Thanksgiving 2020 Plans - A Poll (1 Viewer)

[Angry Beavers]

With my wife's sisters and parents and all the kids we are 16  - We have hosted every year. I do a deep fried turkey etc.

I was advocating for all to stay home so my wife texts her sisters and parents....... them my MIL says well that is ok  - everyone can come over here and I will cook (A) - her cooking is pretty bland (B) - she completely missed the point of my wife's group text...and both sisters chime in ....GREAT  -  LMK what to bring .......

My wife's parents.. while both in good health are old enough that if they get sick it will not be pretty.. not to mention by one BIL is pretty heavy and the the other's sisters family is health issues waiting to happen.............  My wife of course is not going to be excluded if the rest of her family is getting together...........

so we are back to hosting

 

[ChiefD]

We are staying home with just our boys. Seeing as how neither my wife or I have ever cooked a Thanksgiving meal and she is... challenged... in the kitchen, it promises be a grim day for which I’ll still be thankful. 
 

I’m going to attempt the buttermilk brined turkey in the Times today. 

You'll be fine. Turkey is easy to cook, and just make sure you have the basics:

Mashed potatoes -  easy to make

Green beens - easy to make

Corn - just buy the frozen corn and heat up

Dinner rolls - buy at store

Pumpkin pie - buy at store

Gravy - this is the toughie. Try and make it yourself from turkey drippings, but buy the premade packs at the store as a back up

Cranberry sauce - just buy it in the deli section at the store.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

my MIL is currently living with us - and we typically have my BIL and his daughter (niece) over for the long weekend.

BIL is a big "no-mask freedom" guy and I don't think has been particularly careful around people.  

I am a little leery and will express that to my wife - but there is little chance this isn't happening ...

 

[Binky The Doormat]

We are staying home with just our boys. Seeing as how neither my wife or I have ever cooked a Thanksgiving meal and she is... challenged... in the kitchen, it promises be a grim day for which I’ll still be thankful. 
 

I’m going to attempt the buttermilk brined turkey in the Times today. 

You'll be fine. Turkey is easy to cook, and just make sure you have the basics:

Mashed potatoes -  easy to make

Green beens - easy to make

Corn - just buy the frozen corn and heat up

Dinner rolls - buy at store

Pumpkin pie - buy at store

Gravy - this is the toughie. Try and make it yourself from turkey drippings, but buy the premade packs at the store as a back up

Cranberry sauce - just buy it in the deli section at the store.

great suggestions - if you want to jazz it up, while still keeping it easy to do, I would suggest these two upgrades

bacon wrapped green beans - super easy and can get the boys to help (get the whole green beans)

sweet potato casserole - damn near like dessert ...awesome

both can be made and cooked in the last hour ...or even made ahead and just heated up.

 

[TheFanatic]

We just had this conversation tonight. We host Thanksgiving. My folks, her folks, my sister, her three brothers, their wives and each of them have 2 kids. There are two aunts that sometimes come. They sometimes go out of town. This year, my wife wants to do just the 6 of us (we have four kids). I ordered an 18 pound turkey on Wed. No chemicals, free range, and brined by a chef that used to teach for L'ecole Culinaire. Best damn turkey I've ever had. Costs me about $120. Smallest I could get was 18 lbs. 

When we get together, there is a distinct limit on physical contact. No handshakes. No hugs except for maybe the littlest of the kids and their grandparents. There is no way to put everyone six feet apart at the table when we eat. I want to proceed as normal. My wife wants to lock it down. I don't get it. The wife and I go to restaurants a couple times a month. All but three of the people that would be here work from home. I'm so sick of Covid. 

 

[TheFanatic]

Oh, and the plan is that amazing turkey and a spiral sliced ham, all cooked on a smoker. 

 

[Kal El]

We're going to my in-laws, and my wife's sister and her family will be there, but that's it. It'll be 12 people, but we'll be by ourselves, honestly.

 

[[icon]]

GF and I are Flying down to my folks' for a week starting next Saturday. My brother, his wife, and my two nieces will be driving over on Thursday. All staying with my folks.

Parents and Brother had COVID in October and thankfully made it through relatively unscathed.

We are locking down starting today (8 days prior to flying) and getting a rapid test the day before we fly. Requested my SIL and the nieces lock down as well (as much as possible). Total of 9 of us. 

Folks have a few neighbors (who are being cautious mostly) they hang with who will likely drop in, and I'm sure we will hit some outdoor/beach dining spots for food/beers while in town (taking precautions as usual). 

