Shiplap and Shells

Home and Garden in the PNW

  • My Blog
    • Home Decor
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
        • Winter Holiday & Christmas Inspiration
      • Our 100-Year-Old Beach House
      • Entertaining
    • Garden
      • Growing a Cut Flower Garden Series
      • Tips and Tutorials
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Saltwater Sounds Wrap-Up
    • All Things Vintage
    • Projects
    • The Pacific Northwest – PNW
      • Boating
    • Stories
      • Travel
  • Shop My Favorites
    • Home Décor & Kitchen Shopping Favorites
    • Shop for Your Garden
    • Shop My Amazon Store
    • Shop My Home
  • Meet Kim
  • Tour My Home
  • Contact Me

in Entertaining

How to Make the Best of Your 2020 Thanksgiving

  • Facebook
  • Email

There are so many emotions regarding life as we know it this year, especially during this holiday season. Compared to past years, the holidays are most likely going to look very different for many of us, due to COVID -19 related safety concerns. Here are some of the ways you can make the best of your 2020 Thanksgiving.

HOW LIFE IS DIFFERENT FOR ME THIS THANKSGIVING

I have hosted both family and friends at my home on Thanksgiving for many, many years. And for the last two years, I have had such a great time spending Friendsgiving with the many friends I have in our community. I always look forward to the amazing food, the music, the conversation and of course, sharing what we are most grateful for with one another.

It will just be me, my husband and of course our pups Jax and Lucy for Thanksgiving this year. Washington State’s new restrictions prohibit indoor gatherings that are outside one’s household.

While our holiday traditions are put on hold for now, we remain grateful for one another, and will try some new recipes, and look forward to the BEST THANKSGIVING celebration in 2021!!!

IDEAS FOR CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR

Here are some ideas that you can incorporate into your Thanksgiving this year.

1. An Opportunity to Think Outside the Box

Have you been wanting to try a new recipe, or have a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal? This is a great opportunity to throw away everything you know about a traditional turkey dinner, and try something different. Even though it’s less than a week away until Thanksgiving, I am still trying to make up my mind about what new recipe I might try.

By not having a huge guest list, you are given the freedom to try something different, without the stress of a bunch of people ready to taste test and critique everything you’ve made!

2. Dine Together Virtually

A lot of families and friends have already been spending time virtually. I’ve been invited to several virtual cocktail parties, and even a wreath making event. And guess what! It’s all been so much fun.

And you can even go a step further. If you can’t be in the kitchen together this year, you can try to re-create that feeling by virtually preparing the same meal together. And then when the meal is ready, you can all experience it over a video chat.

3. Goodie Baskets to Your Loved Ones

Show of hands…who has been stress baking lately? Give up some of those calories and surprise your family and friends with a goodie basket with some of your best baked goods and treats.

4. Scale Back the Menu

You don’t have to give up the thought of a traditional Thanksgiving meal if you don’t want to. Just scale it down if you are having a smaller gathering around the table this year. You may want to think about cornish game hens instead of a big turkey. Make fewer side dishes by skipping the mashed potatoes or the stuffing. You can also cut the recipes you’re making in half.

I’m planning on making a pumpkin pie, but have decided to make the sacrifice to eat more leftovers, starting with “pie for breakfast” the next morning.

5. Donate to Those in Need

Many people are experiencing financial hardships or have lost loved ones because of COVID-19. This year would be a great time to volunteer your time and/or money.

6. Remember to be Thankful

Here are just a few things that I am grateful for. As tough as things are currently, they are still not as bad as they could be.

1 – Good health: Health is something that is on most of our minds these days. I am so thankful to be able to get up every morning and live my life to the fullest.

2 – Learn from my mistakes: I can’t even imagine where I would be without making mistakes throughout my life. And some of them were doozies! I am so grateful for those mistakes. Ok, MOST of those mistakes, not all of them.

3 – Having a home where I can escape: Especially now, when we seem to be at home a lot these days, I am so blessed to have a sanctuary where I can get away from it all. My house and garden provide the security and peace that I need in order to keep it together ( on most days).

4 – Laughter: I can’t think of a better way to make things more bearable than to find something to laugh at. My husband makes me laugh all the time, and it really does make me feel better .

5 – Music: I don’t know about you, but music takes me away from the rest of the world when I need it most. I have always been able to hear a song, and automatically remember where I was and what I was doing while this song was playing during a time that was significant in my life.

Now, of course there are so many other things to be grateful for, I can’t list them all. But you get the idea.

Gratitude Journal

Do you have a gratitude journal? I have one next to my bed and write in it most morning when I wake up. It sets me up to succeed for the day. The glass tends to be a lot more “full” when I am mindful of all the blessings I have been given.

I would love to hear how you are going to be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, and what you are grateful for in your life. I am wishing you the very best that this season has to offer, and with a little bit of creativity, I’m sure you will come up with ideas on how to make the best of your 2020 Thanksgiving.

  • Facebook
  • Email

Filed Under: Entertaining

Stay Connected and Get all the Latest

Previous Post: « The Gift Guide for the Gardener
Next Post: Shiplap and Shells – Weekly Wrap Up »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather says

    11/22/2020 at 11:38 am

    Great tips. The decision we made not to gather with our family this year was tough, but when you consider the alternative and the potential consequences, the decision is a no-brainer. Happy Thanksgiving and celebrate the little things!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      11/22/2020 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you Heather. I am just hoping next Thanksgiving will be AMAZING!!!!

      Reply
  2. Carol Karl says

    11/22/2020 at 9:44 am

    These are all great suggestions. I think that thanksgiving will be different for a lot of people this year, and Christmas too. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Kim says

      11/22/2020 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you Carol. I agree. And it has taken some real effort to think of ways to make this holiday special, but I think we all can do it, and look forward to next year, which will be a sort of family reunion as well. Take care my friend.

      Reply
  3. Jim Libenow says

    11/21/2020 at 9:30 pm

    Thank you for including me in your blog. I like the pictures and stories. I should start a gratitude journal and make the first entry and expression of gratitude for Shiplap and Shells. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kim says

      11/22/2020 at 12:20 pm

      Awww shucks Jim, I’m blushing. Always grateful for my dear old friend.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet Kim

Hi! I'm Kim. Welcome to my home & garden blog, Shiplap and Shells. We live in a small 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest and have spent the last 10 years renovating, reinventing, and adding character to our forever home. Read More…

Up to 30% off candles

Find what you’re looking for

Let's Connect

Stay up to Date

shop my home

  • My Blog
  • Shop My Favorites
  • Tour My Home
  • Meet Kim
  • Contact Me

Footer

Find What You’re Looking For

Follow Along

Disclaimer and Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Market Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress ·