Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where people do things differently, and that’s part of what makes it so fun. It is a time for food, family, and giving thanks but how people make those changes depends on who you are with, where you live, and even what you like to eat. Some people go big, some keep it small, and some change things up, but the idea of being thankful is always there.
For some people, Thanksgiving is a giant family reunion. Think big meals, lots of food, and a house full of people. You have got aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, the whole crew.
“We go over my grandma’s house with the whole family and my cousins come home from New York,” junior Ava Towe said, “so it’s a whole party and we have a big feast to celebrate being thankful for each other.”
Everyone brings something to share, so the table ends up being loaded with food. You might have the usual turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, but if you are from a certain part of the country, you might also get dishes like sweet potato casserole or cranberry sauce. It’s a big, loud, and happy celebration where everyone just enjoys being together and eating a ton of food.
Other people like a quieter, more lowkey Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s just a few close friends or immediate family, and you don’t need a huge feast to have a good time. Some folks spend the day outside, maybe playing football or just going for a walk in the cool weather. It’s not about the size of the meal, but the time spent together. The food might be a little simpler, but it’s just as delicious. It’s all about appreciating the day without the big fuss.
Then some switch things up completely. Some people don’t even eat turkey! Maybe they’re vegetarian or vegan, so they might make things like veggie casseroles, lentil loaf, or a big salad instead. In big cities, Thanksgiving can get even more mixed up because people from different cultures might add their traditions to the meal. You might see tamales, curry, or even sushi at the table and that’s okay!
“My family makes a huge batch of tamales and feast on them for the next week,” junior Allisson Ramirez said. “It just makes the holiday even more interesting.”
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food, though. For some families, it’s all about having fun together. Maybe you watch football, maybe you play games like charades or bingo, or maybe you just tell stories about funny things that happened in the past.
“We go to my aunt’s house and watch football,” junior Sophie Bower said. “We eat a normal thanksgiving dinner with cranberry sauce”.
A lot of people like to go around the table and say what they’re thankful for. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing games or sitting quietly, it’s the quality time that counts.
Another thing people do during Thanksgiving is help others. Many towns have community dinners where anyone can come and enjoy a free meal. Some people volunteer at food banks, shelters, or soup kitchens to help those in need. Thanksgiving is a great time to give back, and lots of people take advantage of this opportunity to spread kindness. It’s nice to know that, while you’re enjoying your meal, someone else might be having a better day because of your help.
No matter how you celebrate, the best part of Thanksgiving is being thankful. Some people like big family dinners, others enjoy quiet meals, and some even do things their way. But no matter how it looks, it’s all about appreciating what you have and sharing that joy with others. Whether you’re eating turkey, volunteering, or just hanging out with friends, Thanksgiving is about gratitude and that’s something we can all agree on.
