Ah, Thanksgiving.
It's that time of year again, where we gather around the dinner table, surround ourselves with family, and drown our sorrows with the warm comforts of gravy. It's probably the only time where we voluntarily consume turkey, and it's been an American tradition since the Plymouth colonists and Native Americans got together and threw the OG dinner party. Most importantly, it allows us to reflect on what the year has brought, and realize what we're truly thankful for.
But living in the shadows of it's successful and favored older sibling is Friendsgiving, a sub-holiday that is exactly what the name implies. During Friendsgiving, we celebrate and give thanks with our chosen family, the people that help us through the ups and downs, bring us happiness, and provide a shoulder to lean on. Your friends love you as if you were family, so why not celebrate with them too? Here are 4 reasons why we all need Friendsgiving:
1. Friendsgiving shows how important your friendships truly are:
Friends are our chosen family. When you gather to have dinner on Friendsgiving, it puts the importance of your friendships into perspective. You all willingly came together, because you genuinely love each other, and want to celebrate the relationships you have. Friendship — truefriendship — is rare to find.
2. Friendsgiving helps relieve the pressures of Thanksgiving with family:
During Thanksgiving with our families, you come together because that's what families do. Personally, I love Thanksgiving with my family. But for others, it can be pretty stressful and it feels like an obligation, rather than a family bonding experience. Whether it's because of long-standing feuds, problems with acceptance, or conflicting values, not all families can gather peacefully. But Friendsgiving is spent with the people you choose to be with, and therefore, family discomforts can be avoided.
3. Different foods from different cultures:
Friends come from different backgrounds and walks of life. They can all bring something unique to the dinner table, whether that be in the form of food, or even just conversation. Embracing the diversity among your friends can be enlightening and fun. Most importantly, it brings you even closer together.
4. Friendsgiving is more flexible:
Thanksgiving is a set holiday that only happens on one day of the year. Friendsgiving is a lot less pressure, because you can basically schedule it whenever you want. This gets rid of all the pressures of Thanksgiving, like the need to impress with the perfect turkey or finest china. Friendsgiving is spent with your friends, who honestly, probably don't care if they eat off paper plates. Your friends know what to expect from you, so you shouldn't feel the need to keep up appearances.
The holidays are a time to celebrate the people in your life. What better way to start off the season with Friendsgiving? Sure, it's something fun to share on social media, but at the heart of it, Friendsgiving is actually a way to show your friends you love them. It also serves as a reminder that you've made it through another year together. Although things have probably changed, your love and friendship have stayed the same. And it's comforting to know that you'll make it through to next year, with them by your side.
