Thanksgiving is a time for family, a time for reflection, and a time for stuffing your face! One of the best parts about Thanksgiving is the wacky and interesting family traditions. Some family traditions span generations, while others are fairly new.

         More classic traditions include breaking the wishbone of the turkey; the main dish of the Thanksgiving meal. In addition to basic elements of Thanksgiving, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an integral part of Thanksgiving. As families around America begin preparations for their feast, they watch iconic characters such as Snoopy, Felix The Cat, and Mickey Mouse float down the street along with performances from Broadway and popular musical artists. After the parade, many families indulge in a full day of football!

         Some families have added traditions to this list. One tradition families embrace is using tablecloth every Thanksgiving and adding to it each year. Families may finger paint a hand turkey on the tablecloth, or leave their mark on it in some other way. Over the years, the tablecloth changes and becomes a family tradition, and eventually a piece of art.

         Football in the backyard is also a popular tradition. Kids playing with their parents and families enjoying each other is a great way to spend a holiday! Along with playing football with your parents, your extended family may meet up at a great grandparent’s house and share the holiday time with one another.

         Some more unique traditions include original Thanksgiving food. Some families choose to ditch the traditional turkey, and go for more original Thanksgiving foods, such as enchiladas. Some families will watch a certain show or movie on Thanksgiving day. Traditions are not meant to be the same, which is what gives them meaning to those who uphold them. Each family is different and with that, comes new traditions. One family may be very traditional, opting for the classic turkey and gravy, while another family is eccentric, and opts for curry, while another family may eat dessert first! Thanksgiving is a time for family, and families are weird, but that is what make them so great!

         My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is waiting for the first Christmas chimerical. It is fun to see the Christmas chemicals start to roll in. This signals a change in atmosphere; it is no longer Thanksgiving, it is now Christmas!

         Whether your family tradition is waiting until grandpa falls asleep in his recliner, or eating enchiladas, every tradition is unique in its own way, and that is what makes Thanksgiving so much fun! The parade, our president pardoning a turkey, the football, and delicious cooking made this Thanksgiving a great holiday!