Thanksgiving 2020 is going to look a little different for most of us and COVID restrictions vary depending on where you live.

Here at Huddle, we have been thinking about what is important to us about Thanksgiving and brainstorming some creative ways to make those things happen virtually. Here are our top 13 tips to make a virtual Thanksgiving celebration feel festive.

Before you celebrate

If you are unable to physically be with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, why not send them something instead? Perhaps an invitation to your virtual Thanksgiving, a card, a special gift, or a tasty Thanksgiving treat. You could even make dishes to share with family and friends then drop them off at their doorstep.

Have a festive dress code

Let’s be honest. You’ve been wearing the same pair of sweats since March. Why not use the upcoming holidays as an excuse to have some fun with your clothes again? Whether your family chooses an ugly holiday sweater theme or uses the day as an excuse to break out your favorite formal attire, getting dressed up is sure to make you feel more festive.

Go big with the screen

One way to enhance your experience and make if feel like you’re really together is to use the largest screen you have.  Broadcasting your computer display on your TV can make your far-away family feel a little more life-size.

Cooking Together

You may not be able to gather around the oven baking pies and jiggling turkey legs, but you can still share the joy of cooking virtually. Set up a virtual cooking class where your family’s best cook instructs everyone on the mysteries of their delicious pumpkin pie or turkey stuffing over Zoom. You could event send around an ingredients list ahead of time, so that everyone can follow along in their own kitchen. This is a great way to create fun interactions while also keeping your Thanksgiving traditions alive by enjoying those family recipes.

The Meal

Let’s eat together but use technology to enjoy great conversation and enjoy good food! Set up your laptop at the dinner table and share a meal together!

Make an Autumnal Beverage

Whether you decide on a signature cocktail, a pumpkin brew, a spiced latte, or simply some apple cider – have some fun with sharing festive beverages. You could even make a contest out of who can make the most extravagant looking autumnal drink. Think fall colors, whipped cream, cloves, and cinnamon!

Take a family photo

Will your 2020 photo look anything like other years’? No, but a shot of everyone lined up like the Brady Bunch in a bunch of Zoom windows could be a great souvenir of 2020!

Watch the parade

If your usual family gathering centers around watching the big game or the annual Thanksgiving Day parade, there’s no reason to give up the tradition this year.  New York’s iconic Thanksgiving Parade is going virtual this year, so you can cozy up with your family and friends virtually to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade from home this year. The Huddle virtual event tech team suggests using Airtime on The Cut is a great way to make that happen.

Have a watch party

If enjoying a moving together on Thanksgiving is your thing, there are “Watch Parties” on a variety of platforms that allow you to enjoy your favorite movies and feel like you are spending quality time together.

Plan a socially distanced Turkey Trot

Perhaps you are one of the many families who usually enjoy a bracing Turkey Day 5k? Don’t panic! There’s no need to give up your tradition this year. We suggest organizing each family member to run locally, using an app like Strave to track their efforts. Later, you can crown a winner over Zoom. 

Give yourself permission to skip the turkey

Let’s be frank–the best thing about roasting a turkey is you can feed a boatload of people with one dish. It just may not make sense to cook a turkey just because of tradition. Perhaps get a smaller Turkey roll or skip the turkey altogether and just make your favorite dish or treat yourself to your favorite take-out.  

Make a Family Slideshow

Put together a slideshow of family photos to feel closer while celebrating virtually. Ask each family member to provide a handful of favorite photos to be sure everyone is included. And remember to take some screen shots of your celebration so that those pictures can be included in the future when you are looking back at this crazy time.

Say thanks

What is Thanksgiving without going around the virtual table to say one thing you’re thankful for? Science tells us that counting our blessings won’t just make us happier, it’ll also make us more resilient. And we could all use a little more resilience right now. So, find a way to work a little gratitude into your virtual Thanksgiving event.

From our virtual table to yours. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Let’s chat about your upcoming virtual events and how we can make them feel special. Contact us here…