I don’t know about you, but I love the holiday season! It’s the time of year when people get together to cook delicious food, enjoy their meals, share their love with family or friends, and be thankful for all they have. In truth, I only see major benefits to the holidays: long school break, no work, and a day to just celebrate. When it comes to the holiday season, nothing kicks it off better than Thanksgiving celebration.
Thanksgiving is the day where people fill their bellies to the brim with loads of homemade food and give thanks to those around them. It’s an American tradition–as people like to say–but there are other traditions that families form on Thanksgiving that are just their own. For instance, my family and I have always watched two things live on TV during Thanksgiving: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the annual Cowboys football game.
I know these aren’t necessarily unique family traditions, but I’ve been doing them with my family for as long as I can remember. If we weren’t gathered around the couch with the TV displaying one or the other, then something was definitely wrong. The Macy’s Parade would be the first thing I saw every Thanksgiving morning, playing in the background as my mom prepared the house for the long day ahead. It was the music we needed to keep us on schedule as we cooked and cleaned, inventing a space where I would bond with my immediate family, my mom and I working in the kitchen while my brother helped clean the house. We loved seeing all the different balloon floats and performances that allowed us to come together and recognize that they were all that mattered.
Once the parade finished and started to repeat, the family arrived and our next tradition began. Get out of the way! It was time for the Cowboys game and nothing, not even food could interrupt this. A number of my family members are Cowboys fans, so things get hectic and loud before dinner. Luckily this year was a major success as the Cowboys won against their number one rival, The Giants.
Thanksgiving is the one time of year dedicated to giving thanks and sending blessings. Whether your traditions include sitting around a big table and enjoying your meal with family or watching the parade and game, remember that it’s these moments we should really be thankful for.