It’s no secret that Americans love Thanksgiving. Every year, many families have large gatherings, eating together at one table. Like the majority of annual traditions, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it almost unimaginable to hold in its usual form. Not only are cases at an all-time high, but we are still months away from a vaccine. I love being with my family as much as the next person, but please, have a virtual Thanksgiving. 

Personally, I have been lucky to always have Thanksgiving with my extended family, including my grandparents. During the pandemic,we have stuck to weekly FaceTimes and only distanced and outdoor gatherings to protect everyone’s safety. As the temperature drops, outdoor gatherings become more and more difficult, but still, we do not plan to move inside. 

According to the CDC, the chances of the spread of COVID-19 indoor versus outdoor is higher, and, if you have a gathering with older relatives or relatives with pre-existing conditions, the risk of them getting dangerously sick is also increased. Although I would think that I wouldn’t even need to say this, I have been shockingly surprised by the number of indoor gatherings I have seen as Chicago takes on its chilly winters. Additionally, with the return of many college kids, the risk of spreading the virus is even higher, since cases have skyrocketed at many universities around the country.

Instead, I encourage each and every person to gather virtually — there are ways to still maintain the feeling of being together while apart. If there is a shocking change in weather, or you are celebrating in a warmer climate, go for a distanced and outside event, but if you are from Chicago, it’s pretty likely that mid-November will bring the usual cold.

One option is to prepare food separately then eat together on Zoom. If that’s not possible, see if one member of a family or a friend can deliver food and then eat together. Hopefully, eating together can simulate the feeling of being at one table. So now, if you plan on hosting your Thanksgiving virtually, here are a few tips to keep it running smooth and fun.

Designate a host. Zoom can be temperamental, so make sure one attendee has double checked the tech, makes sure it’s working properly, and is able to offer support to any attendee who needs it. There are also many other free video-chat platforms that you can use if that works better for you than Zoom. Further, oftentimes there can be semi-awkward video-chat silences, so use this person to lead the conversation and keep it going.

On that same note, be prepared for potential silences. Speaking through a screen can create a disconnect, so you can prepare games, activities, or topics for discussions. Consider going around and saying what you are grateful for or share family memories.

Keep it short, but meaningful. Everyone faces “Zoom fatigue,” so don’t keep people online for longer than necessary. If needed, set a designated end time so there is no awkwardness or miscommunication when trying to log off.

Dress up or decorate. Take advantage of the fun Zoom features such as virtual backgrounds or filters, and find ways to make the gathering exciting.

This year is different, and it will continue to be for some time. But, the safety of everyone is the most important aspect of any event, and with so much technology at our fingertips, we must take advantage of it.