Coming up soon on November 28 is Thanksgiving, arguably one of the most underrated holidays out there. Often overshadowed by Christmas, Thanksgiving doesn’t get the hype it deserves. While I admit I am a big Christmas fan myself and will probably begin celebrating earlier than people like, there are plenty of reasons to appreciate Turkey Day. Christmas doesn’t have to be the only holiday to get in the spirit! If you’re lacking ideas for this November, I encourage you to read along and make your extended Thanksgiving celebration extra special. This fall could be your chance to start a new family tradition!
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Starting off strong, a big tradition for many including my own family is to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This balloon show has been going on for quite some time, this year being its 98th anniversary. It seems this spectacle continues to grow in popularity and becomes more impressive each Thanksgiving. This year is expected to be the biggest parade to date, with 17 character balloons and around 5,000 volunteers marching down the streets of Manhattan. Some notable favorites from last year include the Snoopy and Spiderman balloons.
Turkey Day Trot
Up next and one of the best Thanksgiving traditions is the Turkey Trot. This 5k (3.1 miles) is a fun outdoor activity to do with family or friends. Not only are you preparing yourself to guiltlessly eat a full Thanksgiving meal, but you are also supporting a good cause, as the funds for the race are donated to support local charities. Held on Thanksgiving day, the race starts at Marion Square and continues through downtown Charleston, passing historic buildings along the way. It ends back at Marion Square where there are vendors with plenty of food and drinks. Here is the link to the website, so check it out if you are interested!
Black Friday Sale
Another huge event just the day after Thanksgiving is the Black Friday sale. While this is usually thought of more as a time to prepare for Christmas, it falls in the month of November; so for the purposes of this article, I will give this one to Thanksgiving. Although this infamously hectic day is a stressful time for many, it’s a great excuse to grab those items you’ve been waiting to go on sale. According to online sources, some of the most purchased items on this day are phones, smartwatches, laptops and TVs.
Breaking of the Wishbone
On the other hand, a simpler Thanksgiving day tradition is the breaking of a wishbone. Unlike these other events, breaking the wishbone is definitely less publicized. Typically, two people hold either end of the turkey collarbone, a.k.a the wishbone, and they both pull at the same time. The myth goes that, once the bone breaks, whoever of the two people is holding the larger piece “wins,” and they will have good fortune or their wish will come true. Like many things, people believe this tradition began with the Romans and was eventually brought to America by the inventors of Thanksgiving themselves, the Pilgrims.
Baking pies!
A common turkey day dessert, pies are the cornerstone of a complete Thanksgiving meal. Ranging from a wide variety of fillings including cinnamon apple, cherry, and sweet potato, there is definitely a pie for everyone. While pies are super
delicious, eating them is only half the fun. Making the filling and cutting dough to make lattice or another unique design on top is just as enjoyable. Plus, it will taste even better when you have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself. The most common Thanksgiving pies are usually pumpkin and pecan, but it never hurts to get creative and bring something different!
Watch the National Dog Show
After watching the Macy’s Day Parade, the entertainment doesn’t stop there- on TV right after is the National Dog Show! If you have never really watched this program, I certainly recommend you do so. With so many adorable dogs it’s honestly hard to choose a favorite. From the tiny, fluffy pomeranians in the Toy Group to the massive but sweet Great Danes in the Working Group, there are so many breeds to root for. If you’re an animal lover who isn’t too busy prepping food for night, why stop the Thanksgiving celebration early?
The Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions
If dog shows aren’t your thing, football is another popular form of entertainment on Thanksgiving. Traditionally, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play each other on Thanksgiving day, and who doesn’t love to watch a game of football- unless you’re a Cowboys fan (rip Dak).
Movie Releases
If you are more into the theater experience, this may be the tradition for you. Another common occurrence is the release of Blockbuster movies on Thanksgiving day. Included in this year’s lineup are the movies Moana 2, Wicked, Gladiator 2, and Red 1. This could be a great way to continue the celebration after a great meal, although you might be too stuffed for movie theater candy.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Last but certainly not least, an absolute classic, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. There are certainly a lot of traditions involving watching TV, but this one is a must. I mean come on, the scene where Snoopy is making everyone what turns out to be a very non traditional Thanksgiving meal never gets old. If you have never seen this little movie before, what are you doing? Go watch it, Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away!
All in all, you really don’t have any excuses not to lean into the Thanksgiving celebrations this year. While most of these traditions occur on the actual day, you can spend the weeks leading up planning ahead and getting excited for your eventful day. Thanks for reading my article! I hope y’all have an amazing Thanksgiving spent with the ones you love, and of course, don’t forget the most important tradition of all- to be thankful!
