Thanksgiving is only a week away, which means it’s time to pack up and head on home for a few days. There are a million reasons why Thanksgiving is so awesome, but here are the five best things about the holiday celebrating Pilgrims and Indians. Those Turkey Day lovers will know what’s up. It’s only one of the most underrated holidays ever.
1. The first thing that makes Thanksgiving such a great holiday is the fact that overeating is acceptable and expected. This is the only holiday where going back for seconds, thirds and fourths does not call for an intervention. Thanksgiving marks the once-a-year occasion where people can eat entire pies or turkeys by themselves, without being judged by society. After slaving away in the kitchen preparing three-course meals, moms and grandmas want people to go back and stuff their faces with more food. Honestly, moms and grandmas would be highly offended if everyone only ate one plate. So, enjoy this time to pig out. No one’s judging you … that harshly. But really, you have a whole day to eat good homecooking. Remember, come Monday it’s back to school.
2. Along with the fact that Thanksgiving is the only occasion for overeating, Thanksgiving is also a day when the “special pants” get taken out from the very back of the closet or drawer and nobody makes fun of them. The heavy duty elastic might be 30 years too late, but when it comes to comfort at the dinner table, those pants you’re pretending you don’t own are the only things that can handle the feast. Circulation won’t be cut off by tight jeans and buttons, and the special pants leave room to grow. At the end of the day, your stomach won’t resent you for trying to squeeze it into a pair of jeans.
3. Thanksgiving in college speak means real food. Yes, for all those who will be making the trip home for a few days, this means that you will finally be able to eat something of variety. Don’t act so surprised at your own motives. Thanksgiving means that you are fed by real home-cooked meals for almost five days. No more mac and cheese, frozen foods or most importantly, Caf food. And maybe your parents will love you enough to make your favorite food during this time. Thanksgiving cannot get any more perfect. You get a whole day of delicious food that’s warm and made with love. Even better, you can snag a few Tupperware containers of leftovers. The fun never has to end. Just remember to tell your mom you appreciate her cooking skills. Maybe during Christmas she’ll let you choose the menu.
4. Turkey Day also marks the beginning of holiday family events. Don’t roll your eyes. As much as you hated family events back in high school, it’s different now that you don’t see your family every single day. Admit it. You get a little sentimental when you reflect back on those family times where everyone made an effort to meet at Grandma’s house to pass around fluffy dishes of mashed potatoes or fresh-out-of-the-oven biscuits. Or even gather around the TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanksgiving is the day where everyone comes together to celebrate and catch up. So what if it means that you get a few lectures here and there about the future? It’s family. And when it comes down to it, that’s what’s most important.
5. Sentimentality aside, the fifth and final best thing about Thanksgiving is that it means Christmas is only a month away. The holiday cheer is in full swing when Thanksgiving comes and, subsequently, goes. Once Thanksgiving and the succeeding food comas pass, it means that it’s time to bring out the tinsel and garlands because it’s Christmastime. Oh, you’re above decorating are you? Scrooge, it’s best you embrace the holiday spirit and decorate. Lights synced to a Justin Bieber holiday song? Oh yeah, it’s happening. The smell of gingerbread wafting through the room? Yes, that means Christmas is almost here. Thanksgiving makes way for Christmas decorating and the countdown to the new year. How better can Thanksgiving get?
So, Waves, go enjoy the mini-holiday. It offers a nice reprieve from the crunch time that defines the end of the semester. And remember, Thanksgiving is just as important as Christmas and deserves to be properly celebrated. Happy Thanksgiving!
