Thanksgiving is traditionally a family holiday that allows you to gather with loved ones and share a holiday feast as well as reflect on the things that you are grateful for. However, college students cannot always go home for Thanksgiving. It can be impossible due to various circumstances such as finances, distance, or academic obligations. That is when spending Thanksgiving away from family can become a bittersweet experience. However, just because you can’t go home doesn’t mean that you can’t have a proper Thanksgiving celebration. In this blog post, we will share some creative, meaningful, and fun tips on how you can celebrate this holiday while staying at college.
Plan a Friendsgiving celebration
Being lonely on Thanksgiving sucks, and that’s why there is an opportunity for you to host a Friendsgiving. This is a fun, more casual, and friend-focused alternative to Thanksgiving hat will allow you to bond with your college friends.
- Organize a potluck: To keep costs and effort manageable, you can host a potluck. Ask everyone to bring dishes and drinks. Whether you choose a traditional Thanksgiving feast with staple dishes like mashed potatoes and turkey or something unique from your friends’ cultures, you will surely have fun by gathering and celebrating.
- Decorate on a budget: you can transform your dorm or apartment into a festive space with cheap decorations or fallen leaves that you find outside. Paper garlands, string lights, and candles will make the right atmosphere.
- Include games and activities: Prepare fun group activities like board games, charades, or something similar. You can also play the game of gratitude, with everyone sharing something that they are thankful for. You can also organize a movie night or karaoke evening.
Explore Virtual Options
If Friendsgiving is not your cup of tea, you can use technology to bridge the gap between you and your loved ones.
- Host a virtual dinner: Schedule a video call with your family and close friends during mealtime to eat together and chat even when you are in different locations.
- Play online games together: Classic board games can be adapted for virtual party play, using apps like Jackbox and Kahoot to bring you and your family closer.
- Create a digital gratitude list: Use a shared document or social media to write what you’re thankful for and invite your family and friends to contribute, as it is a heartwarming way to stay connected and feel appreciation at a distance.
Cook a Solo or Small-Scale Thanksgiving Feast
Missing a traditional feast that is your family’s must-have can be disappointing. However, you can consider preparing your own Thanksgiving meals, even if they’re just for you or a small group.
- Simplify the menu: Cooking a turkey is not an option here, but you can opt for smaller, easier options like turkey breasts, chicken, or vegetarian alternatives like stuffed eggplant. Pair them with sides like mashed potatoes and canned cranberry sauce. You can also use ready-made stuffing to make the process easier.
- Try new recipes: If you are ready to experiment, try new recipes or international twists on classic dishes
- Celebrate the experience: make cooking a part of the celebration itself. Play music and enjoy the process just as much as the result.
Volunteer to Help Others
Thanksgiving is the time for gratitude. It’s also one of the best times of the year to show it. Volunteering can become your favorite way to make the day feel fulfilling and purposeful.
- Serve meals at the shelter. Many local shelters and soup kitchens welcome volunteers on Thanksgiving day. If you feel lonely, help others enjoy this holiday in a rewarding way.
- Organize a food drive: you can collaborate with your friends or student organizations to collect and donate non-perishable foods to local food banks.
- Support virtually: If you can’t volunteer in person, consider donating to charity and participating in online fundraising.
Embrace Campus Life
If your college campus remains open during Thanksgiving, you can take advantage of events and celebrations hosted by the administration.
- Check the campus events: Many schools host Thanksgiving dinners or social events for students who stay for Thanksgiving on campus. These gatherings are a great way to become a part of a bigger celebration and feel less lonely. You can also benefit from attending by meeting new people and having a great time.
- Join a club activity: Campus organizations often plan holiday-themed activities like moving nights or workshops.
- Relax and recharge: Use the quieter campus atmosphere as the opportunity to recharge and get ready for the new upcoming semester. Read, eat, watch your favorite movies, and relax.
Create Your Own Traditions
Who says that every year, Thanksgiving should be like the previous one? You can start your own traditions and make these holidays as enjoyable as possible.
- Host a themed Thanksgiving: you can host your own themed party like “old movies Thanksgiving” or a Thanksgiving pajama party.”
- Watch Thanksgiving marathon: pick the classic Thanksgiving episodes of your favorite TV shows, holiday movies, or even football games to create a marathon of your own.
- Document the day: Take pictures, write in your journal, and start a gratitude scrapbook to remember this holiday meaningfully.
Incorporate Self-Care
If you feel overwhelmed when thinking about spending Thanksgiving away from home, it’s a great time to prioritize self-care and make the holiday more comfortable.
- Plan a relaxing day: sleep in, order your favorite foods, and watch feel-good movies or shows.
- Practice mindfulness: meditate, reflect on the positives and achievements of the year, or try breathing techniques.
- Plan your next semester: write down your semester goals and think through of the overall direction that you would like to take. You might want to consider an option of delegating some of the essays from the very start of the semester. We will be glad to help you.
- Treat yourself: buy something that you will enjoy, like your favorite takeout, a small gift, or a movie ticket.
Connect with Others in the Same Boat
You are not alone, as many college students face the challenge of staying on campus for Thanksgiving. Reach out and make the most out of this situation.
- Organize a group dinner: connect with classmates or mates to celebrate together and create a sense of belonging
- Explore local events: Create a group chat to discuss Thanksgiving parades, festivals, or community dinners that you and others can attend together.
- Make new friends: sometimes holidays spent together can bring you very close and create a long-lasting friendship.
Conclusion
Spending Thanksgiving away from home can be an opportunity to create a memorable holiday in your own way. Look at it as an experiment and a temporary adjustment that needs to be made. Who knows, you might create a wonderful holiday for yourself and even your own traditions. Have a happy Thanksgiving!