Is it just me or does it feel like no one cares about Thanksgiving anymore? Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, but every year more and more people transition directly from Halloween to Christmas without giving this holiday a second thought. You’d think the gap of a month from Halloween and Christmas would give people more reason to celebrate Thanksgiving, but sadly this isn’t the case. Malls start overflowing with Christmas decorations and Santas on November 1st, ABC Family’s Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas starts a full week before Thanksgiving, and many people don’t even bother celebrating this holiday anymore because they’re too busy getting ready for Black Friday. Where’s the Thanksgiving spirit? Has everyone forgotten all the awesome things Thanksgiving has to offer? Such as:
Football:
I’m not the world’s biggest football fan, but when the game comes on I’ll be with my parents, uncles, aunts and cousins rooting for the Patriots or any team that isn’t the Giants. Sometimes we’d even go and cheer on my cousin at his high school football game, in the freezing, blistering cold. Some years we’d even start our own game in the backyard that turns from football into the girls tackling the guys and running away with the ball. Whether you’re playing or watching, Thanksgiving football is a great bonding experience for family and friends– and the best way to get out of setting up for dinner.
Thanksgiving Break:
With finals right around the corner, going home for the weekend is a great way to relax, destress, and have your mom do all the laundry that’s been building up in your room. You can also use this time to catch up with friends, make plans for winter break, pick up job applications and study for exams. Or you could just catch up on all your favorite TV shows and movies for five straight days. Whatever you want! Either way it’s a time to get some sleep and build up the energy you’ll need for finals week.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
You’ve probably seen it every year, and don’t want to get up at 9 A.M. to see it again. But it’s worth it! Going on it’s 87th year, the Macy’s Parade is one of the longest running Thanksgiving traditions, besides eating turkey of course. Plus who doesn’t want to see a giant blown-up Shrek or Spongebob?
Spending Time with Friends and Family:
For a lot of kids, Thanksgiving might be the first time you’ve seen your family since school started. And even though you might be telling yourself that you haven’t missed them that much, odds are you’re lying. Not only do you get to go home and talk about how awesome college is and show how smart you are by repeating what your professor said in Econ, you get to hang out with your crazy drunk aunt, your grandparents that give you money when your parents aren’t looking, and your new adorable cousins and nieces and nephews!
Food…obviously!
So in between putting away Halloween costumes and putting up Christmas decorations, don’t forget to celebrate one of America’s oldest, most traditional holidays with the people you love. Have a happy Thanksgiving!