 

[culdeus]

GF and I are Flying down to my folks' for a week starting next Saturday. My brother, his wife, and my two nieces will be driving over on Thursday. All staying with my folks.

Parents and Brother had COVID in October and thankfully made it through relatively unscathed.

We are locking down starting today (8 days prior to flying) and getting a rapid test the day before we fly. Requested my SIL and the nieces lock down as well (as much as possible). Total of 9 of us. 

Folks have a few neighbors (who are being cautious mostly) they hang with who will likely drop in, and I'm sure we will hit some outdoor/beach dining spots for food/beers while in town (taking precautions as usual). 

I mean the flight thing seems the weak link.  

 

[jvdesigns2002]

For those of whom might be interested.   Something to consider getting are air purifiers with hepa filters.  I personally got 6 of this particular model (3 the shop that I manage and 3 for my house).   I purposely went for ordering multiple smaller units versus fewer more powerful ones as I prefer to space out multiple units (they have several different capacity units on their homepage).  These are relatively affordable, have hepa filters and uv-c santization, have timers on them--and two of the three power levels are relatively quiet.  The most powerful level is pretty loud.   In my shop--I have one in our small office area and I have two in our showroom (our showroom is only like 400-420 square feet).  Of course--nothing is truly full proof--but if you are hosting people at your homes--you might want to consider spacing a couple of these around where you are having your main gathering.   Not only can they be useful for your thanksgiving crowd--but they are obviously something that can and probably should be used regularly/daily  until things settle down.  I got mine through amazon. 

https://www.homedics.com/totalclean-5-in-1-uv-small-room-air-purifier/

 

[[icon]]

I mean the flight thing seems the weak link.  

Yep. N95 masks with gasketed safety glasses. Will look like morons but it will put the GF at ease. They look kinda like those dorky sport goggles when on... but less of a hassle than lab goggles

 

[Cjw_55106]

Just my wife and I and three kids this year.

Traditionally we go to my mom’s where there are about 15 people and then later in the day we go to my in-laws where there are 30+

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Yep. N95 masks with gasketed safety glasses. Will look like morons but it will put the GF at ease. They look kinda like those dorky sport goggles when on... but less of a hassle than lab goggles

DEVO HOLIDAY!!!

btw ...your link just goes to the first post ...kind of a let down, so I just had to use my imagination

 

[FairWarning]

My wife and I are staying home for Thanksgiving and all holidays/birthdays for the foreseeable future.

Same here.  I am a caregiver and cannot risk it.  

 

[Tom Servo]

We were going to go to Ohio like usual for the day, but then I tested positive for the Kung Fu Flu today. 
 

Thus, it will be a quiet Thanksgiving at home. 

 

[Dan Lambskin]

By now??  I have been immune for many years.  I don`t really get excited for a win, but I don`t get mad for a loss either. You have to realize they have 1 playoff win in 63 years and that was 30 years ago,  never have been to a SuperBowl.

  My daughters are now saying "Same Old Lions" and they are in their 20s.  I told them it probably won`t be in my lifetime but hopefully they will somehow turn things around in your lifetime.

Right now with Stafford getting older, the coach and GM probably getting fired after the season but you never know with the Ford family.  Lions are looking at another total rebuild.

MY BIL lives on Lake Winnabago, I have have been to GB for big games.  We never have those.

Yeah watching them is  just something to do and usually laugh about their misfortunes later

I think I severed all emotional attachment when they had Kitna and they started 7-1 or 6-2 and then managed to miss the playoffs 

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Yeah watching them is  just something to do and usually laugh about their misfortunes later

I think I severed all emotional attachment when they had Kitna and they started 7-1 or 6-2 and then managed to miss the playoffs 

I also always bet the over every year so I can just cheer when anyone scores

 

[Ilov80s]

My usual Thanksgiving was my wife and I would meet our 2 best friends (another married couple) at their house around 1:00 (they did a Thanksgiving brunch at a restaurant with family and then had everyone back to their place) for drinks and Lions. There would usually be 7-10 of their family members at their house for this. Then we would go to my cousin's for my family dinner with about 10 of my family members. 

This year, my wife and I are going to my parents for brunch. It will just be the 4 of us. Even then, we will keep a bit of distance. My parents have an open concept home and they are going to eat in the dining room and my wife and I will be in the living room. It's basically one big room but we will be 10 feet or so away.

