How to have a COVID-safe Thanksgiving as a college student

Thanksgiving is only a week away, but might look a lot different this year. Whether you’re staying on campus with a roommate, live alone, or are heading home for the holiday, here are some fun and creative ways to have a pandemic proof thanksgiving.

Living alone: Virtual Cook-Off

Having a lighthearted competition with family and friends can be the perfect way to spend your Thanksgiving. Choose a dish that everyone can make (stuffing, mashed potatoes, and chocolate chip cookies are good choices), set a time, and go off to the stovetops! If you want to take this a step further, you can designate someone as a judge, create categories like “craziest design”, and really go all in, Chef Ramsey style. If you want to invite even more people, try asking the subreddit r/cooking - there’s an avid community of chefs and cooks who would love to participate and interact with you.

Heading home for the holidays: Outdoor Adventure

Weather permitting, the CDC recommends that Thanksgiving meals should be held outside this year. This might stop you from watching the football game while eating, but opens up the possibilities of what you can do with some decent space outdoors. Ever had a family photo scavenger hunt? You can also do pumpkin carving, charades, karaoke - the possibilities are endless. Of course, remember to still socially distance and wear masks when not eating. 

Hanging with roommates: Quarantine and Chill

If you and your roommate are staying on campus this Thanksgiving, think about holding your own solo celebration. If you have a Netflix series that you both adore, or want to watch the Macy’s parade online, you have the backdrop for the perfect bonding moment. Also, don’t feel obligated to cook - Uber Eats and Grubhub Thanksgivings are valid options, and this Thanksgiving should be stress-free for you both.

For everyone: spice up the table with custom cups, plates, and utensils

Bring your own sense of flair to Thanksgiving by using your own cups, plates, and utensils. There’s a lot of room to be creative in your choices, so feel free to really tap into your sense of style. Showing off your Thanksgiving meal on a metallic purple plate is aesthetic goals, and printing or drawing a design for a paper cup helps it go from basic to badass. Check out Party City and Amazon, who can help you find the cutlery of your dreams. 

These are just a few ways that you can keep COVID at bay while celebrating and giving thanks. Kora wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving, and in one month, we get to (finally) say goodbye to 2020! If you need a little extra cash this holiday, don't forget you can download Kora and get KoraCash now.

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