Though Thanksgiving may be overlooked, it is still a holiday meant to be spent with loved ones. Whether that’s family or friends, students have the opportunity to share what they are most grateful for and reflect on the important people in their lives.
Nearly 83% of Americans celebrate the holiday, yet celebrations may look different in every household. Here are seven Thanksgiving traditions to spice up students' next holiday gathering and bring something new to their dinner table.
Friendsgiving
The goal of a “Friendsgiving” is to spend quality time with close friends since college students might choose to prioritize family back home on Thanksgiving day.
Some may take inspiration from the popular film, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” since the characters gather around the table together and share a meal of toast, jelly beans, pretzels and popcorn. Whether that’s a student’s meal of choice, the options are endless.
Picture this: a large group of friends around a table sharing a meal and giving thanks for the little things in life. This tradition is bound to give students a new perspective on just how important friendship is in their daily routine.
Turkey Trot
Some people may not want to run on Thanksgiving, especially on a holiday where people tend to relax. But let’s face it, Turkey Trots are fun and what better way to for students to spend Thanksgiving morning than to run 5K a race in a holiday costume with their family?
These races vary in length and even causes they support. Some trots support charities and others are simply just for fun. Regardless of the motivation, they bring community and family together.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
At 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, the Macy’s parade begins. This parade takes place in New York City and is filled with live performances, from singers on Broadway, character balloons and a special appearance from Santa Claus at the end. You will even catch USC's band, the Mighty Sound of the Southeast marching through the streets. Last year, the parade generated 28.5 million views.
Watching the parade in pajamas with family is a great way to relax in the morning. It is an opportunity to come together and enjoy a cherished program loved by millions around the country. This tradition will give students a few hours of much needed tranquility before the chaos of holiday cooking begins.
Saying What You’re Grateful For
When many families sit down for their Thanksgiving meal, they might go around the table and say what they are thankful for that year. These answers might include friends, family or even the food on the table in front of them. Regardless of the answer, the idea of giving thanks is essential to the holiday.
Saying what you are thankful for is a tradition that packs a lot of punch because it opens the door for deeper level conversations at the dinner table. We live in an era where people might take certain things for granted and this can help students and their families combat that.
The Wishbone
Tucked away in between the neck and the breast is a turkey's wishbone. When carving a turkey, this good luck symbol should not be overlooked.
The superstition is simple: two people make a wish and grab the different ends of the wishbone. They pull in opposite directs in order to break the wishbone apart. According to tradition, it is said that the person with the larger piece of bone will have their wish come true.
This tradition has been around for thousands of years and may even go back to the ancient Etruscan civilizations. Some may not believe in the wishbone's powers, but regardless, it is a fun way for students to end their Thanksgiving meal.
Putting Up the Christmas Tree
There is always a debate about when the Christmas season starts. Whether students think it is after Halloween or Dec. 1, this tradition is a great way to compromise.
After the last slices of pumpkin pie has been eaten, the leftovers are tucked into the fridge and the last dish has been washed, start bringing in those dusty Christmas boxes. Set up the Christmas tree with family to welcome the Christmas season together with the warm spirits.
Black Friday Shopping
We've all seen the videos of shoppers scrambling into stores to snag their anticipated Black Friday deals. This "holiday" immediately follows Thanksgiving and is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Stores will offer deals and discounted prices. For many, their shopping doesn't wait until Friday and staying up all night has become essential to their Thanksgiving celebration.
Needing to get out of the house? Feeling cramped with that one aunt who asks too many invasive questions or maybe you're tired of hearing your baby cousin's iPad at full volume?
Midnight Black Friday shopping is the perfect escape.
Thanksgiving traditions can bring students and their loved ones closer together. These traditions are a great way to change up how families and friends celebrate.