This is our second Thanksgiving abroad since leaving NYC last July. Last year (2019) we celebrated Thanksgiving with a jungle/cave hike in Thailand. No turkey in sight; only monkeys and leeches.
Zoom-giving
This year we're in NZ on this special American holiday. As much as we miss our families and very much wish we could celebrate together in person, what we're MOST grateful for this year is that our families continue to be safe & healthy amidst raging covid, and that we're able to gather virtually.
We organized zoom calls with our loved ones on each Coast. To manage time zones we picked the girls up early from school (NZ Friday = US Thanksgiving Thursday). First up was a Zoom Thanksgiving with the "Williams" East Coast crew, Grammy & Gramps and my sister & family.
Next up, Zoom Thanksgiving with the "Bohaboy" California crew, Papa & Nan and Doug's sister & family.
Not the same as being together with our family, but effective nonetheless to enjoy each other's company and show appreciation.
Friendsgiving
We decided last minute to invite our two neighboring families over for a "Friendsgiving" Thanksgiving celebration. We have the fortunate ability to gather safely here in NZ and wanted to share some customs of this important American cultural day.
We put in motion a few little things to make the gathering feel a bit more special than a typical Friday night dinner party. I asked the girls to make place cards to spruce up our Friendsgiving table. They were very excited and sweetly got immediately to work.
Sadie also volunteered to make a "Friendsgiving Tree", inspired by something Erinn kindly gave us two years ago. It was a Grateful tree, where we filled in the leaves with things we are thankful for. Here are some pics of us completing the Grateful tree gift from Erinn, Thanksgiving 2018 in our NYC apartment:
Back to Thanksgiving 2020, Sadie drew up this amazing Friendsgiving Grateful tree, 100% freehand. She continues to wow us with her unique style of drawing & raw talent.
Friendsgiving Feast & Grateful Tree
We opted for a "potluck" style Friendsgiving . . . Jayne brought chips & dips starters, we provided the mains and Tomas made chocolate cake. With no turkey in sight, we served a homemade Italian meat (with NZ lamb!) red sauce pasta and salad with Crystal Gardens lettuce (of course) :) Paige made a special "mocktail" for the kiddos, made from muddled mint, kiwis and cucumbers in bubbly water. Jayne's traditional Kiwi onion dip was tasty as usual, and 13-year old Tomas rocked his chocolate cake creation. A solid team effort!
Everyone took a turn filing in a grateful leaf. Here's our final product:
I wonder where we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving next year??! Wherever that may be, I hope beyond hope that it includes gathering safely with our families in person. xoxo
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