Quarantine Thanksgiving
Is your Thanksgiving table going to look drastically different this year?

Less people for social distancing?
Empty chairs from loved ones that fell victim to the virus?
First, I want to hold a very special space for you if your family lost a loved one to this pandemic. It’s really easy for those of us who haven’t to complain and whine about how different our lives look. But, that’s nothing compared to your loss. I wrap you in love and wish you peace as you grieve.
My family is high-risk for many reasons, so I won’t be able to spend the holiday with them.
Blessedly, I have a hubby and 5 incredible children (plus 2 bonus with their significant others) that I get to celebrate with.
However, I’ll be honest. I had to reframe my expectations and remind myself of that blessing. I am the Thanksgiving host for my family and have been for over a decade. My brother comes from Ireland. My sister from Ohio. And Momma only lives 15 minutes away. We have an incredible week of love and board games and laughter and cooking together. It’s the ONE TIME PER YEAR we are able to all be together since we live all over the world. And doggone, I am pissed that has been stripped away.
But, after a heart reset and a focus on what this holiday means – I pulled myself out of my funk.
I started to dream of ways I could inject a little fun and hope back into our family holiday that though smaller, can still be incredibly special.
Venue Change – Thanksgiving in the Mountains
First, we decided to change our venue.
We rented an adorable cabin in the mountains of Colorado. If we can’t be with everyone – why not be in the mountains….with a hot tub!? <3
After being home for so long, it will be incredible to break out of Nebraska and travel (by car) to Keystone, Colorado!!! (Have you been there? It’s our first time – so comment below if you have recommendations for us!)
Some fresh mountain air, a bubbly hot tub, and not my kitchen – just sounds perfect for a getaway with my family.
Then, I have been collecting new board games. Now, we are basically raising miniature adults. Ages 20, 19, 18, 17, and 13 – Candy Land doesn’t cut it anymore. So, we have been on the look-out for more adult games. So far, we have collected:
What board games would you recommend we add to this collection. Please comment below – I want several more!!
Outdoor Adventures
Since so much will be different about our celebration, I want to go ahead and shake up the whole experience. Usually, thanksgiving week means I cook 4-6 hours per day, every day. This year, easier meals and much more time outside.
We want to hike the trails, smell the mountain freshness, and feel that mountain air.
Oh man, can I snap my fingers and be there tomorrow?!
Gratitude Exercises
Now, I’m researching some ways to share some gratitude exercises with my late teens in hopes they get excited to participate, not just roll their eyes.
I found these ADORABLE thankful trees – and this is now the plan.
We can each paint our leaf & reflect on how grateful & blessed we are.
Though the year has been exceptionally challenging and even more scary, we have so much to celebrate. We have had more time together than in any other year – and we have built beautiful memories. Here’s to CO and some brand new magical memories!
What are you planning with your family? Give me more ideas below!!! I have my work cut out fo me with this crew!

As a Canadian we celebrated Thanksgiving last month. It was a very small intimate dinner with our tiny social bubble. I did miss being able to see my family, but I enjoyed the laid back quieter dinner, followed by a great fire out in the back yard. So much to be Thankful for, despite this pandemic!
So true!!! And love hearing that. We have a tiny social bubble too – so we will do something with them as well. What a wild year!!!
dear Sarah,
This year, I’ve been much more introspective. I enjoyed your lovely story because it’s written from the heart ! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Yaz
Dear Sarah,
This year, I’ve been much more introspective. I enjoyed your lovely story because it’s written from the heart ! Have a great Thanksgiving! ENJOY THE SEASON
Yaz
I love the idea of going to a cabin for Thanksgiving. My family is a bunch of gamers. I would add Tesestrations (the 12 player party pack) and Just One to the list. I actually wrote a post about our favorite games to play with our young teenage kids. My husband and I made a video demonstrating them!
Oh what a fun idea, I’m gonna poke around your site and try and find that one!!!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Excellent ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
This is amazing! I’d say quarantine has drastically changed the way we approached celebrations, may it be business or family. But I believe the bond of a true set of friends will conquer anything.
Isn’t that the truth. Thank god for good friends!!!! 🙂 <3
Thanksgiving in the mountains sounds like the perfect plan. My Thanksgiving will be the first one ever that I won’t be with a big group of people. Not sure I know how to cook for only two!
Take Wingspan to play for sure!
This year is harder for so many people. Gathering is something that the government put a super strict restrictions on. Even harder for those with loved ones who were taken by the virus. It is great that you got to celebrate Thanksgiving in a cabin!! Great time for change! It is great that you even have some new board games. I love CAH!!! Stay safe during these times!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
I lived in CO for 4 years and it’s absolutely beautiful in the fall and winter! A cabin in the mountains sounds amazing, what a wonderful way to celebrate Thansgiving!