It’s officially November, and that can only mean one thing…Thanksgiving is around the corner! Along with Thanksgiving comes the many traditions that come with it. From a turkey trot around the neighborhood, to breaking a wishbone for good luck, each family has traditions that make their Thanksgiving memorable to them.
A common tradition in many families is as simple as the dishes that they make. Food is something that brings people together, and many bonds are made when making the various components of the dishes. Many popular dishes include pumpkin pie, apple pie, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course, the turkey. IB sophomore Tanvi Kundarapu, talked about the dishes she and her family make together. “Every year me and my family stay up the night before and bake different types of pies. We make one of everyone’s favorite pies, so we make pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. It is always my favorite thing to do, and it makes my Thanksgiving memorable for me.”
Another tradition that is commonly done among friend groups is the infamous friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is a modern twist on the traditional Thanksgiving celebration, where friends come together to share a festive meal together. Many friendsgiving features potlucks, games, and just a good time in general! IB sophomore Arya Patel reminisced on her friendsgiving from last year. “Last year me and a bunch of my friends did a huge friendsgiving. It was basically a potluck where we sent out a google sheets a couple of weeks before and everyone signed up for one thing to bring. We tried to make it like those board nights you see on TikTok, and I brought a fruit board. It was so much fun and the decor turned out so cute.” Friendsgiving focuses on thankfulness among friendships and expressing gratitude for the friends in your life. Whether it’s a small group or a large gathering, friendsgiving is an enjoyable time to get together with your friends during the Thanksgiving season.
There is no better time than Thanksgiving to give back to the less fortunate as well. Another tradition many families incorporate in their long list of Thanksgiving to-do’s is to give back to their community. Families may do this by volunteering at a soup kitchen, or visiting a nursing home, organizing a charity drive. It’s a great way to truly embody the meaning of Thanksgiving and to appreciate the aspects of your life that other people are not as fortunate to have.
An annual turkey trot could also be part of your Thanksgiving list. A “turkey trot” is a fun run that normally takes place around Thanksgiving, where participants often dress in festive, turkey-themed attire. Turkey trots can range from a 5K to a more laid back stroll, either way encouraging participants of all ages to come together and get their steps in before indulging in their big Thanksgiving meal.. Many people join turkey trots to give back, as these events often support local charities and food banks, further adding to the spirit of thankfulness and giving back.
Thanksgiving is not all about the meal, it is a time to come together with your family and friends and to be grateful for the aspects of your life you may not appreciate on a daily basis. Even if your family does not have any traditions, take this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to make new traditions that can be carried on to your future generations. No matter how you celebrate your Thanksgiving, we hope it is filled with lots of love, laughter, bonding, and most importantly, some good food!