The Thanksgiving Meal Exchange
A safe way for family and friends to enjoy the holiday together
Introduction
With Thanksgiving approaching as the coronavirus intensifies, families need to consider alternative ways to celebrate this significant holiday.
We must abandon the large gatherings this year. While it will be a sad adjustment for all of us, we must consider the safety of our loved ones. We absolutely have to socially distance ourselves from family and friends to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite this sad reality, I have a happy alternative.
As a former home economist and family and consumer sciences teacher, I would love to share a perfect solution that will keep the spirit of the season alive as a delicious Thanksgiving meal is enjoyed.
The Spirit of Things
The true meaning of Thanksgiving is all about acknowledging our blessings with a thankful spirit.
Sorrow, grief, and other overwhelming emotions have overshadowed all of us for most of the year. In the midst of our troubling times, goodness and light prevails. We have life. We have breath. We have a stable mind. We are blessed with many other things that we often take for granted. We have a dwelling place that gives us rest, clean water to drink, a free will, and we have the ability to pursue happiness. We have the capacity to embrace knowledge, we have freedom to practice our religion, and we have the ability to enjoy our leisure time. Our live may not be what it was last year this time, but, we have life.
While celebrating our spirit of thankfulness will need to be in solitude for some this year or within our small, immediate families for others, the celebration will go on. As long as we carry thanksgiving in our heart, we will be able to celebrate.
Here is an idea to help you, your family, and your friends enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal while doing so.
The Food Is So Good!
A cookie exchange has become an extremely popular tradition for a lot of people during the Christmas season. A delicious assortment of cookies are shared with others. My idea puts a whole new spin on this concept.
Instead of baking delicious cookies, packing them nicely, and giving them to others in exchange for receiving some, families and friends who usually eat a delicious meal on this day may be invited to participate in a Thanksgiving exchange.
All of the details are described below.
- Families and friends should commit to participating in the meal exchange as an alternative to gathering together on Thanksgiving.
- Each family should agree on the food item or items that they will prepare or purchase for the each of the participating families. Whatever meal item is decided on should be enough to heartily feed every family.
- Participating families must be prepared to place their Thanksgiving food in a lovely container or dish that is either either ready to be baked in the oven or chilled in the refrigerator.
- Plans must be made to deliver the food to each family either the day before Thanksgiving or prior to mealtime. The planning process must also include the time that each family will sit at their set table to eat. This is critical because the families should make their special meal a virtual experience. They should use a large screen television to connect with each other.
Appetizers, turkey with stuffing and gravy, vegetables, homemade breads, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, salads, sweet potato and pumpkin pie, and all the traditional foods and drinks that are appreciated at traditional holiday gatherings may are destined to be enjoyed at the virtual Thanksgiving exchange.
Conclusion
We need to think outside of the box this holiday season because we must do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Organizing family and friends to prepare their specialties to deliver at designating times reflects a creative way maintain the spirit of the holiday. Sharing the meal together virtually bring a sense of normalcy to this special day.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
If you enjoyed reading about an alternative way to celebrate the Thanksgiving, here is another story that you may also enjoy. I provide ideas for celebrating Christmas during the pandemic.
Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.
Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.