USA TODAY. We have lots of recommendations for outdoor gatherings in our guide to great gear for picnics and grilling and our list of backyard party essentials. And if you do have folks over, keep the gathering small. Write a letter (or maybe a poem!) Let your smile serve as your hug. When it comes to cookies, it’s best to send bar or drop varieties that aren’t too delicate—other kinds will arrive in a pile of crumbs. The New York Times’s Neediest Cases Fund, which has raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations since it began in 1912, is one great option—this year’s campaign includes several organizations devoted to fighting hunger. Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together, but travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. That way you can experience the same meal over a long-distance video chat. Consider volunteering your time or … Many people are used to visiting others outside their households during this time of year. If you live close to family or friends, a fun way to piece together your Thanksgiving dinner is by organizing a meal exchange among a few households. If you’re looking to cut yourself some slack, ordering side dishes is far less stressful than preparing an entire Thanksgiving feast yourself. You can also create columns in the spreadsheet for each household to write comments—whether they’re helpful tips, suggested ingredient variations, or cooking woes. Alternatively, you can portion the food in advance in separate containers and distribute it at the gathering. The Thanksgiving COVID surge is here: Experts warn this is just the beginning as another 2,534 Americans die, hospitalizations hit a record 104,600 patients and infections rise in 36 states Let’s  remember that these numbers are lives. Smart display devices, such as the Amazon Echo Show or the Google Nest Hub Max (two of our top-pick smart displays), offer another great way to stay connected. There are also a number of fantastic family dishes featured in this 2016 roundup of Thanksgiving traditions, such as Erika Council’s pork neck and noodles or Martha Beltrán’s pan de jamón, which could be fun to try. Happy Thanksgiving 2020 messages, images and memes The holiday season looks a little different during covid-19 times but politicians, celebrities and TV … Sometimes they’re hard to find, but find them we must. He and his wife “made a decision that we’re going to have a quiet dinner with ourselves, put the Zoom on and chat with our children while we’re eating dinner,” Fauci said. Then I will adapt. Host a virtual feast. By Marlene Cimons. You could send something you’ve made yourself instead of ordering food online. We’re big fans of surprising family and friends with a box of Jeni’s Ice Cream, which we tested for our guide to the best gift baskets. That we even have access to creative alternatives is a blessing in and of itself. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, is waiting for COVID-19 test results, or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days should stay home. This Thanksgiving is especially poignant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people have lost loved ones or are experiencing financial hardships. If you’re like me, you’ve probably done your fair share of stress baking (and eating) during the pandemic. THANKSGIVING DURING A PANDEMIC Join a New York Times live event, “How to Cook Thanksgiving During a Pandemic,” at 6 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Nov. 10. I saw my brother's kind face smiling at me with calmness and love. I don’t want to have to think about which seat at the table might be empty next year because we were too careless this year. Sept. 15, 2020 -- “This year, we’re not having a family gathering because of COVID.” Like millions of Americans, Judy Ross has had to share that message as … The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which advises against traveling for Thanksgiving, predicts 35,000 more deaths by December. These days are dark, certainly, but a vaccine is in reach. You can always order basic precooked sides from the grocery store. This isn't going to be a y This Thanksgiving is especially poignant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people have lost loved ones or are experiencing financial hardships. Host a remote game night with friends and family to connect and de-stress while everyone’s stuck at home. If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that 2020 has been pretty...sucky. Updated Nov 10, 2020; Posted Nov 10, 2020 . Pull out the photo albums and pore through happy memories. Consider volunteering your time or donating money to an organization or charity that’s meaningful to you in lieu of having a big feast. Let’s train our brains to not just seek but find gratitude, even in these dark days. We share 2020’s top guides, recommendations, reader comments, deal stats, and more. Though my big, beautiful family is apart, we are together. They humanize you. Romantic partners. But that doesn’t mean you need to sit at your table sulking with a bag of Brach’s Turkey Dinner Candy Corn. Embrace this new-found resilience — choose to feel grateful, rather than deprived. The best idea I heard was crab hot pot every year!” (Fair warning: Last year, this Northern California tradition was disrupted by other marine friends. I am grateful for this optimism. COVID-19 has many people wondering just how they're going to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re like me, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to celebrate this year. As we approach the holidays, it’s important to think about the best ways to keep our loved ones and our communities safe as we celebrate. Social distance. Some also see it as the kick-off for December holiday gift shopping. Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. As you evaluate your Thanksgiving plans, hold that same hope in your heart — but also look forward with a clear-eyed sense of realism: If you don’t take the proper safety measures, you are contributing to the spread of the disease. Kristin Clark Taylor, a member of USA Today’s Board of Contributors, is an author, editor, and journalist. When hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, it’s best to keep it simple. Wirecutter editor Marilyn Ong said, “When I was living in Berkeley years ago, friends would talk about the Bay Area tradition of having crab for Thanksgiving, since the Dungeness crab season opens up there right before the holiday. What's the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving while social distancing? Cooperation, help, and solidarity from strangers Let’s let the numbers — the lost lives, the resulting grief, the unimaginable pain — order our steps as we move towards Thanksgiving. Each of these “numbers” once had a healthy pulse and a beating heart. I love looking around the table and feeling all that family love. In his own home, Dr. Anthony Fauci says “Thanksgiving will look very different this year.” He says his daughters are concerned that his age puts him at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Suggestions for shipping food holiday gift shopping in pieces ) on this holiday will matter to... Food online a warmer climate, consider taking advantage of the nice weather by an. 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