Thanksgiving, notorious for time well spent with the people who shed incomparable light on our lives, is tethered to diverse traditions we have adopted throughout our lives.
For this reason, Thanksgiving has single-handedly secured its position as my favorite holiday, surpassing all others in significance and charm.
My family has always served as the “host house” for this specific time of year. Though many of my extended relatives live within a near radius, within neighboring cities of Charlotte or the minute drive of Knoxville Tennessee, the excitement stemming from awaiting their arrival is unparalleled.
The witty anecdote, “there’s too many cooks in the kitchen,” rings true within my house, in a comically literal sense. The comforting chaos of cousins of all ages yearning to assist with the cultivation of the Thanksgiving feast, the worry of not having enough dishes to plate each offering, or the rush to find enough seats to accommodate every family member is consoling in its nature.
One tradition that I find most endearing among my family is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, while each member of my family gradually trickles downstairs to join. As we gather in the living room, my dad takes on the responsibility of serving homemade bacon and cheddar croissants, preparing to begin his Thanksgiving feast duties shortly.
After the conclusion of dinner, we all congregate in the living room once more to indulge in homemade pumpkin and apple pie, while watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
Each of these traditions has served as a pinnacle of my childhood. Undoubtedly, they will be shared among my family when I am grown. This emphasizes the potency of childhood traditions in shaping our holiday aspirations, memories, and experiences.
Curious to become accustomed to my Green Level peer’s most cherished Thanksgiving traditions, I asked a few eager students about ways in which they will celebrate this upcoming holiday.
Freshman Katie Hummel and Senior Sawyer Backus both agree that the most meaningful element surrounding this specific time of year is the time spent with the ones we love abundantly. Hummel states, “Having designated time to spend with family and connect after periods of separation has always been the highlight of this holiday for me. We always have a lot of family coming together. I always cherish this time because everyone is dispersed around the country so this is just a time we have together all in one place.”
A common priority of students found across the demographic of Green Level is to set aside time to reconnect with family and close friends, defying all obstacles of distance or separation.
Recalling a cherished tradition, Backus emphasizes the significance of homemade dishes. He states, “My mom makes these really special potatoes that have a way of reminding me of the holiday. In general, the cooking festivities are a very special memory.”
As discerned by our vibrant student life, turkey and time together, spent in the comfortable chaos of the holiday season, is not only the most memorable facet but the most anticipated part of this set season.
