2020 has been a year full of surprises and obstacles to overcome. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many people are struggling with the fact that they may have to forego their traditional holiday plans in an effort to keep their friends and family safe – all while they are still trying to adapt to the many surprises that this year has brought us. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to sit back, spend quality time with loved ones, and reflect on the many blessings that we’ve received throughout the year. This year, people are looking for ways that they can use this time to its fullest potential, express gratitude, and send love to those who they may not be able to spend the holiday with. Here are a couple of ways that we can come together this Thanksgiving.

Express Gratitude

Due to CDC guidelines, in addition to extra precautions you may be taking for high-risk family members, you may not be able to spend this year’s Thanksgiving dinner with everyone you would like. However, if 2020 knows anything – it knows that we have been able to adapt and overcome struggles in some very creative ways. Send your friends and family some love through the mail – then, call them on Zoom and have a virtual Thanksgiving dinner with them. A common trend we are seeing this year is family members placing delivery orders and surprising their loved ones with a special treat. Whether it’s a full Thanksgiving meal, or a beautiful charcuterie board that they’ll love – any way you can show them that you’re still thinking of them will help everyone get back to the Thanksgiving spirit.

Take time to reflect

The CDC is recommending gatherings of less than 10 people – for most this is a much smaller gathering than usual and their traditional menu items will need to be adjusted. Many families are gearing away from their traditional Thanksgiving menu. Maybe this means that you don’t need to spend so much time prepping your standard turkey dinner with 10 different sides to satisfy each guest. Take advantage of this opportunity to throw away the traditions that aren’t serving you and create a dinner that you love. Whether you go for an entirely different theme, or just minimize your menu in general — allow yourself to indulge in whatever it is that you feel like. Always dreamed of an Italian-themed thanksgiving dinner? Go for it! 

Embrace the moment

It seems that 2020 has been moving slower than ever and has put everything at a standstill – in reality, most people are moving faster than ever trying to keep up with all of the changes it has brought us. Take a moment to truly slow things down and create moments with your family. Rather than spending all day preparing dinner only to be gone within the hour, order foods that will extend your family’s time gathered around the table.

You can increase quality time with those you love, while supporting local businesses that have been drastically impacted this year. Once you have picked up the food, poured a glass of wine and sat down, be sure to focus on where you are and who you are with. We all deserve time to rest and feel grateful for what is right in front of us. Ditch the cellphones, TVs, video games, etc. for just a few hours and allow yourself to slow down, reflect on the year, and take time to be grateful for the family and friends that are surrounding you.