Thanksgiving 2024 is fast approaching, and I can’t help but be excited for good food, great company, and traditions to celebrate! Whether it is splitting the wishbone, running a turkey trot, watching a game of football, or making an elaborate green bean casserole, a turkey celebration is unique to every family.
Here I will be sharing some of the fun Thanksgiving traditions that me and my family take part in. We are a big fan of Thanksgiving games, decadent dishes, and an overall great day with family. Gather the gang and kick off the holiday season with me and my family for the Turkey Day celebration!
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Magnificent
One of my most cherished Thanksgiving Day traditions is to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade right when I get out of bed in the morning. The Macy’s Day Parade has always been a staple annual Thanksgiving activity my entire life. Having lived in multiple cities in the US and various in housing arrangements, this tradition has always kept me rooted in the feeling of home.
The Parade is always so nostalgic in that it brings familiarity and surprises! I always look forward to the Charlie Brown, Pikachu, Snoopy, and Kermit balloons floating through the streets of Manhattan. The surprises always come from listening to the NBC hosts talk about the history of the balloons and seeing new balloons that I am unfamiliar with.
As a former marching band member, I get really enthusiastic about the band performances in front of Macy’s. I start to vividly imagine myself playing my trumpet with my fellow band members during the parade. The thoughts give me chills! The marching bands who perform at the Parade are so talented and the music they play is so fun to listen to.
Watching the Parade is the calm before the Thanksgiving storm for me. Most years, I am on the couch watching the TV alone, enjoying a relaxing morning before the long, busy, and fun day ahead.
Festive Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is a time for me and my family to show off our cooking skills! Me and my family always manage to cook some delicious food the whole family will enjoy. Bringing something new to the table or whipping up a family favorite is always something to look forward to for Thanksgiving dinner.
For the last eight years, I have been a vegetarian, which usually means two things: I am usually in charge of bringing my own protein, and I might need to bring a side the whole family can enjoy. No problem! Being in the kitchen is a great chance for me to get creative and maybe try something new!
My Thanksgiving contributions aren’t always the most traditional. I might make black bean tacos or sweet potato burritos to ensure I get my protein in. To switch it up a bit, I often visit the Bon Appetite website to try a new delicious dish to cook up! From there, it’s a sprint to get my recipes cooked, with high hopes that I didn’t forget any ingredients on my grocery list because the stores are tremendously busy on Turkey Day.
Sharing A Family Feast
With the festive Thanksgiving recipes finished in harmony and the family gathered around the table, we can give thanks to the hard work in the kitchen and to those who made it to the big meal! My family is spread across multiple cities and states, so getting together for the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the few times (if not the only time) during the year we can enjoy each other’s company.
Without fail, everyone will immediately start complementing the dishes everyone brought as we start digging into our plates. My aunts usually bring out some of the more traditional Thanksgiving meal sides, such as the stuffing, cranberries, gravy, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. Another aunt of mine is an incredible baker who never fails to make my grandmother’s tasty pumpkin pie for dessert.
This time is so special to me because I get to spend time with my young cousins, who grow up so fast, and reconnect with my great aunts and uncles who live in Arizona. My parents live out of the state, so having them come to visit is always a treat, as it allows me to show them around San Francisco when they visit.
Thanksgiving Game Throwdown
After a hearty Thanksgiving meal, my family plays board games together for a little friendly competition! A few family favorites of ours are Aggravation (like Sorry) or a fierce game of Uno. We try and keep to the games that are something everyone can enjoy, from my youngest cousin, to my 75 year old grandfather. I like to take this chance to teach my young cousins some rules and keep them from being the cutest cheaters you have ever seen. One day, I hope to bring my family to Reason for a chance to see them in action at the best escape room in San Francisco.
After a few games, if there is still light out, we will all go take a walk to a nearby park or through my aunt’s neighborhood in Ingleside. Inevitably, every year, my grandfather will exclaim, “Tryptophan!” signifying that he is tired and needs to go back home and rest. We then make sure to remind him that Tryptophan causing drowsiness is just a myth, and he’s only worn out from chasing around grandchildren.
Turkey Day Tap Out
Over the years, Thanksgiving celebrations in my life have evolved and taken many shapes, from hosting a Friendsgiving to enjoying different traditions with unique families and friend groups. Some of the best Thanksgiving traditions year after year have been spending time with family and creating memories over a shared meal we all shared.