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Virtual Thanksgiving Ideas

With the latest guidance from the CDC and Governor Inslee, many of us need to rethink our holiday plans. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, you can still have fun with these ideas for a virtual get-together.

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BECU
Community Content Team
Published Nov 16, 2020 in: Spending & Shopping

Read time: 2 minutes

Dine together online

Send everyone an online invitation with your dinner time and preferred video-chat platform. Paperless post has some festive Thanksgiving-themed invites for free. Don't forget to set a spot for your computer, tablet or phone!

Don't limit yourself to dinner time

  • Brunch and Watch: Eat earlier in the day so you can get a head start on that nap or online shopping spree. Try these these classic recipes with a Thanksgiving twist. Brunch pairs well with watching the Macy's Day Parade—this year streaming from 9am-12pm local time.
  • Celebrate With Happy Hour: Choose a fall-themed drink and share the recipe with your guests. See these cocktail ideas from Delish. Mocktails more your style? Check out these recipes from Kitchen.
  • Have a Dessert Party: What is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Or is it pecan pie? Make your favorite or try something new.
  • Tailgate: Cheer for your team (indoors or outdoors). Forget about roasting a full turkey—make sliders or chili. Snack on festive treats like Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips.

Hold a Pie Eating Contest

It may sound silly, but some of the silliest ideas can be the most fun and lead to some good memories from 2020. Have your virtual attendees bake the same pie and then see who finishes theirs the fastest. And, yes, you do need to eat with your hands behind your back.

Watch a Holiday Movie

Kick back, relax and watch your favorite holiday movie with friends and family! Using Teleparty (formerly known as Netflix Party), you can invite up to 50 people to share your screen and watch a movie with you. Check out this movie guide and get in the holiday spirit.

Go Black Friday (Online) shopping together

After you have recouped from your food coma, start shopping on some of your favorite sites. Most deals go live on Thanksgiving night or earlier. Text or video-chat with your family or friends to share the deals you find and gift ideas.

We at BECU are thankful to have you as a member. Be safe and enjoy!

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BECU
Community Content Team

BECU's community content team writes about personal finance topics like budgeting, saving and building credit to help you reach your financial health goals.