Thanksgiving. It has been a fraught holiday for a while. For some people, it is a holiday about family and love; whereas, for others, it is marked by political arguments we'd rather not have. For some, it brings us together as Americans; for others, it marks our nation's troubled past of settler colonialism. For some, it is a time to be grateful for the important things in life; for others, it is a time to buy, buy, buy on those Black Friday sales. This year, the idea of physically gathering together, during a pandemic, marks Thanksgiving as an especially troubled holiday. Some proceeded with their Thanksgiving plans unaltered, but many shifted our typical activities in some way.

In the background of our individual decisions were the numbers: About 900,000 people passed through American airports in the seven days around Thanksgiving (just under half of 2019 travel numbers). Over 1,300 American deaths from COVID-19 were recorded on Thanksgiving Day. Within a week after Thanksgiving, the daily death numbers had doubled. Here we discuss how the pandemic shaped our Thanksgivings. –Audrey Truschke, journal curator

Cancelled Thanksgivings

My family is very close, but due to the pandemic we’re not getting together for Thanksgiving. –NA, November 25, 2020

One of my Aunts actually had to go to the hospital today (not covid related), and will most likely be staying overnight so she’ll be there for Thanksgiving. It makes me think of all the people who can’t be with their families this year, or those who have lost someone and will have an empty seat at their dinner table. My heart goes out to them and I wish them nothing but peace. 2020 has been hard, and there has been so much loss. This pandemic has taught me to be grateful for everything I have. –NA, November 25, 2020

We have cancelled our thanksgiving plans.  There will be one non-resident in our house on thanksgiving for 4 total.  I get that you have the choice to have a big thanksgiving but don’t.  Visit a dr’s office, you’ll see why. –David, November 19, 2020

Different Thanksgivings

My family has decided to do a backyard fire Thanksgiving, since not everyone is in the same quarantine bubble. –Dominic Putko, November 5, 2020

I went to my parents' house for a post-meal backyard Thanksgiving campfire.  An outdoor activity like a campfire was the only way for us ALL to get together safely.  We also kept our masks on, despite being outside, as an extra precaution.  Thankfully, the weather fully cooperated –Dominic Putko, November 26, 2020

Thanksgiving this year is different from usual. My family usually goes out to a restaurant but that absolutely was not happening. So my sister cooked her first full Thanksgiving dinner for all of us. We all put on nice outfits as if we were going out just to make the day feel a little more special. –Steph, November 26, 2020

Unchanged Thanksgivings

Thanksgiving was thanksgiving, –Nemo, November 26, 2020

I look forward to Thanksgiving every year just so that I can get a taste of those deviled eggs. Luckily for me, COVID-19 did not affect my Thanksgiving plans. –Kenneth, November 28, 2020

It's Thanksgiving day! I woke up and got ready for the dinner that I was invited to. I was going to attend the thanksgiving dinner that my aunt was hosting...Altogether it was an excellent thanksgiving day. I was glad that I spent time with my family. Some of them, I haven't seen for a year. –Can, November 26, 2020

The news is full of how Thanksgiving is different for so many people -- Fewer people are traveling but still an absurd number, family meals outdoors, anger at restrictions, and more. For my family, little was different this year. We did Thanksgiving at home, myself, my partner, and our 3 children. –AT, November 26, 2020

No Thanksgiving

National Native American Mourning Day or Thanksgiving? The second I woke up today I was greeted by floats and cheering crowds beginning their festivities during the Macy’s day parade celebrating…what? –A.W. November 26, 2020