A Festive Thanksgiving - Even While Apart

This year the holiday season is going to look a bit different for obvious reasons. It’s going to be hard for many to go from large family celebrations to more intimate ones or no celebration at all. I didn’t grow up with much family so Thanksgiving was more about having time off from work and school and spending a little extra time with my parents and maybe getting to see my grandparents for a day or two.

When I met my boyfriend, I started going to his family Thanksgivings, which were huge gatherings/family reunions. So I’ve seen both sides to Thanksgiving - the small, casual setting and the more traditional gatherings you see on TV.

Needless to say, Thanksgiving is going to look different this year, especially if you are used to seeing cousins and extended family that you might not see otherwise. While I do look forward to the party that my boyfriend’s parents throw, I’m happy to create a new tradition this year with just the two of us and spend some quiet time at home. If this is the first year of many away from family or you just want some fresh ideas, here are some ways you can still create a fun and relaxing holiday:

1.) Go Crazy with Holiday Décor

I started decorating for Halloween early this year because I honestly just needed a little joy in my day-to-day life. I wanted something fun I could come home to every night after work. If you celebrate the holidays and love decorating then I encourage you to spend the day decking out your place in glitter and cheer! I'm lucky enough to have the week of Thanksgiving off and the first thing I’m going to do is pull out all of my Christmas decorations and maybe buy a few more. It’s really just for me because I LOVE décor and getting creative!

2.) Virtual Thanksgiving

Just because you can’t physically be with everyone doesn’t mean you can’t still hang out! Why not get together virtually to chat or host a virtual game night with everyone! Jack in the Box games are a perfect option for that type of hangout or you could try some tabletop simulators. Even games like Fall Guys or Among Us are perfect for everyone to play online together!

3.) Snow Day (Even Without Snow)

Not in the mood for celebrating? Why not just treat Thanksgiving like the snow days you had when you were a kid? Even if it’s sunny with no sign of snow on the ground, just pretend and enjoy your day off! Put on your comfiest clothes, queue up some shows, and enjoy a day of relaxing and doing nothing. Sometimes we need a day of rest more than we think.

4.) Rent out a Cabin

While it’s difficult to travel right now, you could always see if there are any cabins to rent out nearby. Sometimes just going to a different place (even if you’re in the same state or city) can feel like a welcome getaway. My boyfriend and I like to do this now and again and while some are rather pricey to rent out, we normally just do so for a night and split the cost down the middle. Why not utilize your day off with a mini-vacation?

Even if you're spending the holiday solo, it might be good to get out of the house for just a day or two and be in a different environment. If you live in an area with good weather this time of year you could hike or do some camping!

Trust me, I know how hard it is to be away from your loved ones on the holidays especially if this is something you look forward to every year. The holidays were designed to bring people closer together so it feels odd to be apart. But I also know what those small gatherings look like - I even know what it’s like to spend a Thanksgiving by myself. In grad school I got snowed in at my studio apartment the day I was supposed to go home for the holidays. I ended up making some comfort food and binging Jessica Jones. Honestly, it was actually kind of nice, but only because I turned it into something fun.

Last year my boyfriend and I spent Christmas day with just the two of us and our pets and that was also better than I expected. We stayed in, watched holiday movies and baked cookies. Sometimes we need a reminder that the holidays don’t need to be this grand event. They can be intimate, peaceful, and sometimes just a day of rest.

However you spend your holidays this year, I hope that you stay safe and healthy. I hope that you find a moment to unwind and a moment to smile. If you have loved ones far away, I hope you get a chance to see them, even virtually!