That's right, it's that time of the year again. Stores are beginning to adorn themselves with red and green while Thanksgiving gets looked over like the canned cranberries that can't seem to find any love from those surrounding the table.
Fortunately for you, there is still time to adjust your holiday compass towards Turkey Day and appreciate what I believe is one of the most underrated of holidays. You might ask why you should look forward to Thanksgiving, especially since the big jolly guy will soon make his way down your chimney. Well it's a good thing you asked, because I'm here to tell you why.
1. It serves as an excuse to engorge yourself with carbs.
Who doesn't love to eat? Thanksgiving offers an acceptable atmosphere to please your gluttonous side with a massive selection food that is found only once a year.
2. You don't have to worry about buying anyone gifts.
Let's be honest here, you probably didn't have enough money anyway. Luckily, this is one occasion where your presence alone will be enough.
3. It's a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the holy grails of holiday sales.
There's no other time of the year where you can "acceptably" go from thankful to greedy in a span of a few hours. Be safe!
4. The dessert game is on point.
Thanksgiving might be the pinnacle of pumpkin flavored treats. In addition, the abundance of pies will be enough to spike everyone's blood sugar.
5. The Macy's Day Parade and Thanksgiving Football occupy television sets across America.
With all the energy put into cooking, organizing, and eating, these two traditions offer some relaxation from the madness.
6. Leftovers.
If you think Thanksgiving dinner is good the first time, try the second, and the third, and the fourth.
7. Thanksgiving provides a much needed break before the arrival of finals week.
Take some time to mentally unwind before you sell your sanity right back to your school.
8. The oh-so-common Thanksgiving nap.
Whether it is after the meal, before you eat dessert, or at another time of your choosing, nothing feels better than falling into a food coma to recover from such a large dinner.
9. Sweatpants and other forms of elastic are encouraged.
Zippers? Buttons? Denim? Forget about it. Comfort is a necessity on this Thursday.
10. Which is it, the Tryptophan or the carbs?
Someone is bound to bring up the mystery that has plagued Thanksgiving since its inception.
11. The mysterious family member.
Your third cousin twice-removed on you grandmother's dad's side is bound to be there, and you will most likely have no idea who they are, but they will somehow know a whole lot about you.
12. The kiddie table.
There is bound to come a time where you will find yourself seated at the kid's table. Does this mean you get to act as if you are back in your childhood? Or is your placement there a result of you acting like a child? Proceed with caution.
13. Thanksgiving brings families together.
Even the most distant of families will find time to gather around the table with the ones they love.
14. Thanksgiving shows us the true meaning of being thankful.
Spending an evening with food and family shows us what truly matters, the simple things that often get overlooked in our everyday lives.
This Thanksgiving, be sure to take a moment and acknowledge all that you have to be thankful for. What may seem insignificant could be something missing in the life of another. Be sure to remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving as your carve the turkey this holiday season.