How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020

Created November 16, 2020

Whether it’s your first time fixing a delicious Thanksgiving meal, you’re a seasoned pro, or you're expecting less company than usual, we’ve gathered some of our favorite Thanksgiving 2020 ideas so you can plan family-filled fun into your day of thanks. Spend this family time by trying new dining themes, creative menu inspiration and don’t forget to wave to the Pillsbury ™ Doughboy in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! No matter what your day will look like this year, we know it will be a special one.

Dine Virtually

Just because you can’t visit all of your favorite people in person this year doesn’t mean you all can’t still experience the festivities together. Schedule a virtual meal over FaceTime or Zoom, before, during or after dinner so you can still feel close on the big day. If you’re all local, consider setting up a safe food share where people drop off components of a meal to share and enjoy over video chat. On a positive note, a smaller Thanksgiving means fewer dishes to clean.

Dine Al Fresco

If you're lucky enough to have patio heaters or outdoor fall weather on Thanksgiving, there’s nothing like enjoying a meal in the fresh air—perfect for a small group! Decorate your outdoor dining table with some seasonal flair and if you think you might expect some chill later in the day, add throw pillows and a small fire to the mix to make it feel extra cozy.

Try a New Menu

Maybe you've always wanted to break away from the traditional Thanksgiving dishes for a change. This is your chance—try a Mexican-food feast, Italian extravaganza, maybe swap your turkey for seafood. You could even start the festivities earlier with an all-breakfast-food Thanksgiving. See what your family has always wanted to try and come up with some unexpected meal combinations.

Keep It Simple

Your guest list may be a bit smaller than usual and it’s ok to scale back your menu. Consider cooking turkey breast instead of a whole bird. You could even give ham, duck or Cornish hen a shot. Serve fewer side dishes or smaller portions of your family's favorites. Just make sure you still have enough for next-day leftovers. Whatever Thanksgiving looks like to you, all that matters is that you’re someplace where you can savor the memories. And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures!