MY MEDALLION
Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect on everything we have in our lives. Traditionally, it is associated with a large feast where families gather together to give thanks, but sometimes taking on a non-traditional celebration can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate the holiday! For an alternative way to spend Thanksgiving, try using one of these 6 non-traditional Thanksgiving Dinner celebrations.
Choose a Theme
No one says that a themed party has to be exclusively for birthdays, so give your celebration an extra element of fun and excitement this year by sticking to a theme for Thanksgiving. Whether you choose superheroes, movies, or a masquerade, taking the classic Thanksgiving dinner and turning it into a themed party will guarantee your guests enjoy themselves.
Serve Traditional Canadian Cuisine
Canada is a mosaic of cultures so it is sometimes difficult to distinguish what foods are traditionally Canadian. For an interesting Thanksgiving dinner, try serving all traditional Canadian foods that have stood the test of time through the years. Some of your menu items could include bannock, tourtiere, and poutine for the main course with maple sugar candy, nanaimo bars, and butter tarts for desserts. Instead of having the traditional turkey, try exploring some of the foods Canada is famous for!
Volunteer
Every year at Thanksgiving those who are less fortunate seek assistance from volunteers who spend their evening serving them a meal. Create a new tradition this year while helping those in need and, instead of having turkey dinner at home, try volunteering!
Get Outside
Thanksgiving weekend is a time when fall colours are at their peak and the weather is perfect for spending time outside. If you are searching for a unique way to celebrate a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, pack a picnic and head out into the wilderness for a hike. If you’re not a big fan of hiking, find a nice park nearby and enjoy your meal at a picnic table. The fresh air will help your appetite and the fall colours will provide a beautiful backdrop for your meal.
Spoil Yourself
Traditional holidays can often leave people feeling obligated to attend family gatherings. If you are wishing you could celebrate Thanksgiving your way this year, give yourself permission to take some time and spoil yourself instead of participating in the traditional turkey dinner. Whether you pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take off on a trip you’ve always wanted to go on, spending Thanksgiving treating yourself is a perfect way to celebrate differently.
Host a Virtual Gathering
With today’s technology, connecting with relatives who live far away is simple and stress free. If you don’t really want to make a big fuss about Thanksgiving dinner or you can’t make the trip to join your family and friends, try hosting a virtual get together. Apps like Facetime and Messenger allow you to video chat with people so you can feel like you are connected with them, without the hassle of preparing for guests or travelling far. This year, try a virtual Thanksgiving celebration! It will allow you to connect with your family, but also gives you time to get things done at home.
Whether you plan a fun themed party, to relax in a spa, or volunteer this year, non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner plans can be a great way to spend the holiday. Taking a different approach to long standing traditions can be exciting and fun to try, plus it will make it a holiday weekend you won’t forget! For more ideas on non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner celebrations, visit the Medallion Blog.
