We all know that right after Halloween, all the Christmas decorations come out in stores and in houses. What about that special American holiday in November? Why do we not put as much effort into Thanksgiving? It is such an underrated holiday, and I think it deserves a little more recognition. Here are some reasons why Thanksgiving is my favorite!

1. Family

This one is pretty obvious. Yes, it has been nice to be on my own, surrounded by people of similar interests and similar ages, but after all this "adulting," I am tired! For some of us, this has been the first break in a while. I can't wait to feel like a kid again when I go home. My grandma is going to feed me a ridiculous amount of food, and maybe my mom will even rub my back. That's not too optimistic, is it? I think a little distance makes people get along so much better. Whether you or your relatives live 6 hours or 30 minutes away, you realize how valuable your time with your family is when you don't see them every day.

2. Friends

Thanksgiving break = no school, and I plan to use this to my full advantage. I have so much to catch up on with my friends, and this is the perfect time to do so. All my friends away at college get to come home, and my high school friends get school off too. I love my new college friends, but of course I miss the high school gang. Our inside jokes haven't been used in a while, but that's about to change!

3. I have interesting stories to tell!

I've been doing my own thing for a while, and I'm sure when I get back there will be a boatload of questions for me to answer, but I'm actually okay with that. I have unique stories and experiences that my friends and family want to hear, and I'll try to remember my best stories. It is a nice feeling when people care about what you have to say. So when people ask me, "how's school?" I will have more to say than just "good."

4. It's not finals week...

You might be saying, "Wait, what about Christmas break, you get to go home then too." Thanksgiving break is less stress because it just happens. For Christmas break, you have to stress, study and survive finals week to earn your break. I appreciate the nonchalant attitude of the week before Thanksgiving break because I know the one before Christmas will be totally different.

5. It is the perfect length of time.

Christmas break is a month long, and while that sounds enticing, I like the length of Thanksgiving break the best. It's a week! Not too long, and not too short. I get to catch up with my family and friends, but I don't feel like I am leaving my college friends and missing out. Plus, it is short enough that I don't have to move all my stuff out of my dorm (which honestly should be another point in itself). That hassle is avoided! You don't want to waste a month of free time, so Christmas break seems like a race to fit in an adventure. I don't feel like I have to do something super cool over the time span of a week, so I get to relax!

6. Say Goodbye to Stress

No worries, be happy! Isn't that what we are all trying to do over break? No tests, homework, time management, or work to think about for just a while. A little free time is much needed in our busy lives. Enjoy it while it lasts!

7. FOOD!

Obviously. There is no shame for the ridiculous amount of food I am going to eat on Thanksgiving because everyone does the same thing! It's great! This will be the first time I haven't had dorm food in a while, so I am extremely excited for not only a home cooked meal, but my grandma's cooking. My dining hall has many options, but none of them compare to a Thanksgiving feast surrounded by my family.

No matter if your reasons for loving Thanksgiving are different from mine, we all have a lot to be thankful for this year and every year. Don't forget that!