The One Where We Celebrate Friendsgiving
As many of you could probably agree, 2020 is really throwing us for a loop. Just like summer vacation plans and Halloween celebrations, Thanksgiving is going to look a whole lot different this year. If everyone were to travel between large gatherings and multiple groups of people, COVID-19 could spread easily. We want to encourage safe ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving during a pandemic. Have you ever heard of “Friendsgiving”? Well, few things beat sitting at a table full of delicious food surrounded by your closest friends. Friendsgiving is an opportunity to enjoy the best parts of Thanksgiving with your chosen family, like your roommates.
Organizing a Safe In-person Friendsgiving
The risk of COVID-19 infection is still very real — which should be weighed carefully before you make your plans for a Friendsgiving meal. The best thing to do is to keep things small and celebrate with people who are in your “bubble.” Scale things back and get creative!
- Stick to a Friendsgiving with just your roommates instead of inviting a bunch of your friends.
- Consider planning to get dressed up for the occasion and make it special.
- Each person could try cooking something — college is a great time to try cooking a turkey for the first time. If possible, try single servings. Many Thanksgiving meals revolve around buffet-style food that everyone digs into, but more hands-on serving means more germs (remember to wash your hands frequently). Instead, have a designated person slice up servings onto individual plates.
But, what should I cook?
Making all the food might seem intimidating to someone who is inexperienced in the kitchen, but it’s a great year to give it a try! What’s nice is that you can make as much or as little as you want. Here are some great options:
- Mashed potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Stuffing
- Pumpkin Pie
- Sweet potato casserole
- Turkey
- Ham
- Macaroni and cheese
- Sparkling apple cider
Here’s a great resource (recipes from the Food Network!):
Don’t forget that you can always pick up some food to go, as well!
After Dinner
You’re feeling pretty full, and don’t think you have any room for another slice of pie. What now? First, pull out some classic Thanksgiving episodes! Here is a list of great choices:
- Friends Season 5, Episode 8: “The One with All the Thanksgivings”
- New Girl Season 1, Episode 6: “Thanksgiving”
- Parks and Recreation Season 3, Episode 7: “Harvest Festival”
- That 70’s Show Season 1, Episode 9: “Thanksgiving”
- Bob’s Burgers Season 3, Episode 5: “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal”
- Glee Season 4, Episode 8: “Thanksgiving”
- How I Met Your Mother Season 3, Episode 9: “Slapsgiving”
(PSA: Don’t forget about A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving)
Then, another fun idea would be to pull out some games! Maybe you have Wii or some board games — turn it into a friendly competition. See who is best at Monopoly or Mario Kart.
Don’t Miss the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
If you’ve decided not to travel home for Thanksgiving and plan to spend it with your roommates on the actual holiday, you can get up early and watch the parade. That’s right, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is still on for this year. The parade will be a television-only presentation without the crowds or traditional parade route. So make some coffee or hot chocolate for your roommates and yourself, and don’t miss the parade at 8:00 a.m.
For the Football Fans
The Packers and The Vikings may not be playing on Thanksgiving, but a few other teams are. Also, those two iconic teams are playing on the Sunday after (11/29). Chill out with your roommates or closest friends and watch a game, and maybe if Thanksgiving food isn’t for you, you could set out some snacks and appetizers. This would be especially fun if you partake in Fantasy Football.
The Virtual Option: Have a Virtual Dinner with Family and Friends
If you really wanted to go home, but just can’t travel this year, make sure to connect with loved ones virtually. Host a virtual dinner over Zoom or your video conferencing platform of choice. That way you can still spend time with the people you care about most. Try making a toast, playing a virtual game, or having everyone go around and say what they’re thankful for.
Here’s to a Great Thanksgiving and/or Friendsgiving
There are so many ways to celebrate safely this year. By choosing one of these activities, you are actively making a difference by minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Consider choosing to keep yourself and the people around you as safe and healthy as possible. Remember: Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving is a time to count your blessings, not your carbs.
