Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for gathering around the table laden with stuffing, pies, and turkey, surrounded by friends and family. Unfortunately, not everyone can be together at Thanksgiving with circumstances such as health concerns, geographical distance, and other challenges preventing loved ones from celebrating in person. That is where a virtual Thanksgiving comes into play, an inclusive, creative, and heartfelt way to connect with family and friends and celebrate gratitude, no matter where you are.
Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving can be just as enjoyable and meaningful as an in-person gathering. With the right technology, a sprinkle of creativity, and some planning, you can bring everyone together in spirit and create memories that will last a life time.
Below we give you some tips on how you can make your virtual Thanksgiving a success:
1. Set a Time That Works for Everyone
Coordinating across timezones is not always easy. It is wise to choose a time that works for the majority of participants and be sure to communicate it well in advance. Use tools such as a scheduling feature in Google Calendar or World Time Buddy to avoid any confusion.
2. Choose the Right Platform
One of the first steps to hosting a virtual Thanksgiving is selecting a platform that works for everyone. Options such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet tend to offer free or paid plans with features that vary.
Consider the following factors when choosing your platform:
Test the platform of your choice beforehand to familiarize yourself with its features and troubleshoot any potential issues that may arise.
3. Send Creative Invitations
Even though the get together is virtual, make your invitations special. Use platforms such as Canva or even e-cards to design festive invites, complete with the time, brief agenda, and the event link. You could even include a dress code such as fall colours or cozy sweaters to set the mood and add a fun twist.
4. Create a Festive Agenda
An organized agenda helps the virtual event run smooth and keeps everyone engaged.
Here is an example agenda:
One of the highlights of Thanksgiving is the meal that we share. While you will not be sitting at the same table, you can still create a shared culinary experience.
Encourage those attending your virtual Thanksgiving to decorate their spaces for a more festive atmosphere. Whether it is candles, centrepiece of fall foliage, or a themed tablecloth, these little touches can make a huge difference. Share photo's of your decorations and your set up before the call to create a sense of connection.
7. Incorporate Entertainment
Thanksgiving isn't just about eating, it is also about enjoying the company of each other. Incorporate entertainment to keep things lively during your Thanksgiving get together:
8. Keep Kids Engaged
If you have young children participating in the virtual Thanksgiving, include activities to keep them entertained. Set up a craft session where you can provide colouring sheets that they can complete during the call or even make Thanksgiving-themed decorations.
9. Share a Virtual Toast
Raise a glass, whether with cider, wine, or a non-alcoholic option and make a toast to health, happiness and gratitude. This shared moment can be surprisingly memorable and touching.
10. Send Care Packages
To add a more personal touch, consider sending small care packages to your virtual Thanksgiving guesys ahead of time. These could include:
11. Wrap Up with Gratitude
End your virtual Thanksgiving on a high note by expressing gratitude for everyone's participation. Acknowledge the effort that everyone put into making the day special and be sure to remind them how much they mean to you.
12. Record the Event
Capture the magic by recording the virtual Thanksgiving. Be sure to get the consent of everyone before you record. This video can be a keepsake to cherish and look back on.
Tips for Success
Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving may not replicate the warmth of shared plates and in-person hugs, but it can offer a meaningful way to connect when being together physically is not possible.
With a little creativity and thoughtful planning, you can create a Thanksgiving celebration that is just as memorable and heartfelt.
Remember, the essence of Thanksgiving is connection and gratitude. Whether you are savoring a shared recipe, enjoying the sight of familiar faces, or sharing laughter through a screen, the bonds of friendship and love remain as strong as ever.
Happy Virtual Thanksgiving!
Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving can be just as enjoyable and meaningful as an in-person gathering. With the right technology, a sprinkle of creativity, and some planning, you can bring everyone together in spirit and create memories that will last a life time.
Below we give you some tips on how you can make your virtual Thanksgiving a success:
1. Set a Time That Works for Everyone
Coordinating across timezones is not always easy. It is wise to choose a time that works for the majority of participants and be sure to communicate it well in advance. Use tools such as a scheduling feature in Google Calendar or World Time Buddy to avoid any confusion.
2. Choose the Right Platform
One of the first steps to hosting a virtual Thanksgiving is selecting a platform that works for everyone. Options such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet tend to offer free or paid plans with features that vary.
Consider the following factors when choosing your platform:
- Features: Look for breakout rooms, screen sharing, or even built-in games to enhance your Thanksgiving celebrations.
- Participant Limit: Ensure the platform you choose can accomodate your guest list.
