Downsizing for Thanksgiving: Enjoying Your Home With COVID Restrictions
Nothing about 2020 has been traditional. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended most of our normal routines. Many now attend work and go to school from home. When we leave our homes, not only do we check that we have our keys and phones, but now our masks. We will also probably spend the rest of our lives making sure we have an ample supply of toilet paper. 2020 also operated according to unexpected logic in the real estate market. At the onset of the pandemic, many expected the housing market to crash. However, real estate defied all expectations and new home sales have boomed. New homeowners are now headed into the holidays in very abnormal circumstances. Instead of breaking in your new home, by hosting big gatherings with family and friends, we are now encouraged to have smaller gatherings. Even though things are different, we can still have great holidays in spite of restrictions in Massachusetts.
The team at Streamline Realty is here to talk about some of the ways that the holidays will be different because of COVID-19 restrictions, but also about how we can make the best of it! We firmly believe that just because things have to be different, it doesn’t mean that they cannot be enjoyable. We have some tips for you to have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay safe at the same time. If you wanna skip past the reminder on restrictions and to the good stuff, click here.
COVID-19 Restrictions in Massachusetts
Many of us are tired of the daily disruptions that have been brought by the pandemic and wish we could be done with it. Unfortunately, the pandemic is not done with us. By all measures, the pandemic is now worse than it has been at any point in the year and it’s even getting worse in Massachusetts. In order to limit the spread of the virus, the state has issued a number of mandates that will impact the way we celebrate the holidays. The main restriction imposed by the state is on the number of people who are allowed to gather. Right now, gatherings are limited to 10 people and will be enforced through fines. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Department of Health has released a set of safety guidelines to be used to prevent further spread.
Massachusetts Department of Health Safety Guidelines
These guidelines were created because most recent transmission has occurred through small gatherings of friends and family, according to Governor Baker. The safety guidelines that have been released cover everything from who should attend Thanksgiving meals to how things should be served. We want to break down some of these suggestions from public health officials, so that you have everything you can be safe.
Vulnerable Individuals Should Avoid Gatherings
The guidelines recommend that older individuals and people with other compromising medical conditions avoid Thanksgiving gatherings altogether. In addition, anyone who is displaying symptoms, is already under quarantine, or is awaiting test results should skip out on festivities.
For many, this recommendation seems unfathomable. The idea of spending an important holiday away from the ones we love is heart wrenching. However, there are workarounds to make sure we still get to be with the people we love. One idea is to apply what we have learned about working and schooling from home. Instead of risking the ones we love the most by having them in-person, we can be together through video conferencing. Many have been doing this since the start of the pandemic and orchestrating Zoom happy hours with their friends and family. This allows you to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family all over the country. As a bonus, you now have a mute button in case one of your relatives gets a little too inappropriate at dinner.
Avoid Close Contact and Touching
Even though you will be spending Thanksgiving with your closest of friends and family, social distancing should still be observed. Avoid hand-shaking and hugging, as well as singing and yelling. If possible, it is also best to eat at a number of smaller tables spread throughout the house instead of at a single large table. This avoids trying to speak loudly and cuts down on the number of people in a small vicinity. To cut down on the risk of transmission, windows and doors should be open. The more ventilation, the better. It’s a great opportunity to get some use out of the fireplace and for everyone to show off their best (or worst) holiday sweaters.
Wear Masks and Wash Hands Frequently
Some of the best things we can do to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during Thanksgiving are the same things we do everyday. When you are not eating or drinking it is best to wear a mask. Also, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds frequently. Honestly, there is no downside to encouraging your guests to wash their hands. If anything, this is certainly a practice that we should all carry with us long after the pandemic ends. It is hard to argue that good hygiene is a bad thing.
Avoid Family-Style Eating With Your Family
For most, Thanksgiving is all about the meal. This year, the DPH recommends that we change how it is normally done to make sure we all stay safe. Meals should not be served family-style or in a buffet. As much as possible, individual servings should be given to everyone. Also, nobody should share utensils, plates, or drinkware. Single-use items, such as utensils, condiments, salad dressings, or food containers are also preferred. One possible approach that greatly reduces the risk associated with having a meal is having each household bring their own meal. If you do decide to make one big meal, make sure that you designate one person to do all of the serving. Also, make sure that person wears a mask.
If you want to skip all of these precautions when it comes to meal preparation, you can order your meal from one of our local restaurants. Let’s face it, making a large Thanksgiving meal takes a long time and is exhausting. It is also a great way to support our local businesses. The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy by this pandemic. Thanksgiving can be the perfect time to support these small businesses and give thanks to them for sticking it out through these tough times.
