4 Ways to Geek Up Your Thanksgiving

This year, Thanksgiving will, one way or another, be memorable. You might as well lean into it.

Whether you’re doing it up with one or more other people in your household or if it’s just you, 2020 is the time to push boundaries when it comes to dinner or evening activities. There’s something for everyone—those of you who usually make your mashed potatoes from a freeze-dried bag and those who go all out with homemade pumpkin π.

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1. Do Good and Help Local Businesses

Find out which of your favorite local stores and restaurants are open this week and order ahead to get all of your favorites. Pick up some new comics or games for the evening (consider a shop with a Twin Cities Geek Holiday Book & Toy Drive donation box so you can give while you receive). Order a feast from one eatery, or visit multiple places to get all of your favorite sides, main courses, and desserts. Ordering from these places will help ensure they stay open so you can shop and eat more in person when we are finally able to do so safely. Plus, this way someone else gets to do the cooking for you.

2. Celebrate with America’s Dad

Hanksgiving, the Thanksgiving tradition revolving around Tom Hanks, has something for everyone, and it’s easy to celebrate this holiday over Zoom with friends and family. You could even have each person dress up as a different Tom Hanks character for the dinner! Serious Eats has a ton of ideas for dishes from various movies, décor if you’re hosting at home with your household, and all the puns you’ll need to have a good time. Bonus: pull out the crayons and colored pencils to occupy everyone with this Hanksgiving placemat from Decider.

Decider’s Hansgiving placement, available for download.

3. Celebrate in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Thanksgiving and Star Wars: a perfect combination. The official Star Wars website has a handful of ideas for celebrating with things like lightsaber napkin rings, a ship cornucopia, and Rebel pumpkin pie in a jar. If you’re hoping for more ideas for food, there is even a nifty quiz to suggest what you should make. (I got Porg Potatoes, which look not only adorable but incredibly simple.) You can also check out fellow Twin Cities Geek contributor K. N. Hamann’s list of 9 Ways to Eat Like the Mandalorian.

4. Create Geeky Gifts

Treat Thanksgiving as a kickoff to the winter holiday season by using it as a day to create and spend time together. Take a page from the Redwall series by Brian Jacques and make a batch of raspberry cordials that you can bottle up and distribute to friends and neighbors—the sweet drink is simple to make and can be mixed into a variety of other beverages. These simple dip mix ornaments from Sprinklel Some Fun are simple and cute and can count as a small gift or be used as a gift topper. Something else that is heartfelt, crafty, and so simple is the Mailable hug, which you can simplify even more by using just a pillowcase for easier shipping. And it’s not just for kids; anyone that you miss that you are unable to see in person this year would truly appreciate this gift.

No matter what you decide to do this year, I hope you stay safe and stay healthy. Happy holidays!