By Skye Milburn
As we get older, holidays that used to mean so much to us seem to suddenly start to lose their meaning. I miss when my biggest worries were what I was going to dress up as for Halloween, or what Santa was going to bring me for Christmas. Christmas and Halloween spirit start to fade as you age, and you realize you aren’t that little kid anymore. This allowed me to have a new appreciation for Thanksgiving that I previously did not have. When I get to the colder months toward the end of the year, I find myself being more excited for Thanksgiving than the other two major holidays.
The reason I find Thanksgiving so nice is because it is the one time out of the entire year where I can sit down with the people I love and take a moment to appreciate everything I have. I really don’t get any other moments like it. Sure, all my family comes over on Christmas, but it’s more chaotic and all anyone cares about is presents rather than quality time with those around you. Thanksgiving allows people to really appreciate things that would otherwise go unnoticed throughout the whole year, and I just think there’s something really special in that.
Now, to talk about the other aspect of Thanksgiving: the food. To be completely honest, there is no better meal than Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, and gravy are essential to a fantastic family dinner. There is no better feeling than sitting down with people you haven’t talked to in a year, catching up on everything, and stuffing your face with delicious food. Even after all that, your fridge becomes filled with leftovers that somehow are better than the original meal. There may not be any presents, but there is time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a five-star meal.
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is another joy that comes with the holiday, as well as sitting on the couch watching football after everyone eats. How could I forget the desserts: a variety of pies including apple, pumpkin, pecan, and more. If you aren’t into pies, you might enjoy less popular desserts, such as sweet potato casserole or cheesecake. After the day is over, you’re stuffed and will probably have the best sleep of the year.
This is a pretty unpopular take, and most people could never put Thanksgiving above Christmas, which is understandable. For me, the simple nature of Thanksgiving puts it above the stressful Christmas season. It’s a holiday that invites people to enjoy the beauty of life’s small joys and involves culture and tradition. As a reminder of thankfulness and family, Thanksgiving takes my spot for the most cherished holiday, highlighting an emphasis on togetherness and delicious meals.
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