Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
I may be a little biased because I’m in marching band, but this is my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Nothing is better than getting up early, having a cup of coffee, and sitting with your family and enjoying the Thanksgiving parade and all of the Christmas commercials that start premiering. From seeing all of the Broadway performances to the huge balloons and Santa at the end of the parade, there’s no better way to start your holiday morning!
Help your family prepare the meal
One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is getting to see all of my family together in one room. In some families cases, this is the only time of year that everyone’s together at once, so why wouldn’t you want to spend as much time with them as possible? There’s no better way to spend time with family than to help out with cooking, and there isn’t a more rewarding feeling than having your cooking enjoyed by everyone that you love! I can also guarantee that whoever is cooking will really appreciate the help. You not only might learn how to make your favorite dish, but you can also catch up with family and get into all the gossip and stories of past holidays together.
Watch or play some football
This one I can’t say is my favorite part of Thanksgiving, but many other families would beg to differ. While the food is cooking, or even after you’re done eating, families can bond around the television watching football and cheering for their favorite teams! If you’re not a huge fan of football, like me, then watch the Thanksgiving episode of Friends where they all attempt to play a “friendly” game of football (it’s much better than watching the real thing).
Go Black Friday shopping
The feeling of getting a phenomenal deal is unlike any other, especially when you get incredible deals on Christmas presents for your friends and family. Even though Black Friday shopping is hectic, I can definitely say that it’s worth it. Go ahead and get as much of your Christmas shopping out of the way so that whenever the holiday season comes around you can spend it relaxing with family and wrapping presents, instead of stressing over last minute gifts when everything is out of stock. Black Friday shopping is a family tradition for some, so whether your family likes to brave the crowds or stay home and relax on Friday, just remember to be safe, and to be patient with the crowds and the employees who have to work that day.
Reflect on blessings for the year
This one kind of goes hand in hand with the actual holiday name Thanksgiving. But I love this holiday because it’s just about the company. There’s no stress of getting people presents or having the best decorations — this holiday is solely about family and love. Make sure that you take the time to thank your family and reflect on all the blessings that have been brought to you this year. We’re incredibly lucky to be able to spend this time with our families, so just sit back and enjoy everyone’s company. Life is full of give and take, so give thanks and take nothing for granted. There is always something to be thankful for.