Your Family Will Adore These Thanksgiving Traditions

There are a few essentials for every Thanksgiving celebration: family, friends, festive tunes, a few bottles of wine, tasty cocktails, an even tastier menu, pie... and more pie. Beyond that, well, it's up to you. Over the years, your family has probably developed some beloved traditions associated with Turkey Day, from the food you serve for Thanksgiving dinner (hello, grandma's famous gravy recipe) to what you do pre- and post-feast (watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in bed, break out a good book or challenging jigsaw puzzle, or maybe even play a mid-afternoon game of football).

This year's festivities, though, are bound to look a little different in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. Yes, you might have to skip a few of your oldest traditions, but that also makes it the perfect time to add a few activities that you haven't done over and over again. Ahead, we've compiled a list of our favorite modern Thanksgiving traditions—and not all are about food: kick off the day with a turkey trot (or, if you're like us, a Bloody Mary bar), host a post-dinner virtual game night or movie marathon, take a group photo in matching, holiday-themed pajamas, make DIY place cards and other decorations with thoughtful inscriptions, set up a video call with your furthest flung loved ones, and much more.

Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving with friends, as a family, or just as a couple, all of these ideas for Thanksgiving traditions celebrated across the country are sure to make you count your blessings and feel more grateful than ever.