With the holiday season approaching fast, it seems that Thanksgiving is the last thing on people's minds. Why is it that once Halloween is over most people jump straight to Christmas? November 1, I saw my first Christmas commercial of the season and it was long before Halloween that my local Target and Walmart began to put up Christmas decorations, but what about Thanksgiving? What about the holiday where we are supposed to be giving thanks for the things we have instead of worrying about the things we want? There are so many reasons why I believe Thanksgiving is underrated and why it is the best holiday. Here are just a few of those reasons.

1. Spending time with family.

While Christmas is also about spending time with your family, Thanksgiving is more relaxed. After not being home since fall break, it's nice to get away from school for a few days and just be surrounded by loved ones.

2. Football.

What's better than stuffing your face for hours and then sitting down and watching football with your family? I'll answer that one for ya'... nothing! This year the Packers are playing the Bears in the Thanksgiving night football game, so you know what I'll be doing (you don't get football games on Christmas).

3. Home cooked food.

At this point in the semester, everyone is tired of dinning hall food. Going home and getting home-made food is the best, and at Thanksgiving, it's all about the food.

4. Variety of food.

From turkey to mashed potatoes, to veggies, to everything pumpkin, everything is offered during Thanksgiving, if you can name a food, it's probably going to be served.

6. No presents involved.

Most people would say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year; however, I beg to differ, Christmas is the most stressful time of the year. Being a college student and working a part time job means that the majority of the time, I am poor. I want to buy my friends and family nice gifts but between my low budget and not knowing what to get people, I end up just stressing myself out and waiting until the last minute to buy gifts.

7. Reflecting on what you’re thankful for.

While this should be done every day, Thanksgiving just brings about a sense of being grateful for what you do have. One seems to value more around the time of Thanksgiving.

8. Leftovers.

If you don't eat leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner for at least a few days, then what are you doing with your life.

9. Long weekend.

Leaving school for Thanksgiving break and knowing you don't have to worry about school for a few days and the only thing you have to worry about is rather or not you're getting seconds (or thirds -- no one's judging) is one of the best feelings in the world. Going from having a hellish amount of work due the week before to nothing is the biggest weight lifted off of ones shoulders.

10. The weather.

Who doesn't love fall? During Thanksgiving, it's not too cold and its not too hot. The weather is perfect for pulling out your favorite sweaters, scarves, and boots. Also, most of the humidity is gone, so for those with curly hair can finally straighten their hair without worrying about it frizzing (as much).

11. Pumpkin rolls.

Thanksgiving involves a lot of pumpkin. Pumpkin pies are typically most people's favorites; however, I believe that pumpkin rolls are way better than pumpkin pies. If I could, I would eat pumpkin rolls all of the time.

12. The “eating pants.”

Believe me, these are a real thing. Whether it is your favorite pair of leggings or even a comfy dress, you have to dress and come prepared for your clothes to be a little tighter once you walk away from the dinner table.

13. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

When I was younger I loved getting up early and watching the parade. All of the floats and balloons are always fun to watch and it's interesting seeing which balloons have returned from the years before and which ones are new.

14. It’s not commercialized.

I can count all of the Thanksgiving commercials I've seen this year on TV on one hand. Thanksgiving is lost among all of the Christmas and Black Friday commercials.

15. Decorating for Christmas the day after.

In my family, we have a tradition of putting up our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, excluding our Christmas tree (that usually waits until I come home for Christmas Break). We spend Friday morning taking everything out of its boxes and cleaning and putting up the decorations and is pretty much the kick of to our Christmas season.

As Thanksgiving approaches, let us all take a moment to think about why we as Americans celebrate this holiday in the first place. Let us be thankful for what we have, and let us be surrounded by family, friends, good food (and football). Let's take the holidays one holiday at a time. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!