Thanksgiving Ideas for Those Who Have to Work

I am fortunate to have a job that doesn't require me to work on Thanksgiving Day, but I realize that there are many who do not have this option. For instance, many doctors and nurses must work on holidays. If they didn't work those days, the rest of us could be in some really big trouble if we were to get sick or injured. Also, law enforcement officers and firefighters must work on holidays so that the rest of are safe and taken care of. And, let's not forget military personnel who work holidays (and sometimes everyday) so that we can live with all the freedoms that we have. For a lot of people, Thanksgiving is just another day at work.

How can those who have to work on Thanksgiving (or other holidays) make the day special so that they do get to celebrate an important holiday? Better yet, how can we (who aren't working on Thanksgiving Day) help make the day special for those that work to keep us safe from harm and illness? There are many things that we all can do, and some are really quite simple.

First of all, employers who have employees working on Thanksgiving Day could make an effort to make the work environment festive. First of all, a heart-felt "thank you" goes a long way in making the employees feel appreciated. Then, I think that employers should decorate the workplace (even if it is just a wreath or window clings) and provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal for those working. This acknowledges that Thanksgiving is special and that the employees deserve to celebrate, even if they are scheduled to work.

The employees themselves might get together and work out a schedule so that each person gets to spend at least a portion of the day away from work. This way, they can at least celebrate a little bit with their family and friends. Also, it makes it so that some people aren't stuck working the entire holiday while others don't work at all on the holiday. Note: I realize that some employees rotate major holidays -working either Christmas or Thanksgiving -this is also a nice way to make sure that the same people aren't stuck working every holiday.

Last, those of us who are not working on Thanksgiving can make the day special by planning a celebration meal at a time the person working can attend. It might mean rearranging our schedule and having a holiday breakfast instead of lunch, but wouldn't it be worth it to have everyone together at that meal?

We can also help make the holiday special while at work by taking a meal to those who are working and including a note of thanks and a special dessert. I have a friend who worked holidays at a local hospital for several years. I always tried to remember him (and his coworkers) on holidays by baking a plate of cookies or a pan of brownies and taking them to him at work. He would share the food with the others who were working and they had their own "celebration."

The last idea I have for Thanksgiving celebrations for those who have to work deals with changing the date of our plans. My family has celebrated Thanksgiving on the Saturday afternoon before Thanksgiving for several years. We started this so that part of the family could take a family trip from Thanksgiving Day until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We have continued it so that the entire family can attend the gathering -we have a couple in our family who do have to work on Thanksgiving. Even though we celebrate early, we still acknowledge and celebrate more on Thanksgiving Day. We remember those who are working by making sure to prepare them a meal and take it to them at work.