8 Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 at Home

Thanksgiving plans this year have changed for many people, but that doesn't mean you still can't celebrate the holiday! Here are 8 non-traditional ways to celebrate Thanksgiving this year at home. Some of them may even become part of your regular holiday tradition!

Thanksgiving 2020 Ideas

1. Get outside. Many local races are going virtual this year. The Berbee Derby and Turkey Trot are both still happening, and are a great way to support your community and get some exercise. Running not your thing? Visit one of Dane County’s many parks and take a Thanksgiving Day hike, or take an extra long stroll in a new neighborhood. Depending on the weather, wearing layers will help make the time outside more comfortable. Spending a little extra time outside could be the start of a great new Thanksgiving tradition!

2. Order out. Thanksgiving food is the highlight of the day for many, but maybe cooking the entire feast for a small group sounds overwhelming. Many local restaurants are offering curbside Thanksgiving Dinners. You can support a local business and give your cooking skills a break. This is a great list of Madison area restaurants curated by Destination Madison that are offering curbside Thanksgiving feasts. Your favorite restaurant may be offering take-out too, so be sure to call around.

3. Try a new recipe. Have you always wanted to try cooking Indian food? Never made a triple decker cake? Add some new pizazz to your 2020 Thanksgiving table and pick out a new recipe to try - it may become new favorite. Or, you can do what my household does and put all of your favorite dishes on the Thanksgiving menu instead of sticking to the traditional dishes. Suddenly nachos and brunch food all go together!

4. Share your food. Know someone who lives alone and doesn’t have any plans? Deliver a no-contact Thanksgiving meal or an extra slice of pie to them. It can be a surprise, or you can call them a few days in advance and ask them what their favorite foods are. You’ll be saving yourself from too many leftovers, and spreading kindness in the process. 

5. Connect, virtually. Missing your usual Thanksgiving crew? Coordinate with everyone on a time to have your meal while on Zoom and take turns sharing funny stories. Plan ahead and have your food ready to eat before the scheduled time so you don’t miss anything. You can also plan to watch the Macy’s Day parade or football together over video chat, or host virtual game night. Have tech-challenged relatives? Pick up the phone and check in on family or friends you haven’t seen in awhile.

6. Do a home project. Spend the day sprucing up your home. Give a room a facelift with a fresh coat of paint, or start organizing your basement or garage so things are easier to find. Or, check out the Fall Virtual Parade of Homes online to get some ideas for your dream home or your next remodeling project. 

7. Give back while cleaning up. Take some time to go through your closet and find old winter coats and clothes to donate in the next week. Some local non-profits that accept clothing donations include Salvation Army, St. Vinny’s, Middleton Outreach Ministry, Agrace Thrift Stores, Rescue Me Consignment and Thrift Boutique, the Dane County Humane Society Thrift Store, and Waunakee Neighborhood Connection.  

8. Give thanks. Gratitude is central to the Thanksgiving holiday, and 2020 should be no exception. Take some time to write down 5 things you are thankful for, and then share one of or two of the things on your list with someone else. It’s been a challenging year and can be hard to focus on the positive, but there are likely many things you can be thankful for.