- Ease of Use: Choose a platform that your guests would be comfortable using, especially if you have guests who are not as tech-savvy as you are.
- Time LImits: Some free versions have time limits for group calls such as Zoom. You may need to upgrade your plan or plan for breaks during your celebrations.
Test the platform of your choice beforehand to familiarize yourself with its features and troubleshoot any potential issues that may arise.
3. Send Creative Invitations
Even though the get together is virtual, make your invitations special. Use platforms such as Canva or even e-cards to design festive invites, complete with the time, brief agenda, and the event link. You could even include a dress code such as fall colours or cozy sweaters to set the mood and add a fun twist.
4. Create a Festive Agenda
An organized agenda helps the virtual event run smooth and keeps everyone engaged.
Here is an example agenda:
- Greetings and Welcome: Start your Thanksgiving celebrations with introductions, especially if some participants do not know each other well.
- Dinner Time: Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal together, chatting just as you would around a shared table.
- Activities and Games: Plan virtual games such as bingo, charades, or trivia. Online platforms like Kahoot! and Jackbox Games can make this easy enough.
- Sharing Gratitude: Go everyone each person and have everyone share what they are thankful for this year.
- Stories and Dessert: Wind down with a dessert and share heartwarming or funny family stories.
One of the highlights of Thanksgiving is the meal that we share. While you will not be sitting at the same table, you can still create a shared culinary experience.
- Potluck Style: Assign different Thanksgiving dishes to different households and ask them to showcase their creations during the call.
- Virtual Cook-Alongs: Schedule a pre-Thanksgiving cook-along session where everyone can prepare dishes together and chat via video.
- Coordinate Menus: Suggest a theme or share recipes so that everyone can prepare similar dishes. One example, you might agree on pumpkin pie or turkey or opt for a more casual comfort food menu.
Encourage those attending your virtual Thanksgiving to decorate their spaces for a more festive atmosphere. Whether it is candles, centrepiece of fall foliage, or a themed tablecloth, these little touches can make a huge difference. Share photo's of your decorations and your set up before the call to create a sense of connection.
7. Incorporate Entertainment
Thanksgiving isn't just about eating, it is also about enjoying the company of each other. Incorporate entertainment to keep things lively during your Thanksgiving get together:
- Live Performances: Encourage participants to showcase their talents, whether it is playing an instrument, reciting poetry, or singing.
- Music: Create a shared playlist of everyone's favourite Thanksgiving tunes and play the playlist softly in the background.
- Storytelling: Have family members share stories or bring out old photos for a tripe down memory lane.
8. Keep Kids Engaged
If you have young children participating in the virtual Thanksgiving, include activities to keep them entertained. Set up a craft session where you can provide colouring sheets that they can complete during the call or even make Thanksgiving-themed decorations.
9. Share a Virtual Toast
Raise a glass, whether with cider, wine, or a non-alcoholic option and make a toast to health, happiness and gratitude. This shared moment can be surprisingly memorable and touching.
10. Send Care Packages
To add a more personal touch, consider sending small care packages to your virtual Thanksgiving guesys ahead of time. These could include:
- Small treats such as chocolate or cookies.
- A handwritten note expressing your gratitude.
- Thanksgiving-themed items such as ornaments, candles, or napkins.
11. Wrap Up with Gratitude
End your virtual Thanksgiving on a high note by expressing gratitude for everyone's participation. Acknowledge the effort that everyone put into making the day special and be sure to remind them how much they mean to you.
12. Record the Event
Capture the magic by recording the virtual Thanksgiving. Be sure to get the consent of everyone before you record. This video can be a keepsake to cherish and look back on.
Tips for Success
- Encourage Interaction: Foster group participation and avoid long monolohues to keep everyone engaged.
- Practice Patience: Virtual events can come with technical difficulties and glitches. Be patient and have a backup plan for issues such as audio problems and dropped calls.
- Keep It Short: While in-person gatherings can last hours, virtual events work best when they are kept short, 1 - 2 hours would be perfect!
Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving may not replicate the warmth of shared plates and in-person hugs, but it can offer a meaningful way to connect when being together physically is not possible.
With a little creativity and thoughtful planning, you can create a Thanksgiving celebration that is just as memorable and heartfelt.
Remember, the essence of Thanksgiving is connection and gratitude. Whether you are savoring a shared recipe, enjoying the sight of familiar faces, or sharing laughter through a screen, the bonds of friendship and love remain as strong as ever.
Happy Virtual Thanksgiving!
Welcome to Admin Junkies