Our hearts are heavy - like many of you - at navigating the upcoming holiday season amidst the uncertainty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With coronavirus numbers on the rise globally, your family may be preparing for a different kind of Thanksgiving this year - one that does not include a trip to grandma’s house, visiting extended family and friends, or hosting potluck events.

No matter the distance, Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and connection. At The Letter Project, we support women who are navigating life transitions, difficult times, challenges, and hardship. 2020 has been a year, a year we won’t soon forget. With the trials and tribulations that 2020 has brought each of us, it’s become more important to focus on the positives and to shed gratitude as often as possible.

Our community is coming together virtually on November 22 for Gals of Gratitude, The Letter Project’s version of Friendsgiving!
We see in each letter that goes out to women in our community the desire to connect and to empower each other through the hardships - the Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving spirit lives on, even when in-person gatherings are halted or limited.

Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to get into the Friendsgiving spirit and welcome your ideas in the comments of how you’re sharing the love this holiday season:

Give Thanks!
Admittedly, this can be a challenge…and that’s why it’s #1 on our list. When life is spiraling and it feels like a less-fun version of Groundhog Day, being intentional in noticing positive moments and expressing gratitude for small and big things in your day can transform your emotional outlook. We recommend a morning practice that includes listing a few (anywhere from 2-10) things that you are grateful for that day/the previous day, and we encourage you to get granular and to shine a light on the small moments.
My list today was: blueberry sugar salt for my coffee that created a FIRE new coffee combo, fresh apples from the farm, winning a random Instagram giveaway, an unexpected letter in the mail from a mentor, and finishing this blog post! The more specific to the day you can get, the better. Some recommend doing a gratitude practice in the morning and at night before you go to bed — we’ll dive deeper into the importance of gratitude at our Gals of Gratitude event next week.
Spend time in the kitchen!
My favorite part of Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving dinner….and the assortment of pies (pecan is my favorite!). What I will miss most about the typical, traditional Thanksgiving meal that my family has is pierogis, a Polish family tradition, and the bomb mashed potatoes my aunt usually makes. Spending time in the kitchen can be a great stress reliever, but it can also make this holiday season feel more “normal.” Highly recommend making a dish for you, your roommates and/or immediate family members and making a new tradition for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving.
A project I have worked on since the start of COVID-19, The Common Ingredient, features community-sourced recipes from Missourians and supports the work of 3 local nonprofits alleviating food insecurity for families during this time. I invite you to try a recipe or to submit a treasured family recipe of your own for others to try this Thanksgiving!
Host a virtual event and spread kindness.
The spirit of Thanksgiving for my family has always been coming together and truly being together. It’s often the first break of a busy semester, the first time the weather truly feels like fall/winter depending on where you are in the US and is the first time in awhile for extended family to reconnect.
You can still celebrate with your family and friends via Zoom, Skype, or Facebook. Your virtual Thanksgiving dinner can include games, virtual trivia, toasting with cocktails or mocktails, and sharing the highlights of 2020. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — although, there are many articles and Pinterest pins to draw inspiration from if that is more your style — and can incorporate your family traditions.
Say “I appreciate you” to essential workers.
This is a difficult time for ALL of us and we can all use more appreciation, kindness, and respect as we navigate the additional challenges brought on by COVID-19. When you see a grocery store worker taking extra precautions or wiping down the cart before you use it, say “I appreciate you…” and make a sincere compliment acknowledging the extra work that they are doing, in this case for your safety. Essential workers are being pushed and pulled in multiple directions, often with little recognition, appreciation, or acknowledgment. Take the 10-15 seconds to do the uncomfortable and genuinely thank them for what they’re doing. Or consider sending a handwritten thank you to your local grocery store, clinic, and hospital. It goes a long way!
Support others at this time.
One of the easiest ways to support others in this time is writing letters to women experiencing hardship through The Letter Project. It’s easy, you can do it by yourself or socially distanced with others, and it makes a significant impact on the life of young women. COVID-19 has only increased the number of letter requests we receive and is super isolating for many of us. Grab a pen, a piece of paper, and dedicate just a few minutes to support one gal.
We also recommend visiting Connecticut Children’s For Happier Holidays in Quarantine, Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving for family-friendly ideas to build resiliency in this tough time. Our favorites: gratitude journaling and finding ways to give back!
** Before scheduling any events this holiday season, please be sure to visit the CDC for up-to-date guidelines.