Quarantine Thanksgiving: New Traditions to Celebrate Gratitude

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!