Your Guide to Thanksgiving in 2020
If there is one thing about this year, it’s that everything that we expected has consistently needed to be adapted to the “new normal”. Thanksgiving, a holiday where we have a long weekend to travel home, gather with family and friends, enjoy a home cooked meal, and watch football, wasn’t spared from adaptations.
If you can’t travel this year, are planning a smaller dinner (private gatherings are limited to ten people!), or are facing a table where everyone has a different political view, we’ve got suggestions for how to enjoy the long weekend and give thanks.
Brush up on Thanksgiving history
The football game hasn’t started, but you’re tired of talking politics, pandemic, and family drama. How about sharing the history behind the day that brings Americans together with friends and family? Thanksgiving wasn’t always about football, and purchasing the provisions for dinner wasn’t always so easy. From ancient times, Native Americans celebrated bountiful harvests with large feasts and celebrations. In 1621, after years of scarcity, the Pilgrims celebrated as well, but with their traditions. Today’s Thanksgiving is a blend of the two. The history is explained on the Plimoth Plantation website.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Cooking a full Thanksgiving spread for 10 might be harder than cooking for 20 -prepping all the sides and roasting the turkey will take just as much time, and if you’re like many young professionals working from home, the work day is longer on your couch than in your office.
Fresh City Kitchen - no doubt you’ve enjoyed their catering (at our Networking Lunches!) and fast casual locations - has reinvented themselves to offer a new meal delivery option with a new menu each month and no subscription commitments.
This month, in addition to the menu options - ranging from cravings to classics - there’s a Thanksgiving Spread that is delivered to you and ready to heat up in your oven. Gone are your worries of how to cook a turkey - leave it to the professionals.
We think this is something everyone will be thankful for - your dinner duty just got easier (and lets face it, tastier), while supporting a local business.
Another way to support local: If you’re traveling for the holiday and need to self quarantine for two weeks, order ready to eat meals to be left on your door step, or plan ahead for Thanksgiving leftovers ;)
You’re going to need more wine
Hosting dinner but have no idea what wine goes best with turkey, sweet potatoes, and green bean casarole? BostonYPA Member Melissa Yakimowsky is studying to be a sommelier, so nothing would make her happier than the chance to recommend the perfect wines for your dinner, or every day wines to expand your palate.
Family gatherings can bring up awkward questions and political debates - and with a smaller crowd, you’ll have less opportunities to hide. Start things off on a positive note with a hostess gift for whomever cooked (or ordered) your Thanksgiving dinner. The Thanksgiving Dinner Set has four bottles to appease anyone’s taste, for under S100.
Catch an Art or Museum Exhibit
New England has no shortage of museums, and with their spacious interiors and reduced capacities, travelers may welcome these indoor options. Peek into American history, or explore modern exhibits. Not looking to get out of the house? Many museums are also offering virtual exhibits.
PLIMOTH PLANTATION: Indoor and outdoor activities, Plymouth, MA https://www.plimoth.org/
NORMAN ROCKWELL: IMAGINING FREEDOM, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, www.nrm.org
TEA TALKS: Virtual Exhibit for all ages, Boston Team Party Museum, Boston, https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/virtual-museum
KISSING THROUGH A CURTAIN. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams, www.massmoca.org
IN AND OUT OF LOVE (BUTTERFLY PAINTINGS AND ASHTRAYS), Yale Center for Britsh Art, New Haven, britshart.yale.edu
TRANSCENDENTAL MODERNISM and VISIONARY NEW ENGLAND. Lincoln, thetrustees.org/place/decordova
ROBERT FRANK: THE AMERICANS. Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, addison.andover.edu
MYTH MAKERS: THE ART OF WINSLOW HOMER AND FREDERIC REMINGTON Portland Museum of Art, Portland, www.portlandmuseum.org
Ahead on The Boston Young Professional Guide:
November 17th we’ll celebrate National Take a Hike Day with links to our favorite trails, safety tips, and gear recommendations.
November 28th is Small Business Saturday. Our post will be dedicated to telling you what our Members are up to for Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Shopping local is critical this year, so check back to see how you can support your community.
December 4th is National Bartender Day, so we’ve reached out to the teams at our favorite venues to get recipes you can make at home while we wait to visit them again.
