Now that October break is behind us, you have to admit that your thoughts have began turning to the next time you will return home: Thanksgiving. This may be jumping the gun a bit, especially since Thanksgiving isn’t for over a month, but let’s be real: Thanksgiving is more than just an all-you-can eat, all you can-drink day of festivities. Here are five reasons why Thanksgiving is the most overwhelmingly exciting holidays we celebrate as a country:
1. The Meal
If you don’t look forward to the Thanksgiving meal, you’re either lying or crazy. Whether it’s mom’s famous twice-baked potatoes, grandma’s apple pie, or the enormous turkey weighing down the center of the table, I think the majority of us can agree that Thanksgiving food is by far the highlight of every autumn. This is one of the few meals where no one judges how much you eat or how many calories you inhale in one sitting. So, unbutton those pants or grab your loosest dress, because it’s feeding time!
2. Black Friday
The post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas shopping stampede deserves a category of its own. Although Black Friday is a day full of vicious, hunter-gather-like consumers out for blood, it really is a great time to start your holiday shopping. Thousands of people line up during ungodly hours of the morning just so they can be first in line at the stores. However, while the sales prices are fantastic, you may be risking your life by partaking in this event. But hey: So what if you elbow the woman next to you and give her a bloody nose? Those Bloomingdale’s deals are worth it!
3. The Leftovers
After a typical Thanksgiving meal, you probably feel like you’ve gained at least 50 pounds and swear to yourself you’ll never eat that much food again. Yeah, right! The next evening you’ll probably open the fridge and see the leftover turkey and decide it couldn’t hurt to make a turkey sandwich. Then you see some buttered rolls…and then the mashed potatoes. And then you see the last slice of apple pie. “Shit,” you mutter to yourself while trying hard not to give into temptation. But you know what? Just do it! You take those leftovers! They’re way too good to pass up.
4. Family Time
Amidst all the delicious food, drink, football, and shopping, take a minute and acknowledge the fact that you get to spend this time with your family. You know, once in a while it’s really great just to hang out with them. Although this may sound corny, be thankful (yes, pun intended) for what you have and appreciate those who care about you!
5. Thanksgiving is the Prequel to Christmas or Hanukkah or “Chrismukkuh”
Even though the thought of eating again after Thanksgiving and being surrounded by family can be somewhat nauseating, December is right around the corner. It doesn’t matter if you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah (or for you “OC” lovers, Seth Cohen’s favorite holiday, Chrismukkuh, because more food and presents are on the horizon. So prepare yourselves, folks, because Thanksgiving is really just the “warm-up” for December’s event!Â
[Photo Sources: Weddingpaperdivas.com, CNN]