11 Tips For Celebrating Thanksgiving Solo, From Someone Who's Done It

When I celebrated Thanksgiving solo in 2018, one of the ways I made it special was by watching as many of my favourite holiday-themed TV episodes as possible. I watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and every Thanksgiving episode Friends had to offer, plus hilarious and heart-warming holiday-themed episodes from series like American Dad, Family Guy, Gilmore Girls, The Mindy Project, and New Girl. I highly recommend it.

Just because you can't physically be with your loved ones doesn't mean you can't connect with them on Thanksgiving. Whether you'd prefer to FaceTime, hop on a Zoom call, have a good old-fashioned phone call, or stick to texting, checking in with your loved ones is one way to make the holiday feel more "normal."

If you've already decorated for the winter holidays, good for you. If not, your solo Thanksgiving holiday might be the perfect time to do it. I decorated for Christmas when I celebrated Thanksgiving alone, and it made me so happy. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice, or all four, decorating for the holidays is guaranteed to boost your mood, and it will instantly add a level of coziness to your home. Just make sure to listen to holiday music as you decorate!

Thanksgiving is all about enjoying delicious, traditional, comfort foods (it's my favourite thing about the holiday), but food insecurity is a major problem in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the issue, and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. If you're able, consider donating to one of the many charities currently working to end hunger in the United States.

For most of my adult life, I've taken an after-dinner walk on Thanksgiving. If you live in an area where you feel comfortable walking alone — whether in the woods, at the park, or around the block — I highly recommend it. It's a great time to meditate on all the things you're thankful for, and there's a good chance you'll smell fantastic Thanksgiving dinner smells, delightful chimney smoke, or both. Just be sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

At-home pampering is a fun and healthy way to self-soothe, and it's especially fun to do while you're eating your favourite comfort foods and watching your favourite holiday-themed TV episodes and movies. Face masks, deep-conditioning hair treatments, and bath soaks are my favourite ways to pamper myself at home, but I enjoy a good mani-pedi as well. If you like painting your nails, these winter-themed nail polishes are superfestive.

Personally, I enjoy getting dressed up on Thanksgiving. I always dressed up for my grandma when she was alive, and I've kept the tradition going since she passed away. If you can relate, get dressed up this Thanksgiving, and share a picture of yourself — whether on Instagram or in a texting chain with loved ones — in your holiday best.