 

[Vegas Trip]

We have one for each side of the family on Thanksgiving and then the following Saturday.  Usually also get together with High School friends on Wednesday and get together with friends for a Turkey Bowl / Friendsgiving on Friday.  Will be doing none of it this year and staying home.  We will try to make the best of it and use the time we're usually travelling to do some prep and cooking as a family.  I just ordered a 30QT turkey fry pot and we will be having our first ever deep fried turkey.  I'll follow proper safety precautions and may even try to set up something like Alton Brown's ladder turkey drop rig.  Will search around for some recipes for things we can try making at home, any suggestions?

 

[The Z Machine]

COVID is even worse now than when I started this thread.  It's going to be a poop show across this country on Turkey Day.

I think we are hosting, but have moved it outdoors.  Hopefully it's not 40 degrees out.

 

[General Malaise]

Cancelled our plans after Oregon's gov came out with new restrictions.  Dad and sister are not happy, but they will get over it.  Gotta do our part to fight this thing back.

 

[Angry Beavers]

With my wife's sisters and parents and all the kids we are 16  - We have hosted every year. I do a deep fried turkey etc.

I was advocating for all to stay home so my wife texts her sisters and parents....... them my MIL says well that is ok  - everyone can come over here and I will cook (A) - her cooking is pretty bland (B) - she completely missed the point of my wife's group text...and both sisters chime in ....GREAT  -  LMK what to bring .......

My wife's parents.. while both in good health are old enough that if they get sick it will not be pretty.. not to mention by one BIL is pretty heavy and the the other's sisters family is health issues waiting to happen.............  My wife of course is not going to be excluded if the rest of her family is getting together...........

so we are back to hosting

Well one sister came to her senses, and so has my MIL - of course, she needs to talk to her other daughter 1st. I would perfectly content to have a very low key Thanksgiving - besides, I am the cook so I am not missing out on anything   Hopefullly there will be 6 of us, Me and the wife, her children (2 ) + 1 live in boyfirend and my son. That is plenty of risk given that my son is home from school, her daughter and SO both work and go into a facility and her son is also out and about........

 

[Nugget]

Changing my vote from small, family gathering to turkey sandwiches and movies with my kids.

 

[JaxBill]

2020 : Just my wife and our two grown sons. Will do small turkey on smoker with gravy pan underneath .  Wife will do sides like broccoli bake, sweet potato casserole, stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce. First course will be fruit salad with sherbert. We'll buy dinner rolls and forget to heat them up. Wife will fuss about the pie she made (apple? pecan?) but it will be ridiculously good.

2019 - see above

2018 - see above but substitute college age sons for adult sons 

2017 - see above but MIL was living in town then

Basically the rest of our families live out of state and wife HATES to travel for Thanksgiving 

 

[Brony]

great suggestions - if you want to jazz it up, while still keeping it easy to do, I would suggest these two upgrades

bacon wrapped green beans - super easy and can get the boys to help (get the whole green beans)

sweet potato casserole - damn near like dessert ...awesome

both can be made and cooked in the last hour ...or even made ahead and just heated up.

That sweet potato dish rules and I don't even like sweet potatoes. 

 

[DallasDMac]

Voted "other" because there was really no "no visitors at all" option. It is going to be just the wife and I.

 

[Osaurus]

Voted "other" because there was really no "no visitors at all" option. It is going to be just the wife and I.

 

[SlaX]

I'm expecting a get together of myself, my wife and my kids.  We'll probably all 4 be in the same room at the same time at least once during the day.  Maybe not.  I could be wrong.  Both my wife and I both work Thanksgiving, so there's a chance we don't see each other all day.  

 

[culdeus]

Doing a mix of outdoor stuff with smaller groups, then following up with tested family that has quarantined indoors.  

I mean I feel safe.

 

[pollardsvision]

Largely the same as every year. Pretty much nothing. I always have to work some on Thanksgiving, and all the days around it.

Wife's family always does a small thing on Saturday while I'm working. They are doing that again this year. I like them all a lot, but my taste in T-Day foods vary widely from theirs, so missing it is not something that's ever bothered me. 

If my niece is around Thursday and wants to help whip up some stuff, I might smoke turkey breast and do that. If not, I'm perfectly content to treat T-Day as a normal day with a few extra beers and a couple terrible football games. 

