Spending Thanksgiving by yourself can feel like you drew the short straw in the holiday lottery. The whole world seems to be passing gravy boats and fighting over the last dinner roll, while you are left with an unusual amount of quiet. It is easy to feel like you are missing out on some grand, universal celebration. A 2024 study showed that 5% of Americans were spending Thanksgiving solo. By today’s population, that is over 17 million people. If turkey day finds you with no company, you are literally not alone.
A solo Thanksgiving does not have to be a day spent staring at the wall, wishing for a turkey leg to magically appear. It can be an opportunity to do exactly what you want, without any of the usual family negotiations or travel headaches. This day can be a peaceful retreat, a chance to recharge, or simply a day to enjoy your own company.
Here are five things you can do if you’re spending Thanksgiving alone.
1. Do Something Fun for Yourself
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A day off is a perfect occasion to give yourself some undivided attention. Spending time on an activity purely for your enjoyment is a wonderful way to mark the day as special. It could be dedicating a few hours to a granny hobby you saw on TikTok, or old loves like painting, playing an instrument, or getting lost in a good book without interruption. It is an opportunity to reconnect with parts of yourself that get pushed aside during the regular hustle of life.
This approach transforms the day from one of potential loneliness into one of intentional self-care. A solo holiday gives you the freedom to design a day that caters entirely to your own preferences. You can finally watch that three-hour movie no one else wants to see or take a long, leisurely bath with all the fancy salts you have been saving for a special occasion. This is that occasion.
Quick Tips:
- Create a spa-like atmosphere at home. Light some candles, put on calming music, and enjoy a long soak or a face mask.
- Indulge in a media marathon. Catch up on your favorite series, watch a trilogy of movies from start to finish, or listen to an entire album without skipping a track.
- Engage in a creative project. Spend the afternoon gardening, writing, drawing, or working on a craft project you have put on hold.
- Enjoy some retail therapy online. Browse your favorite shops for something you have wanted for a while, even if it is just a small item.
2. Take Yourself Out to Dinner or Order Takeout
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The pressure to cook a multi-course meal on Thanksgiving is immense. The idea of roasting a whole turkey for one person is a bit much, and frankly, who wants to deal with all those dishes? Skipping the cooking is a liberating choice. Taking yourself out to dinner or ordering takeout from a favorite local restaurant supports a small business and saves you a significant amount of effort.
Many restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus, so you can still enjoy traditional holiday fare without lifting a finger. You could also completely ignore the traditional menu and order whatever you are craving, be it pizza, sushi, or Thai food. This day is about your comfort and your preference. Removing the expectation of a home-cooked feast can lift a huge weight off your shoulders, making the day feel less like a performance and more like a genuine holiday.
Quick Tips:
- Check for special holiday menus. Many local restaurants offer pre-ordered Thanksgiving dinners for one or two people.
- Order in advance. Restaurants can get busy on holidays, so placing your order a day or two ahead is a good idea.
- Don’t limit yourself to turkey. Use this as an opportunity to eat exactly what you want. Your favorite comfort food can be just as festive.
- Set the table nicely. Even if you are eating from a takeout container, using your nice plates and lighting a candle can make the meal feel more special.
3. Partake in a Virtual Holiday
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A virtual celebration can be a great way to connect with loved ones. Video calls with family and friends can help bridge the distance and make you feel less isolated.
To make your virtual gathering feel more like a real holiday, try planning a few things in advance. You can schedule a time to eat together, share recipes, or play online games. Watching a holiday movie or parade at the same time can also make it feel like you’re celebrating together.
Quick Tips:
- Schedule ahead: Pick a time that works for everyone.
- Plan an activity: A theme, game, or shared menu can make the call more fun.
- Test your tech: Make sure your camera and microphone are working before the call.
- Keep it relaxed: Don’t worry if there are technical glitches or awkward silences. The goal is just to connect.
4. Jot Down a Gratitude List
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The name of the holiday is Thanksgiving, after all. Taking a few moments to reflect on the things you are thankful for can have a surprisingly positive effect on your mindset. This does not have to be a formal or lengthy exercise. Simply grabbing a piece of paper and a pen and writing down a few things, big or small, can shift your perspective.
The act of writing down what you appreciate forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life, which can be a helpful counterbalance to any feelings of isolation. Your list can include anything. Maybe you are grateful for your health, a comfortable home, a good friend, or even just the perfect cup of tea you made that morning. Looking back at your list can serve as a reminder of the good things in your life.
Quick Tips:
- Find a quiet spot. Give yourself five to ten minutes without distractions to think and write.
- Don’t overthink it. Write down the first things that come to mind. They can be profound or seemingly insignificant.
- Focus on specifics. Instead of just “friends,” you might write about a specific funny conversation you had with a friend recently.
- Keep the list somewhere you can see it. You might place it on your desk or refrigerator as a gentle reminder throughout the day.
5. Use Social Media Intentionally
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Social media can be a double-edged sword on holidays. On one hand, it can make you feel more connected to loved ones who are far away. On the other hand, endlessly scrolling through curated images of large, happy gatherings can amplify feelings of being alone. The solution is not necessarily to avoid it entirely, but to use it with purpose.
Decide what you want to get out of it before you open the app. Are you hoping to see pictures from a specific family member? Do you want to post a greeting of your own? Being intentional means you are in control of the experience. You could also use it to connect with others who are also spending the day alone by searching for relevant hashtags or groups. If you find that scrolling is making you feel worse, log off.
Quick Tips:
- Schedule video calls. Set a specific time to connect with loved ones, so you have a planned social interaction to look forward to.
- Set a time limit. Decide how much time you want to spend on social media and stick to it to avoid mindless scrolling.
- Engage, don’t just lurk. Leave comments on friends’ posts or send direct messages to have more meaningful interactions.
- Log off if it becomes overwhelming. It is perfectly fine to take a break from social media for the day if it is not serving you well.
Enjoy Your Day
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A solo Thanksgiving can be a quiet, reflective, and genuinely enjoyable day. The key is to release any preconceived notions of what the holiday “should” be and embrace it for what it can be: a day for you. Instead of focusing on the absence of others, you can fill the day with activities that bring you comfort and joy.
Looking ahead, you might consider how you want to approach future holidays. Perhaps this solo Thanksgiving will inspire you to start a new tradition for yourself, or maybe it will encourage you to plan a “Friendsgiving” next year. You could even volunteer your time to help others. Whatever you decide, remember that you have the power to shape your own holiday experience.