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Five Things to Do on Thanksgiving Besides Eating Turkey

13:00 November 26, 2020
By: Melanie Hucklebridge

With such strict precautions in place, the holidays aren't going to be the same this year, but that doesn't mean that you can't have fun with what family you do have around you. Even though you might not be able to have your full family gathering or usual Thanksgiving Day festivities, there are still plenty of fun things to do without being around big crowds and risking your own health. What would be the fun of the holidays if you end up too sick to enjoy them?

Host a Virtual Party

Over the past several months, you're sure to have brushed up on your virtual partying skills, and now, it is time to put them all to the test. Even though you can't have the whole family in the same room right now, there's no reason that you can't all be on the same Zoom call. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to catch up with your friends and family and even share some special moments together during a really hard time.

Tailgate in the Backyard

If you are fortunate enough to have a backyard in the Big Easy, setting up a backyard tailgate to watch the football game might be a great way to get all your sporty needs from the comfort of your own home. Complete the affair with paraphernalia supporting your favorite team, good chili, and even some buffalo dip, and you'll wonder why you've never thought of doing this before!

[Jakob Owens/Unsplash]

Ugly Sweater Contest, the Prequel

Ugly sweater contests are now not just for Christmas, but for Thanksgiving as well! Consider picking out fun Thanksgiving-themed sweaters and modeling them on your family Zoom call to have a contest from your own home. If you don't have one premade or bought before the day of Thanksgiving, consider getting the supplies to customize your own while you aren't busy cooking.

Make Your Own Family Heirloom

Staying at home has brought out the creative side in a lot of people, so creating something that your family will get to enjoy for generations to come might be just the go-to holiday activity. If sewing is your thing, having your family write their names along a table runner and stitch their names on later is a great keepsake, or collective paintings are always a fun albeit messier option. Ornaments and even decorated plates are another great way to get creative outside of the kitchen.

Make a New Tradition

In these unprecedented times, there is nothing more comforting than the prospect of something comfortable, but that doesn't mean that you should always stick to the usual. If it's your first time celebrating by yourself or even with a smaller crowd than you're used to, be sure to branch out and figure out what you really want to do. If you want to bake fancy desserts, watch a specific TV show, or just take a self-care day, then do it! Create your own day and do what you want to do, guilt-free.



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