How to have a safe Thanksgiving during COVID

Like many of you, I am missing my family tremendously this year. I want nothing more than to get together with them, but many of my relatives are immunocompromised. Gathering in person would put them at risk. This year, it’s necessary to rethink our holidays so we can still enjoy each others’ company in safer ways. Remember, it’s perfectly okay to set your own boundaries and stick to them.

If you’re not having a Thanksgiving gathering

If you’re opting out of a big family gathering this year, there are still things you can do to enjoy your loved ones’ company and dine together. Try these tips:

Break out of food fatigue. With restaurants closed in many areas during the pandemic, you may feel bored cooking the same meals at home every week. November is a good time to break out of that fatigue and try new recipes.

Try coming up with one creative meal per week, starting from the first week of November. If you enjoy it, continue right on through till January. Challenging yourself to make and try new dishes can help get you inspired again.

Buddy up with a friend. Not having a big family gathering doesn’t mean you have to feel lonely. Try asking a friend or relative to join you for a weekly meal that you cook together either in person or on a video call.

Cook a little extra. It’s nice to feel taken care of, especially if holidays tend to be a stressful time for you. Be extra kind to yourself by cooking a bit extra at your meals so you have nutritious leftovers throughout the week. Try working with a nutritionist to do some meal planning, or simply try doubling your recipe to make four servings instead of two.

If you are having a Thanksgiving gathering

If you do plan on celebrating in-person this year, a few extra precautions can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

If it’s not too cold where you live, consider making your holiday meal an outdoor barbecue instead of a traditional indoor gathering. This will make social distancing easier since you won’t be in an enclosed space for several hours. You can wear masks during the food prep, and use multiple tables so people can spread out while they eat.

You can also get creative with your menu if you’re grilling. This time of year there are lots of nice fall vegetables available, and those grill with a little bit of olive oil and seasoning so wonderfully. If you want to branch out from turkey, you can even make a roast on the grill.

Need to keep it indoors?

In that case, make sure you have good airflow in your home, and try to keep up your social distancing, mask-wearing, and proper handwashing. Study the official COVID recommendations in your area and follow them carefully.

This year, the top priority is to keep your loved ones safe and healthy, so it’s okay to focus more on that than the perfect menu. Enjoy your time together, even if you're just having a lovely dish of sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.

If you need help with your meal planning this month, contact me so we can chat. I’d love to help you.