The end of the year calls for a pack-filled holiday season with gatherings surrounded by family and friends, however, this ongoing pandemic calls for different plans this year.
Thanksgiving is a time when many families and friends travel long distances to gather together. According to the CDC, “travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
With many families not wanting to travel, anyone except immediate family in their homes would be the only ones safe to join. In essence, Thanksgiving is even more of a puzzle than usual this year.
Following the weekend of Halloween, many found makeshift ways to spend the holiday without trick-or-treating. Being that this pandemic is still a current issue, this means that Thanksgiving would have to be limited to families living in the same house, staying away from large gatherings, and refraining from participating in Friendsgiving.
Thankfully, when it comes to celebrating with close friends on this holiday, Friendsgiving shouldn’t be canceled just yet.
Friendsgiving is a potluck-style annual gathering with friends on or near Thanksgiving Day that has become many’s most sacred fall tradition. Instead of completely eliminating the tradition, there are some alternative ways to celebrate with friends virtually.
A great alternative to Friendsgiving is to host one on a virtual platform like FaceTime or Zoom—sharing the same experience with one’s closest friends in the safest way possible.
Prior to the gathering, everyone could come up with a list of three grateful things to share with each other to share the heartfelt moment that would’ve been shared in person.
In addition, if they prepared a special dish they could share how it looks with their friends and share the recipes. Afterward, one could play games like Among Us on the call and continue the night of fun while making up for the board games or video games that would’ve been played after dining.
Another way to celebrate is to share recipes with each other to make on the designated night the group decides to hang out. In doing so, they’re able to create new dishes, taste them, and bond over them depending on how they came out—simulating a twist to a traditional potluck type of activity.
Even though COVID-19 has put a stop to many traditional holidays, it doesn’t mean that alternate versions won’t be just as fun, possibly encouraging others to participate and do the same.
