It is tough to keep away from seeing relatives and friends, especially during the festive season. Many families look forward to spending Thanksgiving with their relatives and friend, however, this year, the get- together seem a little tough. As the pandemic Covid -19 gets stronger, dinner parties and social gatherings must be avoided to curb the risk of getting infected and infecting the loved ones at the same time.

According to a national poll conducted in Michigan, more than half the parents said it’s important for the kids to be with their relatives during this time of the year. However, there still are many families that want to avoid the spread of the virus by avoiding these gatherings.

During these difficult times and with the festive season around the corner, it is advisable to do a little planning and lower the risk of the virus by deciding to stay indoors and celebrate the event with your own family.

Ways to avoid the virus this Thanksgiving

Eating together virtually- Preparing a traditional family dinner and sharing it virtually (a video conference call) with your relatives or friends will be the new normal soon and I think it is another fun way of connecting with your loved ones. Some recipes of delicacies can also be shared and cooked together being in your own abode and see who b(m)akes it better.

Keeping the children involved- More than the adults, it’s the kids who look forward to celebrating special days with friends and relatives. Let’s not kill their excitement, after all, special days come after a wait of 365 days. It is necessary to educate the children about the consequences of the disease and keeping them busy at the same time. Encourage your kids at home to decorate the house with DIY activities and to prepare dishes for the special day. Ask them to check some DIY videos and try to create their own stuff.

Drop-off Potluck- Eating together has always been fun but at the same time looking at the current situation, it really is not advisable to spend festivals with people outside your household. I understand you love to share with people you love, so here’s an alternative; instead of organizing a dinner at the same dining table, why don’t you nicely drop off your favorite recipe at their doorstep? I guess this is the coolest way to celebrate and eat with your loved ones.

Shopping Online whenever possible- By shopping online, you aren’t only keeping yourself safe but the others at the store too. Fortunately, almost everything is available online; from groceries to shoes, medicines, etc. Avoid going to these crowded places and place an order online for the ingredients that you need to bake a cake or confetti to decorate your house. If it doesn’t seem possible, try to visit the store when it is least crowded.

Making others smile- This is my favorite one! Festivals are for everyone, especially thanksgiving. It’s heartbreaking to see the elderly spending the day alone at their houses since people are avoiding to travel and infect the aged ones. If you have old people living near your house, make sure they have someone to receive a wish from; maybe dropped a small token or a meal. It will definitely bring a smile to their faces and make their day.

Even if you are having a mixed-household gathering, keep the following things in mind;

• Keep the Thanksgiving gatherings small and short
• Maintain distance from each other
• Open windows and stay outside as much as possible
• Let one person do the serving of the food or alcohol
• Wear masks and use the sanitizer frequently
• The moment you receive a guest, show them the washroom to wash their hands and ensure that they all use separate hand towels

The pandemic is here to stay and we might not even have an antidote in the near future. It is our social responsibility to keep ourselves and the people around us safe. Taking necessary precautions might be somewhat annoying but it is the best solution for now. Remember, it is not going to last forever. Your life may not be precious to yourself but you are very precious to the people who love you.

Stay Safe and Have Super Safe Festive Time!!