Back in March, I truly couldn’t have imagined that we would still be navigating the COVID crisis to this extent as we approach the holiday season but, here we are, trying hard to figure out the best ways to celebrate with those we love and also keeping one another safe. It’s a tightrope that is aided by technology, you can also schedule time to do an online call with people instead of meeting in person.

For smaller gatherings, maybe you skip making the BIG turkey this year in lieu of a turkey breast or branch out to something else, like deer, lamb, or oysters. You may discover a new family favorite in the process.

If you are getting together, consider dining al fresco! In Arkansas it might still be warm enough to create a festive outdoor gatherings.

Today, I’m setting up for a Friendsgiving-- that’s where a small group of friends gather and share a potluck style meal. This is ideal if you have been in a quarantine circle during this pandemic and it’s a perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon or evening after Thanksgiving.

For this setting I’m creating two tall cylinder vase centerpieces. I start with wet foam and place that in the bottom of the vase, top add taper candles, top with Spanish moss, and add in embellishments like green moss, greenery, and hypericum berries or other shrubby stem blooms.

I love to use real china outdoors, but in this setting maybe not my fine china— here I’ve got our everyday white plates topped with a fun holiday themed salad plate and a flour sack napkin. Honestly, this is a practical way to entertain because of the sustainability factor.

Now it could get chilly so you might consider adding some warm throws to the chairs and a nearby firepit with a warm beverage station.

For the warm beverage station I used an old family favorite that I modify with what I have on hand. Here’s a basic recipe that you can make your own:

2 parts sweet tea
1 part cranberry juice
.5 part orange juice
2 parts apple cider (and I’ve used just apple juice, but cider is always so great)
Depending on how spicy you want it, I use cinnamon sticks, whole allspice, and whole cloves. You could also throw in some peppercorns if you really want it to have a little bite.

I just simmer all this on a stove for about half an hour and then transport it into a container, straining the spices through a sieve.

Friendsgiving is a great opportunity to take your leftover turkey and create a casserole-- and y’all know I’m no chef, but I made a great turkey casserole recently and I wanted to share it here.

So to sum it up-- keep it small, reach out to others using technology, and if you have a circle of people you’ve stayed close to during COVID-19 consider a Friendsgiving or outdoor celebration this year. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

Thanksgiving 2020