Nicole Spector - TODAY
Usually around this time of year, Vicki Liston and her husband prepare for their annual trip from New Mexico to St. Louis to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family.
Her mother-in-law's house is so crowded with guests and they are so loud that they can be heard from a block away.
But this year the house will be quiet.
Due to the pandemic, instead of packing to leave the state with the children, Liston and her husband will stay home.
His mother-in-law will not receive anyone.
Instead of an in-person gathering full of food, wine, and laughter, everyone will dine alone with immediate family.
They will see each other sometime in the afternoon during a Zoom call.
"[My husband and I] feel very bad about this
vacation at home
, but we simply cannot justify the risks," Liston said, adding that her mother-in-law was not very happy with her decision.
“Understandably, she was shocked and hurt, and she went out of her way to change our minds.
My husband, bless his heart, bore most of the blame.
They even canceled our honeymoon in Italy next week and we still haven't been able to reschedule it, "he noted.
[What measures are being taken to stop the rebound in coronavirus infections? We explain them, state by state]
Thanksgiving Dinner Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Getty Images
A "vacation where you live" is not ideal, but it is the safest
As COVID-19 cases increase, people from all over the country and also from abroad are in the same (anchored) boat as Liston.
Roseann Foley Henry in Queens, New York, usually receives at least 15 guests on Thanksgiving Day, but this year it will only be her partner and her two children.
Liz Humphreys, a Canadian-American living in Berlin, is known for hosting epic Thanksgiving potlucks for up to 60 people (mostly for other expats), but Germany reversed some reopening measures, and a gathering inside. that size is not an option on the table.
These are the experts' recommendations for a safe Thanksgiving celebration
Nov. 10, 202001: 56
Even Anthony Fauci, the government's top epidemiologist, is preparing for the holiday in a different way than previous years.
Fauci told CBS News last month that while she would love to vacation with her children, "everyone would have to go to an airport, get on a plane and take public transportation."
And the CDC advises against travel, because it increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
CDC Releases New Recommendations for Safe Thanksgiving
Nov. 11, 202000: 33
Thanksgiving is not canceled, to be clear;
in fact, according to a survey by Toluna Corporate, a market research firm, 90% of people will be celebrating the holiday.
In a sense, more people will celebrate because more families will cook their own dinner.
[It is estimated that between 30% and 50% of Americans will travel for Thanksgiving despite the pandemic]
Grocery stores anticipate some items will be out of stock
Chris Mentzer, Chief Operating Officer for Rastelli Market Fresh in NJ, anticipates a 40% increase in grocery purchases ahead of this holiday compared to 2019, and they are already bracing for the shortage of staples for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving, such as canned sauce, filling, canned pumpkin, and traditional fall spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.
"If anything, people seem to want to be more traditional this year," Mentzer said, "They want the food they had when they were little: the turkey, the mashed potatoes and the stuffing.
I think with all this uncertainty, they just want some normalcy.
The only difference is that they are preparing for dinners of one to two people or four to eight instead of eight to 16 people.
And they are stocking up now.
I don't recommend hoarding, but if you're having a Thanksgiving dinner, buy sooner rather than later.
The [key essential ingredients] will definitely be depleted the week of [celebration]. "
[Follow all the information about the coronavirus pandemic]
Survey Finds 52% of Americans Prepare to Store Food as a Precautionary Measure
Oct. 13, 202001: 55
[A grandmother and a young man started celebrating Thanksgiving together by mistake. The tradition continues, but now it is bittersweet]
How to Make the Most of a Reduced Thanksgiving
Cooking the classic turkey dinner is one way to make this social distancing Thanksgiving feel less strange, but people are also creating new traditions to celebrate the holiday.
Here's a look at some ideas for families to feel together even when they have to be apart.
A Treasure Hunt for Texting with Kids
: Cassandra LeClair, in Texas, won't see her nieces and nephews this Thanksgiving, but will still be spending time with them.
You are planning a treasure hunt with them via text message.
"I will ask you to send me photos of different things that you can easily find around your house (a nice leaf, something you are thankful for, etc.)," LeClair explained, recommending that if you are going to do this, make sure you parents be aware so that their treasures are not lost. "
Give the leftovers to the family who lives a short drive away:
“This year will be the first year that my husband and I will not spend Thanksgiving with our two sons, daughters-in-law, our new grandson, and other members of the family. family, ”said Lynell Rossin Auburn, California,“ I am going to cook traditional Thanksgiving food, along with some new recipes, set up a beautiful table and be grateful for what we have.
I will make enough for 8-10 people so that we can share our delicious food.
The next day I will pack up the leftovers and take them to my friends and family so they can enjoy the day after Thanksgiving.
Who doesn't expect that? "
Host a Thanksgiving picnic with your own food and drink:
Michelle Stansbury in San Diego usually participates in a big
Friendsgiving
, but amid the pandemic, she's not comfortable with that kind of exposure.
So he came up with an alternative plan:
Bring Your Own
Picnic
(BYO) “To continue to have a sense of community, I am meeting with my
quarantine
for an outdoor picnic, BYO-Thanksgiving.
The advantage of living in San Diego is that the weather is still nice enough during Thanksgiving to enjoy the afternoon outside.
Since so many families are experiencing difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am going to donate money that I would have otherwise spent on the grand Thanksgiving celebration for those in need. "
Play soccer together using video games:
“One of our family traditions is a soccer game for everyone,” recounted Austin Varley of Scottsdale, Arizona, “Instead of playing soccer outside with everyone, we are making a Zoom call with the family while we play Madden ... Tournament winner is crowned
Turkey of the Year
. "
Splurge on good champagne and the best cheeses -
Humphreys in Berlin will follow Germany's partial lockdown guidelines and will only have seven people, as opposed to the more than 50 it has hosted in the past.
Since you're saving money on menu preparation, you're spending it big on the best beverages and foods.
“I think the key this year is to make Thanksgiving feel like a celebration,” Humphreys commented, “we can splurge on the best champagne and wine, and we're thinking of creating a special fall-themed cocktail.
For appetizers we can buy more premium cheeses than we would normally buy - we recently tried truffle cheese and a Barolo vine leaf wrapped cheese from Piedmont which were delicious and would be too expensive to serve a large group but would be perfect for a smaller meeting ".
Dining together at Zoom (or just toasting):
“While it definitely won't be the same, seeing [everyone] on Zoom will allow boisterous conversations to be part of the entire experience,” according to Liston, “we'll all cook in our respective kitchens, We will discuss the recipes we all come up with, see all the children, and hear about school and the challenges of remote learning and of course the virtual toast with drinks.
It's hard to be away from family on Thanksgiving, but we are grateful that everyone is safe and healthy. "