Thanksgiving: Holidays are what you make them!

How will you celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020?

Try New Recipes? Virtual HouseParty? Thanksgiving Cocktails?

Thanksgiving is going to look a little different this year. Instead of bustling airports, boisterous dining room tables, and lots of hugs and kisses from friends and family, it seems like this year will be much quieter. By now you probably know that the CDC has issued guidelines for celebrating Thanksgiving, and we strongly recommend that you read and implement their precautionary measures if you are hosting or attending a Thanksgiving celebration. Of course, the safest option is to celebrate virtually or stay home and celebrate with the people you live with, but it’s important to acknowledge that for many Americans, this is the only opportunity all year to commune with family, and in a year where we all could use some more of each other, we know it’s not an easy choice to make. But we also know, being safe and following the guidelines gives us a better shot of being able to celebrate next year all together.

So maybe you won’t be gathering at a large table with generations of family or all the neighbors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make this holiday a celebration! And when it comes to celebrating and making moments magical no matter the circumstances, ELE has got you covered: 

1. Try Grandma’s Recipes at home!

Pull out that old family recipe you’ve been meaning to try! For so many of us, Thanksgiving is the only time we get to indulge in our family’s food traditions. Most of us have favorite recipes made by one family member in particular - who knows, maybe this is the year that you’ll get Grandma to divulge the secret ingredient to her famous apple pie! Cooking a dish rooted in tradition can keep the connection to your family alive this year, and give you a taste of home. And you never know, you could end up inventing a whole new recipe that future generations will enjoy for years to come! 

2. Have a (virtual) Houseparty with your loved ones!

Since the beginning of this pandemic, companies have rapidly created and refined video chatting apps - and this is the perfect time to take advantage of them! Even if you can’t see family in person, it’s crucial that you check up on your loved ones and let them know how important they are to you, even if you can’t be with them. The holiday season can be such an emotionally trying time, especially this year! Video chats are not the same as family gatherings, but at least you are putting forth the effort to give your friends and family a sense of normalcy and tradition.

3. Create signature Thanksgiving cocktails (or mocktails)

You’re not driving anywhere, so why not?! Tune in today at 5pm EST/ 2pm PST for our Instagram Livestream with Mixologist Diesha Banner from A Glass Above! We’ll be getting the holiday season started with a Thanksgiving cocktail recipe that turns any Thanksgiving meal into a full-blown celebration! 🥳 If you don’t drink alcohol, leave out the booze and make a mocktail- all of the holiday cheer, without the risk of ending up on the naughty list! 

4. Get Cozy!

You would think that a holiday revolving around stuffing your face would be inherently cozy, but you would be wrong! If you are one of the many Americans who were forced into tights, dress pants, and/or uncomfortable shoes, all for the purpose of looking “presentable” in your aunt’s living room, congratulations this is your year to wear the elastic-banded sweats you’ve always yearned for! We highly recommend throwing on your fuzziest of socks, make yourself a fire (or light a candle, if you don’t have a fireplace), and turn on a cheesy holiday flick; sit back, relax, and enjoy the freedom of celebrating the way you always wanted to!

5. Celebrate Christmas/Winter Holidays! 

As we all know, the end of Thanksgiving is a signal to the rest of the country that we are ready for the “Christmas Season”. (We’re aware that Christmas isn’t celebrated by everyone, we do mean this in the commercial sense!) It’s just another side effect of the pandemic but we will be spending more time indoors this holiday season than ever before. Since we are stuck inside, it’s so important to create that festive atmosphere in your home! Transform your space into a jolly one with ornaments, wreaths, nutcrackers, twinkling lights, candles, and holiday potpourri! Stock your home with holiday treats and cheer by creating decadent desserts, make a holiday playlist, have movie nights with your roomies! There are so many ways to bring this energy into your home, have fun and experiment with it! We’ll be posting some holiday DIY’s on our Instagram, so stay tuned for more!