Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu. The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate just with people in your household. If you plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside your household, take steps to make your celebration safer by wearing a mask that has two or more layers, staying at least 6 feet apart from those who do not live with you, and wash your hands frequently.
Attending or Hosting a Thanksgiving Gathering
Make your Thanksgiving gatherings safer by encouraging everyone to bring their own food, avoid going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared, use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packages, plates, utensils, and food containers. You might consider an outdoor meal, limit the number of people gathering, instead of everyone serving themselves have one person serving the food buffet style, and if indoors open windows.
Consider Other Activities
Think about hosting a virtual Thanksgiving meal with family and friends who don’t live with you. Eating together can make us feel closer to family. Share recipes and showcase the dishes you have prepared. Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, football games, or movies together. Beat the rush and do some online shopping together … the sales have already started.
You might want to participate in a gratitude activity, like writing down things you are grateful for and sharing with your friends and family. Another option might be to prepare a traditional dish and deliver it to a family in your community that does not involve contact with others.