Let’s face it: this Thanksgiving and general holiday season is going to look very different for most of us. Groups will certainly be smaller; travel will be kept to a minimum and some of our most beloved older family members will not be able to join us. But there are some safe and fun ways of celebrating Thanksgiving that can still be inclusive (as inclusive as you want to be) and exciting!
1) If you do plan on traveling to local family’s homes for the holiday, do your research first. Are they in a safe town with a small population? If yes, then it may be safe to head to Aunt Sandy’s. But if you aren’t so sure, using an online tool like Covid Act Now to evaluate your destination may be your best bet. This tool takes a comprehensive look at the risk level in different states by weighing factors like daily new cases, infection rate, and hospital capacity. You can also zoom in on the county level to check out the infection spread in a certain area. The more research you do, the more likely you are to be healthy, happy and safe this holiday season.
2) Make a plan with the attendees of your festivities to be as safe as possible 2 weeks before hand, and get tested 3 days before arrival. If you’re negative, you’re safe to attend! However, continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask whenever you aren’t eating or taking a drink.
3) If you decide to move forward with an in-person Thanksgiving, be mindful of how many guests will be present. This isn’t the year to host an extended family reunion or invite 20 of your closest friends with plus-ones. Keeping your gathering small [under 10 people] and maintaining physical distance from each other is important. Also, consider throwing a Thanksgiving picnic or outdoor buffet. This lessens the chance of getting the virus even more!
4) If all of the above sounds like a lot of work, you’re right—it takes a ton of effort, and following all these tips won’t completely eliminate your chances of getting or spreading the virus. Even with these precautions, there will still be risks. Based on what we’ve seen from summer holiday gatherings, we’re sadly expecting to see an increase in cases over the winter holidays.
Stay flexible as you plan for Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, and keep an eye on those local statistics. The safest option is still going to be avoiding in-person gatherings outside of your immediate family, Virtual holiday parties and events are by far the safest approach—and the best approach if you’re high-risk. Plus, you’ll still be able to see almost everyone that you normally would, and your family can have some sort of normalcy this way.
