Not Quite Home For The Holidays

We asked Laura Ciampa, owner of KITCHD and longtime customer, to share some of her thoughts about enjoying the upcoming holidays in a challenging year—she was excited to do so! 

KITCHD helps cooking enthusiasts fall in love with their kitchens by curating a personalized selection of housewares and appliances tailored to an individual’s needs and interests. Using data, research and experience, the KITCHD team sources and suggests the best cookware and products to help customers create the optimal culinary environment for their lifestyle and aspirations. 

Not Quite Home for the Holidays 

Ordinarily, for me, Thanksgiving planning is a satisfying ritual that usually begins in September. My family’s traditional celebration consists of dear friends, immediate family, and other nomadic guests lacking a festive option. A small group of us orchestrates this annual gathering, from menu planning to meat carving. In all the years we’ve been doing this, we like to mix it up by introducing new dishes to complement the timeless family favorites: poblano chili cornbread stuffing rubbing elbows with mom’s homemade cinnamon applesauce. 

Each year, we begin perusing notes from the previous Thanksgiving, deciding which recipes to keep and which to retire. And then we brainstorm about what new dishes we should introduce to our ever-food-curious guests. Once settled, we move to the logistics: ordering the turkey, planning the appetizers, coordinating the side dishes, and determining the desserts. We then distribute the cooking and preparation tasks across many cooks in many kitchens, ensuring that everything shows up at the table at right time, in the right amount. 

But this year, as we all know, is different. Even if “home for the holidays” right now conjures up some anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, we have to make a concerted effort to keep it special. Many of us will not be able to travel. Some have sadly lost loved ones. And dining inside together in large groups is considered a dangerous option, especially for guests of advanced years. But celebrate we will. And for my geographically scattered group of loved ones, it will be a much different, pared-down version of our traditional feast. 

So right here and now, let’s commit to finding joy in the face of these challenges and unusual circumstances! In addition to giving thanks, why not seize this opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and hope? 

Celebrating one of the biggest holidays away from family and friends doesn’t have to be sad when you creatively infuse it with elements with intention and meaning. 

Here are a few things to consider for making your Thanksgiving a bit brighter: 

To feel closer with those who are far away or no longer with us: 

• Use a family heirloom at the table, perhaps a serving piece, vase, candlestick holders, tablecloth, or something passed down, given to you, or borrowed—a lovely way to remember special people 
• Make a treasured recipe that may or may not be specific to the holiday 
• Play music that was special to them 
• Select a favorite color theme 
• Burn a scented candle that reminds you of a particular time together 

To melt the miles away: 

• Connect with friends and family for a virtual toast or blessing at a designated time 
• Create a holiday cocktail and share the recipe with family and friends 
• Invite new guests, especially those living alone, to share in your virtual toast or blessing 
• Send those not able to attend a bouquet of flowers or a small gift for entertaining to use at their table 
• Write a short note or card telling them that you are missing them at your table 
• Drop off a card, flowers, plant, or small plate of Thanksgiving goodies to those in assisted living or the hospital who are able to eat but not able to visit 
• Mail a special note, photo, or poem for them to share at their table 

In your home:

• Treat yourself to a new serving piece, vase, or linens that you love and will look forward to using
• Plan the meal around a special bottle of wine or pick up a special bottle to compliment your meal 
• Give yourself permission to reshape, innovate traditional staple dishes, or try new dishes to expand your culinary repertoire (you’ll be ready to use them next year!) 
• Set up your table in a different location from where you normally eat 
• Make it a family affair, involve children by enlisting their help with food planning, prepping, cooking, making table decorations, and setting the table 
• Remember that most recipes can be halved or quartered, adjusting accordingly except for baking cakes (but really, an abundance of cake is probably not a problem) 

Most of all, be kind to yourself. We’ve all been doing a lot more cooking this year. Permit yourself to keep it simple and smaller. It won’t be any less delicious. 

How will you make your Thanksgiving special in this most unusual time? However it feels right to you. 

From our family to yours, have a healthy, safe, and delicious holiday!

Laura Ciampa

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