When you think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s a holiday filled with food, family and relaxation. While food is certainly a centerpiece of the celebration, there is so much more. Whether it’s watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or running in your local turkey trot, the holiday is about coming together with family to celebrate in whatever way feels right.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, food is undoubtedly the main event. The preparation is often a days-long effort, with family members waking up early to get the turkey in the oven and spending hours getting everything ready by dinnertime. By the time evening arrives, you’ve eaten enough to make you fall over or make you want to take a nap.
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and gravy are just a few of the regulars you’ll find at most Thanksgiving tables. But what makes the holiday unique for each family are the traditions circulating these staple foods. Students may have family recipes that have been passed down through generations and others incorporate their cultural flavors. “Some foods we have at my family’s Thanksgiving dinner are turkey, apple sauce, and mashed potatoes, but we also have Russian salads called Olivye and reed beet salad, which my family loves to eat,” junior Jenny Brailovsky said.
Senior Kyle Fuster had more of a traditional dinner. “My family usually has turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy and bread rolls. It’s a basic Thanksgiving menu.”
After eating all that food, it’s custard-ary to enjoy dessert. Pumpkin, apple and pecan pie — these are just the traditional beginning. Cakes, bars, cookies and other treats fill the table, giving everyone something to look forward to after a big meal. For families, making desserts may be a tradition in itself. Some follow recipes passed down through the years while others have fun experimenting with new ideas. “Every year for Thanksgiving I make turkey cupcakes. I use chocolate cupcakes with Reese’s pieces for the face, edible eyes, candy corn as feathers, orange candy corn for the nose and red Welch’s for the wattle. My family loves to eat them,” senior Shivani Jain said.
In addition to the food and family, people may look forward to watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been held for the past 98 years, in New York City, and for families, it may be something they watch together in their pajamas with a cup of coffee in hand. The colorful floats, marching bands and performances have become a staple of the day.
Thanksgiving Day also means football for millions of people. Every year, three NFL games are played, with two of those games featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or just enjoying the festive atmosphere, sports may be a big part of Thanksgiving celebrations. “One tradition my family has is watching the Commanders and Cowboys game with my family,” Jain said.
Fuster shared Jain’s enthusiasm about football. “My favorite tradition from Thanksgiving was watching the Commanders beat the Cowboys,” Fuster said.
One of the most meaningful Thanksgiving traditions is taking the time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. For families, this may happen before or during the meal. It’s a chance to pause and acknowledge the good things in our lives, whether that’s health, family, friends, or simply the opportunity to spend this day together. “One important tradition my family has is saying what you are grateful for before we eat,” Brailovsky said.
Other students do the same. “On Thanksgiving, my family and friends say what we are thankful for when sitting at the table,” senior Abhinav Tare said.
While Thanksgiving traditions may be shared, every family has its own unique way of celebrating. his may mean creating new rituals that are specific to their household. “For Thanksgiving, my family and I do Thanksgiving poppers, they open up and give you things to do.” senior Emily Teague said.
Thanksgiving traditions may last longer than one day, especially enjoying leftovers. With entire days devoted to preparing so much food for a single meal, it’s often difficult to finish eating everything at once; it’s common for families to finish their meals over the next few days. “My favorite tradition from Thanksgiving is the day after when I get to eat the leftovers,” junior Mia Coven said.
Thanksgiving is truly about bringing people together. Whether you’re hosting a big dinner at your house or traveling to visit relatives, the holiday is a time to reconnect with loved ones. The act of gathering, sharing a meal, and enjoying each other’s company is what makes Thanksgiving so meaningful. “I celebrate with my mom, dad, brother, and family friends. My family goes to my family friend’s house and we enjoy the holiday together,” Tare said.
Families may travel long distances once a year to be with their relatives on this holiday. When people have different things going on in their lives, Thanksgiving is a rare opportunity to come together. “Every year my parents and I host Thanksgiving and my extended family fly in from Tennessee and college to come celebrate,” Coven said.
Other students may celebrate somewhere else. “I celebrate with my family, my cousins and grandparents. We celebrate at my grandparents house in Frederick,” Fuster said.
No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, whether it’s with immediate family, friends or extended relatives, the important thing is that you’re sharing the day with the people who matter most. While the way students celebrate may look different depending on their families, the spirit of Thanksgiving remains the same. It’s a time to slow down, reflect and appreciate our people and our traditions. Thanksgiving is about coming together, reflecting on what we’re grateful for, and making memories that will last long even after that last slice of pie is eaten.
