It’s great to be grateful! – by Leyah Philip
I love Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t enjoy a day dedicated to being grateful and stuffing your face with food? While some may overlook this holiday and skip straight to decking the halls once it hits Nov. 1, I am an avid “Turkey Day” lover.
Picture a crisp autumn morning and the smell of pumpkin spice wafting through the air. It’s finally sweater weather, and nothing is more autumnal than binging every iconic Thanksgiving episode of “Gossip Girl,” “Friends” or “Gilmore Girls.”
On Thanksgiving morning, one of my favorite traditions is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watching inflatable turkeys and cartoon characters float through the skies of New York City is one of the ways to get cozy while you’re bundled up on the couch.
After the parade is something perfect for dog lovers: the National Dog Show, where I pretend to be a certified expert on which dog will win (I pick whichever one’s cutest). This is a great way for friends and family to spend time together.
Plus, Thanksgiving is a riveting day for football fanatics. Families gather by the television to watch our very own (albeit struggling this season) Dallas Cowboys play in the Thanksgiving game, so everyone has something to entertain themselves with.
Now, for those who aren’t as intrigued by the miscellaneous Thanksgiving Day programming, there’s always food! Thanksgiving is perfect for even the pickiest eaters because there’s a dish for everyone. From stuffing and sweet potato casserole to the turkey, everyone at the table is guaranteed to find something they love.
And, of course, Friendsgiving is also a great way to spend the holiday. Nothing screams gratitude more than seeing the odd combination of foods your friends have gathered for the potluck and still having a great time, even if more than half of them ended up bringing dessert.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to de-stress and take a break from the bustle of life. Halloween brings the chaos of finding a perfect costume, and shopping for holiday gifts is even more pressure. However, Thanksgiving is the one holiday that is all fun and no hassle. It’s a day to spend time with your friends and family and be thankful for a day off from school and an extra helping of food.
So, the next time you hear someone singing Christmas carols in November, remind them what they should be looking forward to: Thanksgiving!
Skippin’ Thanksgivin’ – by Anderson Rhodus
Christmas is one of the best holidays; there is no doubt about it, so why should we slow down the holiday spirit for Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is just a transition from Halloween to the winter season. Each house features bright holiday lights accompanied by their rotten jack-o’-lanterns left on the doorstep from Halloween. I mean, how does one even show their Thanksgiving spirit? In my opinion, they can’t, and here’s why:
1. The absence of Thanksgiving music and movies
After Oct. 31, no one listens to any more songs with a “spooky” flare, so they move on straight to holiday music. If Thanksgiving truly is that significant of a holiday, then there should be music that accompanies the ‘grateful vibe’ that Thanksgiving is all about.
Similarly, there are very few movies about Thanksgiving. Unless, of course, we are discussing the history behind the holiday, there are no light-hearted, comedic, or even casual films centered around Thanksgiving.
2. TV commercials and stores
Have you noticed that once the spooky season ends and November begins, TV commercials start highlighting holiday deals? I have, too.
If Thanksgiving was not just a bridge between Halloween and the winter season, then retailers would be broadcasting Thanksgiving sales online. Thus, since the media treats Thanksgiving as a transitional holiday, we should not think any differently.
Likewise, stores such as Target and Home Depot begin to showcase their holiday decorations directly after Halloween. I even recall many times that I have gone to Target to purchase candy for Halloween, and nutcrackers and Elves on the Shelves are already being displayed.
3. TikTok’s romanticization of the holiday aesthetic
One of the most popular apps used by teens, TikTok, also plays a huge role in holiday trends and spirit. Holiday content featured on the app ranges from warm and cozy holiday hangout ideas and festive dances with holiday music to nostalgic and emotionally enticing videos about the holidays as a child.
Regarding TikTok trends, annually, on Nov. 1, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” begins the Christmas season with the “melting of the ice.”
4. Winter holidays provide enough family time
Lastly, although Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and saying what we are grateful for, let’s not pretend that the holiday season doesn’t give us plenty of opportunities to celebrate with family.
Therefore, the underlying truth is that Thanksgiving is just a segue between Halloween and Christmas, some people just fail to recognize it.
