Thanksgiving is upon us and we are all preparing to celebrate a little differently this year. Even though this has been a year like no other, there are still plenty of things to be grateful for, as well as ways to make the day special, even if we can’t all be together as we normally would be. My advice is, don’t skimp on the day. Every day is an opportunity to create a memory. Our gatherings may be small, but it is still important to set a pretty table, enjoy a delicious meal and be thankful for the little things we often take for granted. This year’s Thanksgiving is making me think of the Bridal tradition of, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue.”
Here are some things you can do to make the day special:
Take the opportunity to use your China and family heirlooms. Maybe your other Holiday Celebrations were too large or chaotic, or you did not want to be bothered hand washing all the plates and delicate glasses. But with fewer guests, it is a good chance to appreciate these items and maybe sip the wine a little longer or savor the food a little more while remembering celebrations past. Feel free to make it eclectic by just using a few choice favorite pieces. By mixing in the heirlooms with your contemporary pieces, it resonates with the bridal saying. It is a way of having friends and family with you in spirit when we can’t all be together in the present.
With regards to something new, there are plenty of options. Have you heard of a new bakery in Stamford called, “Nothing Bundt Cakes”? If you are not familiar with them, they are worth checking out as their cakes are delicious, whimsical and fun! They have cakes, bundtlettes, and bundtini’s which make excellent hostess gifts, party favors or just fun desserts. The flavors are great, but it is the unique way they are decorated that really steals the cake! And it is a good alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pies. But if you must, they do have Pumpkin Spice! They have a fun Turkey Topper as well as little pilgrim hats. If your table is too crowded, don’t forget you can gain space by bringing out Grandma’s cake stand to display your treats. It adds height and interest to your table. Enjoy!
It is not quite borrowing, but how about ordering your meal from your favorite caterer or local restaurant? It is not easy to cook a Thanksgiving meal for just two! If you are celebrating alone, why not order out and just make a few of your favorite dishes to complement the meal? There are many ways to enhance the day and make it special. Remember, good things come in small packages! Be open to finding the joy. If you need a recommendation or assistance in coordinating, I am always happy to help.
No reason to be blue that you can’t be together with Uncle Lou, there are other games you can play and you don’t need a helmet! Thanksgiving does not have to be all about Football! I just tried Kahoots! A virtual trivia game. I actually won a round or two, the Food and Travel rounds of course! The game makes a great activity for after dinner when you need to pause after all that turkey, sides and tryptophan, before dessert. Schedule a Zoom call with your family and friends that you would normally see on Thanksgiving, and play a game of Trivia. It might take a little setting up and organizing in advance, but once you get started, it is fun and can get competitive! Here is an article on how to do it. If you are interested, there are vendors that can provide and manage this virtual entertainment platform for your virtual meetings or gatherings. It can add an extra level of fun and participation to the game.