October 06, 2020
There is no doubt COVID-19 will affect Thanksgiving get-togethers this year. Social distancing and travel restrictions are changing some family traditions, but that doesn't mean our favorite food holiday is canceled. Family, food, and being thankful are still at the forefront.
Are you wondering where families can go for Thanksgiving in 2020? Do you need some out-of-the-box ideas to feel connected to your loved ones? Our restaurant and bulk food supply experts share new ways to stay connected during this time of social distancing and limited gatherings.
Need Creative Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for 2020?
While it's easy to feel isolated during this time, you can still connect with loved ones, near and far. From virtual dinners to drive-by parades, these four dinner ideas will help you celebrate together.
1. Turkey Day Recipe Exchange
Is someone in your family famous for their stuffing? Do you look forward to your aunt's pumpkin pie every year? If you can't enjoy Thanksgiving as a group, bring their signature dishes to your home with a virtual dinner party and recipe exchange. Create a recipe to share where each member of your family spills the secret on their famous Thanksgiving dish. Encourage everyone to recreate each one of the traditional dishes.
2. Send A Letter Of Thanks
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving, other than the food, is giving thanks and sharing the meaningful ways your loved ones have impacted your life. If you can't be in the same room this year, plan a "mail party" where everyone sends letters or homemade cards to each other that can be read on Thanksgiving. Not only will it help everyone feel connected, but you'll also have a memento to cherish for years to come. Read them out loud during a virtual dinner. Focus on favorite memories, funny family stories, and hopes for the future.
3. Create Your Own Thanksgiving Day Parade
To practice safety, some family members might not be able to be around groups of people, which means they may decide to stay home. If that's the case, organize a family Thanksgiving drive-by. Initially designed for small celebrations, like birthday parties, "drive-by parties" are perfect for a mini-Thanksgiving Day parade. Go all out and decorate your vehicles and cruise past your loved one's home at a designated time. Each car can drop off special Thanksgiving dishes or baked goods and leave them right on the doorstep.
4. Cook Individual Portions
What do we all do during a Thanksgiving dinner? We pass around the delicious dishes everyone has made. To be safe, some people are rethinking shareable platters this year. Not to worry, though. You can still get all your favorite sides at the dinner table.
If you are hosting family members from outside of your household and want to maintain social distancing, create your own Thanksgiving trays. A fun take on the traditional family-style platter, Thanksgiving trays are an elevated take on old-school TV dinners.
Instead of bringing a casserole dish of stuffing, you can make individual servings for each guest. Create fun trays so that everyone gets their own. You can easily get a variety of to-go containers from your local restaurant and bulk food supply store. They have oven-safe and even eco-friendly options so you can feel good about your purchases.
Can Wholesale Groceries Stretch Your Thanksgiving Food Budget?
No matter what your Thanksgiving looks like this year, you still want to be budget-conscious. If you find yourself cooking a whole Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, you don't want to break the bank. If you plan your menu strategically and shop at your local wholesale bulk supply store, you can save big bucks on your holiday meal.
Here are a few holiday grocery saving tips:
- Buy your Thanksgiving produce in bulk; preserve, can, or pickle leftovers. Pro tip: Jams and pickled veggies make thoughtful and affordable holiday gifts.
- Extend the life of your wholesale meat purchase by freezing leftovers.
- Incorporate your Thanksgiving fruit and veggies into a meal plan past the holiday.
Save On Thanksgiving Dinner With Wholesale Groceries
US Foods CHEF'STORE knows that feeding a family during the holidays can be time-consuming and costly. However, when you shop at our stores, you'll find we provide quality products at competitive prices. Not only do we have fresh produce and choice meats, but we also carry a full selection of baking essentials, disposable containers, and more! Don't have time to drive to the store? We partner with Instacart and Shipt so you can have all your items delivered right to your door.