Thanksgiving is the first big holiday that comes up when you're in college. You've had almost three months to focus on school, meeting friends, and being independent. Now it's time to take a mental break and focus on something entirely different– gratitude and family. Unfortunately, not everyone living away at college gets to visit home for the holiday. For international students or students who live too far to travel, going home for Thanksgiving may not be in the cards.

If you're one of the ones stuck on a quiet campus during Thanksgiving break, don't worry! You won't be there alone. There will be other students in the same boat and many ways to make your Thanksgiving Day on campus special.  

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Invite Friends

     First and foremost, identify the friends who will be around on Turkey Day. Most people will be traveling home, so you may need to stretch your reach to see who will be around. Look outside your circle, be bold and invite new friends. College is all about new experiences and meeting new people, and this is no exception. Exchange phone numbers ahead of time. You can invite them via text or create a simple invitation in Canva.

Decide on a Location

     Will you host dinner in your dorm? An off-campus apartment? The Dining Hall? Or a Restaurant? There are lots of options for a location when planning your party. A dorm or off-campus apartment will have a more intimate atmosphere and allow you to decorate festively. You can relax and have plenty of time for fun after. However, a dorm has limited cooking appliances. Most dorms have shared kitchen space, and since there will not be many people around, you will probably have sole use of it. But a lot goes into preparing a Thanksgiving meal for friends, including refrigerator space, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, and cleanup. If this seems overwhelming, consider hosting the part elsewhere.  

     While not the most exciting option initially, the dining hall can be a good alternative. Most dining halls will spice up their holiday menus and decorate for those students still on campus. This makes the holiday feel more unique and worth considering.

     You can always plan a fun turkey dinner at a local restaurant if you don't enjoy the cooking or cleanup. While not all restaurants will be open, and the ones that are may require a reservation, you will likely have a unique dining out experience with traditional Thanksgiving menu items for the big day.

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Decorate

     Decorating is always my favorite part of any holiday! Unlike dinner prep, you can plan your decorations weeks ahead of time and not have to worry the morning of Thanksgiving. There are many fun and festive ways to decorate, even on a college budget. The Dollar Store, Walmart, and Target dollar bin are the most budget-friendly spots to score your fall décor. Mini pumpkins and gourds, leaf garland, paper turkeys, and string lights are inexpensive yet create the warm, cozy Thanksgiving Day feel you're going for. Since nature should be part of the décor, just take a quick walk to collect colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, and twigs to make a beautiful centerpiece for your table. Or follow these tips for even more ideas on how to decorate on a budget. Your guests will swoon over your festive spot, putting you all in the Thanksgiving mood. 

Create a Menu

     If a home-cooked meal is on the menu for Thanksgiving this year, don't stress; just plan ahead! You don't need to include all the fixings. Still, a few traditional favorites will make your party feel like you're celebrating at home. You could enlist the help of your guests to come early and help cook. You could also make it a "potluck" type of party where everyone invited brings a dish.

   A Thanksgiving dinner should include at least a few items:  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables like corn or green beans or squash, cranberry sauce, and a dessert like an apple or pumpkin pie. Canned, fresh, prepackaged, or store-bought–do whatever works best for you! You don't need anything fancy unless that's your thing! A simple menu will do the trick. Be sure to check with your friends for any allergies or diet restrictions so you can prepare a meal that everyone can eat. 

     Shop as early as possible to ensure you get your ingredients and find the best deals. There are tons of Thanksgiving Day budget-saving tips to keep your shopping list to a minimum. Last year, I got a free turkey and all the fixings using the free Ibotta App. A little planning ahead of time can really help you stay within your budget.

The Rest of the Day

     We can all acknowledge that food is the most significant part of planning a successful Thanksgiving feast with friends or family. But it doesn't have to consume your entire day. There are many other activities to include in your celebration to extend the festivities. When planning your day, also be sure to carve a time for a Turkey Day nap. All that tryptophan will kick in eventually, but before it does, here are a few activities to plan with your guests:

Turkey Trot- The morning before your feast, try signing up for a local 5K race. Turkey trots are a fun tradition to get your metabolism moving before you stuff your belly with all the food you will prepare later. The mood is festive, and racers are friendly and fun, often dressing up in turkey attire to show their spirit. Many trots will include money raised for charity or a canned goods drive so you can participate in the fun and know you're helping the community.

Macy's Day Parade- It's not Thanksgiving without turning on the Macy's Day Parade. Invite your guests early so you can watch the nostalgic parade and listen to the festive commentary. Growing up, this was a staple in my home on Thanksgiving, so why stop it now?

‍Volunteer- The spirit of Thanksgiving is all about being thankful. Nothing can truly get you into the heart of the holiday like volunteering to feed the hungry. Contact your university, church, or local homeless shelter to see how you can help. Invite your dinner guests to come along. You will leave being thankful for all you have and know that you've done something to help others. 

Watch Football - You can always count on football on Thanksgiving. Whether your team is playing or not, it's never Thanksgiving without football on the TV while the smell of roasted turkey fills the air. Check ahead to see what time the game will be on and adjust your dinner time accordingly. Bring a football to burn off some of those calories after you eat. A friendly football game with friends is a perfect way to get a little activity in a while entertaining.  

You can make Thanksgiving Day in the dorms special in countless ways. You can follow the traditional activities or start your own new traditions. While it can feel sad to not spend the holidays with your family, being with friends can be just as enjoyable. It will undoubtedly be a year you can look back on and remember. You are only in college once, so live up this experience and make it unforgettable.

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