Thanksgiving this year will look a little different for families all over the United States. As sad as we will be to miss our traditional big gatherings, Covid 19 does not have to cancel your Thanksgiving plans altogether. Consider hosting your Thanksgiving outdoors, with ample space, and keeping the party smaller than years past.
Here are some great tips for hosting Thanksgiving on your patio this year:
Get your patio ready
The best way to decorate your patio for Thanksgiving is with beautiful fall colors, use mums, ornamental kale, and pumpkins and gourds. To practice social distancing, break up seating into smaller tables of families or those living in the same household versus one big long table. If it looks like it might be a little chilly on Thanksgiving afternoon or if you are hosting your Thanksgiving dinner in the evening, consider renting or investing in an outdoor heater. And if there’s rain in the forecast, a pop-up canopy is a great way to still enjoy Thanksgiving on your patio.
Food and Drink
If you are planning to host Thanksgiving on your patio, why not move the cooking to outside too. Fire up the grill for the turkey, use slow cookers to keep everyone’s favorite sides warm, like mashed potatoes and stuffing. When possible, try to offer individual portions so people do not have to reach into shared dishes. If it’s a brisk fall day, warm drinks like hot chocolate, mulled cider or wine are options that your guests will love. You can even get creative and offer rum or bourbon for guests to create their own hot cocktails.
Outdoor Entertainment
For most of us, the first thing we want to do after a big Thanksgiving meal is to take a nap. But shake off the drowsiness from the turkey and tryptophan and play outdoor games with family and friends, like cornhole or bocce ball, two fun outdoor games that allow you to maintain a safe distance. And it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without football. Set up a video projector on the patio to enjoy the big game after your big meal or even a movie at the end of the night.
Thanksgiving might look a little different from years past but it doesn’t mean you need to cancel. These three easy ideas will help you host Thanksgiving on your patio this year with family and friends, all while maintaining social distancing and staying safe.