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Hosting Thanksgiving during COVID-19: What you need to know

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With the holidays rapidly approaching and the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, you may start wondering about your Thanksgiving plans. You’re certainly not alone if you’ve been asking yourself, “Should I host Thanksgiving this year?”

If you plan to host a Thanksgiving celebration, it’s important to be prepared for safe gathering, updated guidelines, and changing plans. We’ve got everything you need to know about hosting Thanksgiving during COVID-19 so you can enjoy the holiday with your loved ones while staying safe.

sparkly Thanksgiving tables cape
shawnkarami / Pixabay

CDC guidelines for holiday gatherings

Since COVID-19 is an ever-changing situation, it’s a good idea to keep current with the CDC’s guidelines for holiday gatherings in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Give particular attention to travel guidelines, indoor gathering guidelines, and guidelines for unvaccinated individuals if this applies to anyone that will be attending your Thanksgiving gathering.

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Travel guidelines

The CDC recommends being fully vaccinated prior to traveling, and they also recommend wearing a mask during transit if you are traveling with people who are not in your household. Masks are required on public transportation vehicles, such as planes, trains, buses, as well as in indoor transportation hubs.

Delay your travel plans if:

  • You tested positive for COVID
  • You had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID
  • You are feeling sick or showing symptoms of COVID

Large or indoor gathering guidelines

The CDC recommends forgoing large or indoor gatherings for the holidays, but wearing a mask if you do gather indoors or in large groups.

Guidelines for unvaccinated individuals

It’s recommended that unvaccinated individuals wear masks in any public place or at any indoor gathering where individuals are present that are not in your household.

What are the safest options for holiday celebrations?

Virtual celebrations

The safest option available for celebrating the holidays is a virtual gathering. Consider contactless food delivery to your loved ones and meeting on video chat to eat a meal together and celebrate the holiday.

Outdoor gatherings

In an outdoor space, ventilation makes it safer to gather. Masks are generally not required or recommended for outdoor gatherings so your guests will be much more comfortable. If the weather in your region permits, an outdoor holiday gathering may be the ticket to a safe and successful celebration.

Jose Luis Pelaez / Media Bakery

Precautions for hosting Thanksgiving indoors

If you do decide to host an indoor gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, be sure you are taking precautions to protect yourself and your guests.

Keep the gathering small

Large indoor gatherings risk the rapid spread of COVID-19, so be sure to keep your gathering small enough for people to social distance in the indoor space.

Set up your space to allow for social distancing

To allow and encourage social distancing, it’s a good idea to assign seating at the dinner table.  You can group together people in the same households and then adequately space the chairs of individuals who do not share households.

Take safety precautions while preparing food

As you prepare that delicious Thanksgiving meal, be sure you are taking every precaution you can to keep your guests safe.

  • Wear a mask while you’re preparing food
  • Wash your hands often during the preparation and cooking process
  • Sanitize preparation and cooking surfaces often

Open windows or doors during the gathering

Indoor gatherings should be held in a space that can be ventilated to minimize the spread of germs. Open your doors or windows during your gathering to allow fresh air to cycle into the room.

Wear masks indoors when not eating

It’s recommended that individuals gathering indoors wear masks. Of course, when your guests are eating they won’t be able to wear a mask, but encourage the wearing of face coverings before and after dinner is being served.

Prepare for safe serving practices

One considerable risk of spreading germs during dinner is the fact that people are using all of the same serving utensils. Consider serving people yourself or designating one individual to serve each dish to your guests.

Be sure any appetizers and drinks are being served safely as well. You can opt for single-serve items like canned and bottled drinks, bite-sized appetizers, or pre-packaged individual items.

Have discussions with guests beforehand

Make sure your guests are aware of the precautions you’re taking for your Thanksgiving gathering so they can be prepared to comply with any restrictions or expectations. This will also put your guests at ease knowing you’re taking the risks seriously and addressing them appropriately.

thanksgiving table with pie and fall leaves
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Should I host Thanksgiving this year?

Deciding whether you should host Thanksgiving can be a challenge, but if you can do it safely with the precautions we’ve discussed, your Thanksgiving gathering should be fairly safe.

When you shouldn’t host a Thanksgiving gathering

  • Your indoor space isn’t conducive to social distancing
  • Your indoor space isn’t well-ventilated
  • You’re feeling sick or have COVID symptoms

Celebrating holidays together is a wonderful tradition, and COVID-19 has certainly kept people apart for longer than we would have wanted. If you’re considering hosting Thanksgiving this year and getting back into the swing of gathering together, be sure you’re taking appropriate precautions so you and your guests are comfortable and can enjoy each other’s company safely.

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Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
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