The fall season is most definitely in full swing. Although the last vestiges of summer sun have yet to disappear entirely, the leaves have fallen and pumpkins can be seen gracing hallways and doorsteps. Halloween has come and gone, and now it’s time for perhaps the most unappreciated fall holiday: Thanksgiving. Oh, the irony. People who have already broken out their Christmas decorations and are listening to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” on repeat are missing out on all the great holiday spirit right around the corner in November. So to all those people who skip straight to Christmas, here is a list of five reasons why Thanksgiving should be your new favorite holiday!
1. Thanksgiving message
How great is it that we have an entire holiday dedicated to giving thanks for the blessings we all have in life? Surely, the value of this message can be universally recognized. In a society that all too often is blindly desiring more—whether that be more money, success, power, or material goods—it is comforting to take a moment to pause and be grateful for what we have. At least for a day before we start punching people in the face for that Black Friday deal we just HAVE TO HAVE.
2. Friends and family
Thanksgiving, like Christmas, is best celebrated with the people we cherish the most. Who doesn’t love an excuse to get together with friends and family, eat an obscene amount of food, play a few terrible rounds of charades, and drink more than would be socially acceptable otherwise? Of course, we all have that one aunt that will ALWAYS ask if we have a boyfriend yet or some other equally irritating question, but at least if we stuff enough food in our mouths we can avoid answering for a while. Because, ya know, it’s impolite to speak with your mouth full, Auntie dearest. Â
3. Food
Speaking of eating, I would be totally remiss if I didn’t mention perhaps the most unforgettable part of Thanksgiving: the food, and in such immense quantities that you might slip into a turkey coma just looking at it. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of turkey, the stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato mash might eclipse the main dish in this case. Not to mention the twelve different types of pies your grandma brought. Another added benefit is that it is arguably the whole point of the holiday to eat enough to feed a small herd of cows and then unbutton your pants at the table.
4. Volunteering
The unselfish spirit of Thanksgiving also extends throughout communities, not just individual households. Many families have a Thanksgiving tradition of volunteering, donating to a food pantry, or serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless. It’s not just a day for giving thanks for what you have, but also reaching out to the less fortunate. If this isn’t on your Thanksgiving to-do list, it should be!
5. Parades
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City is always a highlight of my Thanksgiving, and it should be a highlight of yours too. You get to watch a collection of some of the most talented marching bands from across the country, assorted celebrities riding insanely decorated floats, enormous gravity-defying cartoon characters, and dancers in brightly colored costumes. Essentially all of my childhood dreams come to life in one parade and are then put on steroids. If you think you wouldn’t enjoy this you must be in denial.
6. No class
I think this one is self-explanatory. Any excuse not to go to class is a blessing, if you ask me. Also, more sleep. Enough said.
So come next Thursday, don’t forget to enjoy Thanksgiving for the wonderful holiday that it is! That, and wear pants with an elastic waistband.
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