A lot of New Trier families weren’t able to come together in full this year, seemingly stripping the holiday of much of its core value. After all, Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy a meal with distant relatives, not just mom, dad, and your siblings. But the pandemic has forced us to celebrate it differently. This year, it’s about the household. The people who have made us rip our hair out, cry, and love each other in these times of isolation. The Alberts family decided to have a relaxed dinner this year, sipping drinks long after they finished their food. 

This idea that the holiday would be something new and different fascinated me, and I decided to capture it in the only way I could think of. That’s why I decided to schedule a socially distanced photo shoot with several New Trier families to share their experiences. I biked to the different homes and took shots of the families enjoying their Thanksgiving dinners. It’s unfortunate you mostly see my reflection, but had it been a bit darker, you would clearly see the Frydman family’s mouthwatering meal.

Despite their half-empty table, the Wolfs seemed to have just as much fun as they would have if they were with all their friends and family. Senior Sam Wolf joked with his relatives as they enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal. There were several seats left unoccupied, but those four were more than enough. 

Many New Trier families may have asked themselves how formal they should be for this Thanksgiving. Senior Amelia Senior’s relatives each decided how formal they would be individually. While her father was fully dressed up, her mother was picking up takeout: that night’s dinner. 

Whatever you did this year, it probably wasn’t like any Thanksgiving you’ve ever experienced. These people were there for each other, and no matter what they may have gone through in 2020, they relished a day off with their loved ones.