So Where Does the Fun Start?
Depending on how big your family thanksgiving’s are normally, not only can this be an untraditional way to spend the holiday, but it can also be a little easier on the pocketbook. Cooking for 10 people or less vs the usual 20+ can come with a significant decrease in cost. Plus, you don’t have to share your vino and vodka with your old crazy uncle this year.
Speaking of drinking, Thanksgiving Eve is traditionally the biggest drinking night of the year. If you have a favorite local bar or eatery, get out there and support them! Many restaurants and bars are sitting on a ton of inventory they just cannot move, and with Governor Baker’s approval for to-go cocktails during our state-of-emergency, you can still pick up your grab a couple pre-thanksgiving meals and your favorite cocktails from your local pubs. It will give those folks something to feel grateful for this season too!
Single Serve Turkey? Is that even a thing?
It certainly can be and, ya know what, it might even be a better thing. With shorter cook times, that still yield tasty results, why not give turkey legs a shot this year? It will free up some much needed oven space while keeping the germ spreading at bay.
These Braised Turkey legs have a whopping 15-20 minutes of prep/cook time and are filled with that wonderful flavor and smell of Thanksgiving we have all come to love.
Or for those looking for more of that roasted turkey smell and flavor, fear not, there is a Turkey Leg just for you and your family! It has that big lead up, with a prep time of 8 hours and cook time of 2 hours, providing that same thanksgiving build up, but in single-serving size.
Not only will you be eagerly anticipating these bad boys for over 10 hours, BUT you will have that smell of turkey roasting in your home that is sure to last the day.
And with the fierce popularity of the instapot, why not completely free up the oven and instapot some delicious ole turkey legs. Not only is it made with America’s latest must-have kitchen gadget, it’s Whole30, Paleo, Keto and Gluten Free, making it perfect for the folks that are dieting for their medical or personal health.
This recipe has a prep time of 10 minutes with a short 30 minute cook time, ensuring your turkey is ready just in time for your famous raviolis to be ready.
Find this recipe at Whole Kitchen Sink.
For those who just wanna go slightly less traditional and have some lobster or other seafood, Falmouth Fish Market is offering a fresh selection of seafood with a curbside pickup option.
Don’t Even Feel Like Cooking? No Big Deal.
There are ample local restaurants eager to safely cater to your family this year. Here is a list of eateries that was compiled by Mass Live, here.
Looking for more menu options than they have, here are a few of our favorites.
La Familia has everything from turkey, to Salmon and even Ravioli plates they are offering to cater and all meet that looming requirement of single serve. Get your orders in here, and make sure there is something for everyone.
Are you someone who is looking to ensure you have quality in your ingredients this year? Mass’s own Little Shop of Oils is offering a great selection of Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegar and Gourmet Foods as always and they even have a curbside pick up option.
Their website is also packed with mouth-watering dinner ideas that all sound delicious.
For more information on how you can support this local business and get your order in for pre-Thanksgiving pickup, visit their website here.
Or for those who have a yearning desire to give thanks AND give back, Lombardo’s is doing a great thing. Donate $10 and you can feed some of our elderly community with some quality thanksgiving feast plates.
No, We Didn’t Forget the Sides
Garlic is one of America’s leading food ingredients but more importantly it’s proven to help in fighting viruses and combating sickness. Sure, it might not be proven to slow or help with Covid-19 but that shouldn’t stop us from over indulging in it this year. And Julia Childs Garlic Mash are here to help us do just that.
Make your bread simple this year with the Parmesan Rosettes, suggested by Better Homes and Gardens
It’s cold out and a good stew is not only medicine for the soul, but it can also be a common immune booster. This Colombian Chicken Sancocho might just be the perfect new tradition for your family.
How do you make your giant batch of Oyster Stuffing for just 10 people? Here is a recipe for just 6 folks! It should be the perfect batch for our smaller gatherings this year. Find this recipe, here.
Or this sweet potato casserole recipe that’s perfect for just two!
Final Thoughts
The pandemic is preventing us from having the large Thanksgiving gatherings that many of us are accustomed to. However, with some adaptability and innovation, we can still celebrate this holiday with the people we love the most. Streamline Realty is a family business, so we know how important being with your family is to all of you. Just because it might look different this year, it doesn’t mean that it’s any less special.
Caring for your family and loving them means that you are looking out for their health and wellbeing. Let us do everything we can as families and as communities to make sure that we all get through Thanksgiving healthy and happy. That way, we can all be around to enjoy the types of Thanksgivings we are used to and tell stories about the way we switched things up in 2020 while still keeping the magic alive. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the team at Streamline Realty! Be safe and enjoy your holiday, no matter what it looks like.