 

[ghostguy123]

Thanksgiving and Christmas parties mostly indoors throughout the country due to cold weather.  What could go wrong?  We may have 300k new cases per day by the new year.  Oh yeah, new years parties.  Shoot.  Maybe 400k new cases per day by mid January. 

That said, F it.  We are having some family over indoors.  

 

[FUBAR]

Going to the sister in law's home, there will be 16 of us there. 

If it were entirely up to me, we'd stay home.

Change of plans. 

We'll get together with our adopted / local family instead of blood relatives this year.

 

[FUBAR]

Voted "other" because there was really no "no visitors at all" option. It is going to be just the wife and I.

:Jealous:

 

[Jackstraw]

Just household. I'm frying a turkey on Wednesday and taking that and pie to both our parents. 

We are disregarding the traditional meal altogether on Thanksgiving. Meatball sandwiches, italian salad, fried potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, antipasto plate. And pie like regular thanksgiving. We are not animals.    

Numerous people at my work who had planned larger gatherings seem to be breaking late towards household only.  

Just really time to suck it up in my opinion. And by sucking it up I mean golfing four days in a row, bonfire at night, drinking near constantly and eating everything in site. Maybe shoot some clays early in the day. For my country. 

 

[jamny]

We head to NY tomorrow to have dinner at my MiL. Only other person is my BiL. We got tested on Sunday but we are flying in, so no guarantee we don't pick up the virus on the trip. Personally, I've objected to going since MiL would probably not survive if she got it, but I'm not going to fight it. It's normally not a fun time even before the virus. Picture Tony Soprano's mom and you'll have an idea why. Yay!

 

[The Commish]

Other - Just immediate family, hosting no one else.

Normally host 5-6 other family members.

 

[ChiefD]

As of today, we are planning to drive to north Chicago to visit my brother and his family. 5 of us and 4 of them.

Both of our families have been as cautious as possible, but as we know that doesn't really matter.  Just like anything else we'll be as careful as we can, and if anyone from either family shows any symptoms leading up we'll cancel immediately. 

Still planning the above and driving up tomorrow.  I'll be honest though - this decision has just torn me up inside.  No matter what the decision is it becomes the wrong one depending on what side you are on.

The anxious one in me says stay home and bunkers inside for the rest of the winter. This decision affects the mental health of me, my wife, and my kids, who are desperate to see their cousins and just get away from here.

The cautious one in me says to go because you have been conservative when going out and have been wearing mass since the beginning, and my brother's family has done the same. So risks are small. But this decision rings hollow to other folks who scream out "YOU NEED TO STAY HOME!!!"

The rationalization side of me says: "this is no more risky than the kids being in school this fall, on top of me having to go into work every day....and the wife going to Costco....and taking the kids to hockey practice since their protocol has been solid....." But this decision still rings hollow to other folks who scream out "YOU NEED TO STAY HOME!!!"  And it's probably less risky since if we were home the kids would still have hockey practice tomorrow and Friday.

I'm carrying a ton of guilt about both sides of this equation and it's affecting my mental health terribly right now.  

 

[Redwes25]

We cancelled our typical larger plans where we host about 25 people.  Just going to the sister in laws house with the two families and where we stay under the size guidelines for NY state which is no gatherings more then 10.  My wife and I got tested as did my Sister in Law and her husband yesterday and we started isolating late last week so should be fine.  Still a small risk but much better then the large gathering I usually host.   

 

[parasaurolophus]

What are people doing differently inside their homes? Windows open, Air purifiers, Masks, hand sanitizing stations, full body hazmat, foggers, spacing, testing, etc?

 

[The Commish]

What are people doing differently inside their homes? Windows open, Air purifiers, Masks, hand sanitizing stations, full body hazmat, foggers, spacing, testing, etc?

We aren't doing anything special.  Our windows/doors are always open when it's not 500 degrees and it's just the five of us, so we're good.

 

[Gr00vus]

Normally we host 20+ family and close friends. This year we had planned to cut that down to just my parents and my sister's family, less than 10 people (we all live within a few miles of each other, so no big travelling involved), outside with distancing. Given the spike in cases and the general advice over the last few days, we decided to cancel completely. We'll make the food and drop it off.

538 had this article yesterday. Something to think about. They provide a reference to this site at Georgia Tech (which seems to be non-functional right now). They do great tech/engineering work there, so I'm inclined to trust this. Using that it put the risk in my area for a 10 person event at about 14% chance of Covid19 exposure. If it starts working again, you might check it out for your area, maybe adjust your plans accordingly.