp on the cooking! (See some mouth-watering recipe suggestions below). Like I said, normalcy is key.
   
9. Don’t feel like cooking this year? Here are some Seattle area restaurants offering Thanksgiving takeout. If you’re on the Eastside, here are Bellevue restaurants that will offering Thanksgiving takeout as well.

RECIPES TO TRY

• Butter Roasted Turkey Breast

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes

• Savory Baked Apples with Sausage Stuffing

• Deep Fried Siracha Turkey (Wait, what?)

• Fried Mash Potato Balls

• Umami Gravy

• Cheesy Sausage & Sage Stuffing

• Composed Waldorf Salad

• Parker House Rolls

• Cast Iron Hasselback Potatoes

• Spiced Cranberry Sauce

• Ginger Pumpkin Pie (Can you say, ginger snap crust?)

• Butterscotch Pie with Curry Crust

SAFETY TIPS

1. If you can, celebrate only with those who live in your household and connect and/or dine with other family and friends virtually.
   
2. If you do host others inside of your home, keep it to a minimum of 3 households (including your own) and avoid dining family style. Instead, serve guests yourself and use disposable plates and silverware.
   
3. Keep gatherings short (2-3 hours). The less potential exposure to the virus, the better.
   
4. Wear a mask whenever possible. Although Dr. Fauci warns that this by itself may not be enough to protect you from the virus if you’re attending a large gathering.

*Safety tips are courtesy of the CDC.

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If you haven’t already, check out 10 Fun Fall Activities on Seattle’s Eastside.