Thanksgiving is rolling around quickly! It’s the holiday some people wait for all year. Landing on the fourth Thursday of every November, traditionally, Thanksgiving is celebrated with food and loved ones, but many people spend this time of the year in many different ways.
A normal Thanksgiving day for Ricky Barnes, a junior at University Academy, is “waking up and mainly just chilling until it’s time to go to family members.” Barnes said if he’s not getting ready for the day, then he’s helping cook the whole day.
Since Thanksgiving is the holiday for love and giving thanks, some people contribute by helping out, while others hold out on helping.
Barnes said he mainly eats on Thanksgiving rather than contribute. On the other hand, University Academy Foundation’s Director of Scholarship Programs Ms. Tamra Gibson is in her third year of being more helpful.
Thanksgiving is spent in a lot of different ways depending on the family or person and can vary over the years. Some people host Thanksgiving, while some travel and spend it at others’ homes. Most people spend this day with loved ones and bond over a nice meal put together.
Ms. Gibson said, “This year for Thanksgiving, I’m actually going to be hosting my family, so everybody’s coming over … and we’re just going to hang out, eat, talk, laugh, probably play some spades, some board games and do a little karaoke.”
Barnes, on the other hand, will be taking a trip to Texas so he can visit the rest of his family.
Over the years, Thanksgiving has been the time of the year to give and receive thanks. There have always been traditional ways people show their love and thanks.
Since this is very traditional, a lot of families come up with their own traditions that get passed down from generation to generation. For example, some people do friendsgiving (Thanksgiving with friends), share what they’re thankful for or simply eat a turkey every year.
Some may say the food is the best part on Thanksgiving. The food that gets cooked and eaten just depends on culture and where people come from. Regardless of what it may be, everyone has a favorite dish.
Khy’Air Tounzell-Turner, a UA junior, said, “Sweet potatoes are my favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving.”
Barnes and Ms. Gibson agreed on that being the best Thanksgiving dish, as well.
This holiday goes all the way back to 1621, so there are many different memories and traditions that have transpired through all of these years.
Tounzell-Turner’s favorite memory of Thanksgiving is the last one he got to spend with his grandmother. This is a very special memory for him.
Remember to give thanks as we bring in this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
