It’s time for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner Tips COVID edition.
Holiday
Traditionally, we post dinner tips regarding the preparation of the meal. However, this year and in light of the novel coronavirus, we will be discussing the execution of the meal. So, enjoy our Top 5 Thanksgiving Dinner Tips COVID Edition.
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RESCHEDULE THANKSGIVING
In reality, Thanksgiving is a man-made holiday. No rule exists that says this holiday MUST be celebrated the last week of November. We can be thankful over a meal anytime. With that said, the CDC, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and other medical and scientific experts have recommended that we postpone Thanksgiving until COVID-19 is behind us. Gathering multiple households from all across the country into one small space just for a meal is not worth the health risks — particularly since we have the option to simply reschedule the holiday for some date in the future when we can all gather together and be thankful SAFELY!
So, skip the big meal this year. Enjoy something special for the immediate members of your household only. Save your health and the health of others.
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SMALLER GUESTLIST & MENU
If you’re following CDC recommended guidelines, you won’t be hosting a gathering of 25+ people. Instead, the meal this year will be for the members of your same household or your personal “bubble.” However, that doesn’t mean you need to skimp on making it special.
Plan a much smaller meal to match the smaller number of guests you’ll be hosting. Consider a much smaller turkey, or possibly roasting a chicken in place of the huge bird. Pull back on the number of side dishes, since you probably won’t want/need a ton of leftovers or take-home plates. Use the fine china, the cloth napkins, or perhaps some candles and table decorations to make it a festive occasion. Keep it safe and simple while making it special.
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SOCIAL DISTANCE
Don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because you’re around family you’re immune to COVID. Yes, we love our families but they still could infect us, or we might infect them. So, don’t relax safety precautions simply because you’re amongst family.
Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, and socially distance. No hugs. No handshakes. Do a fist or wrist bump and keep it moving. Or, do as the Japanese and bow in acknowledgment. Once you sit, continue to maintain a distance of 6 feet or more from everyone. If you truly love your family, love them enough to keep them (and yourself) safe for the remainder of this pandemic.
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WINDOWS UP
If you live in a warmer climate, consider hosting your Thanksgiving meal outdoors. If you have a screened-in porch, that would be ideal too. However, if this is not possible, try to serve your meal in a room where there are plenty of windows that open. Keep the windows OPEN and allow the air to circulate out instead of just among the dinner guests within an enclosed environment.
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MULTIPLE TABLES
Who says everyone has to gather and sit around one great big giant dinner table while elbow to elbow? With the continuing threat of COVID, this is an extreme NO-NO this year!
Set up multiple tables suitable for 3-4 family members that are spread at least 6 feet from other tables. Or, give everyone a TV tray to set up individually around the house. Or, better still, host a virtual dinner party on ZOOM with your family all safely set up in multiple locations across the country.
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If you must host a dinner event, make sure you do it in a way that is safe for yourself and for all members of your family. Again, our recommendation is to postpone Thanksgiving for a future date and time when we can enjoy the day when it’s safe to do so without precautions. However, you can still have a great holiday simply by following our Thanksgiving Dinner Tips COVID edition in a way that maintains health and saves lives.
