1:21
- living
- Thanksgiving
- November 6, 2020
10 tips for hosting a virtual Thanksgiving
Pick your platform, start an event page and encourage dressing up!
Video by Will Linendoll
1:21
\"There are a few things you can do to ensure a successful event, including plugging your computer directly into your router for a faster connection than Wi-Fi,\" Chaves suggested. \"If you can’t make a hardline connection, sit as close to your Wi-Fi router as possible.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/wifi-router-gty-jt-201103_1604429973449_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
It's also important to test your audio and video beforehand, and make sure your microphone is using its optimum settings and that your camera is in HD. Remind your guests to do the same.
\"If any guests are hard of hearing or seeing, explore closed-caption options and screen readers on the platform of your choice,\" she said.
\"Playing games creates an extra level of interactivity and, in turn, connection for your attendees,\" Chaves said. \"Adding a game to the event can be a lovely way to create some joy and silliness.\"
The best games that Chaves thinks work well for virtual events include trivia, Pictionary and even DIY holiday bingo.
\"Encourage a festive dress code. The ritual of getting ready for a party can create anticipation and excitement for the event itself. It’ll give everyone a fun excuse to ditch their athleisure, dress up a bit and feel like a sparkly version of their everyday self,\" Chaves pointed out.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/cell-phone-turkey-gty-jt-201103_1604430326858_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Issues are bound to pop up, but Chaves explained that you can prepare as the host and your guests to embrace the not-so-traditional parts of the occasion.
\"Everyone should remember that it’s OK if you have a lot of background noise from family or roommates, and it’s OK if your kids keep jumping into the frame. Embrace these things -- they’re everyone’s reality.\"
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the day!
","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/GMA/Living/expert-advice-hosting-hassel-free-virtual-thanksgiving/story?id=73976219","legacySlug":"/living/story/expert-advice-hosting-hassel-free-virtual-thanksgiving-73976219","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"09:12","publishDate":"11-06-2020","updatedTime":"12:01","updatedDate":"11-10-2020","socialImage":{"alt":"Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving for family and friends.","credit":"ABC News Photo Illustration","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/VirtualThanksgiving_110220_v01_BV_1604513398170_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"11/6/2020 09:12:00 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":73976219,"headline":"10 tips for hosting a virtual Thanksgiving","mediaAssetTitle":"HOW TO HOST A VIRTUAL THANKSGIVING","description":"Pick your platform, start an event page and encourage dressing up!","duration":"1:21","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/11/191108_gma_digital_mimosa_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["73429508","73851730","73879512"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"story","date":"November 10, 2020","headline":"Thanksgiving safety amid COVID-19: Here's what you should consider to stay safe","section":"food","slug":"/food/story/thanksgiving-safety-amid-covid-19-stay-safe-73429508","id":73429508,"image":{"alt":"Thanksgiving safety amid COVID-19: Here's what you should consider to stay safe","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/thanksgiving-table-stock-gty-jef-201005_1601914690555_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"October 27, 2020","headline":"Retailers stock up on smaller turkeys for Thanksgiving due to pandemic","section":"food","slug":"/food/story/retailers-stock-smaller-turkeys-thanksgiving-due-pandemic-73851730","id":73851730,"image":{"alt":"Retailers stock up on smaller turkeys for Thanksgiving due to pandemic","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/Turkey-01-sh-iwb-201027_1603805000742_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"Sorapop Udomsri/Shutterstock","ratio":"1x1"}},{"contentType":"story","date":"November 7, 2022","headline":"Thanksgiving hosting gifts they'll actually use after the plates are cleared","section":"shop","slug":"/shop/story/thanksgiving-hosting-gifts-plates-cleared-73879512","id":73879512,"image":{"alt":"Thanksgiving hosting gifts they'll actually use after the plates are cleared","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/HappyThanksgiving-2020_v03_ag_1604317191272_hpMain_4x3t_240.jpg","credit":"ABC News","ratio":"1x1"}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"10 tips for hosting a virtual Thanksgiving","description":"Pick your platform, start an event page and encourage dressing up!","duration":"1:21","uploadDate":"11-06-2020","publication":"11-06-2020","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/11/191108_gma_digital_mimosa_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2019/11/191108_gma_digital_mimosa_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/expert-advice-hosting-hassel-free-virtual-thanksgiving-73976219"}},"playlist":[{"id":"133748258","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133730535","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133712423","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133694181","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133688738","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133616358","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133616342","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133522899","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133584123","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133579397","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133482839","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133390157","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133415361","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133414032","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133380485","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133358298","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133350119","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133307515","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133307527","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"133282665","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:living:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"living","title":"10 tips for hosting a virtual Thanksgiving","pubTime":"04:12","pubDate":"11-06-2020","modTime":"07:01","modDate":"11-10-2020","taxonomyTags":"none","id":73976219,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"Will Linendoll","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"10 tips for hosting a virtual Thanksgiving","mediaAssetTitle":"HOW TO HOST A VIRTUAL THANKSGIVING","videoId":73976219,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/living/story/expert-advice-hosting-hassel-free-virtual-thanksgiving-73976219"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/73976219","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/73976219","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};