This Thanksgiving, Be Thankful and Give Back | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

This Thanksgiving, Be Thankful and Give Back

There are a lot of people who aren't as lucky as you.

43
This Thanksgiving, Be Thankful and Give Back
R Witherspoon

I want you to imagine what your perfect Thanksgiving sounds like, smells like, and looks like.

For me, it's Thanksgiving with both sides of my family. It's getting up early in the morning to get ready, then heading to my father's parents. We will have our traditional Thanksgiving Day brunch, complete with ham, fruits, potatoes, and an assortment of danishes and rolls. After brunch, we all gather around in the living room and talk for a few hours.

At some point before 1 pm, we head to my mother's family. Walking in the door, you're stuck in the entryway hugging and talking to people for a good ten minutes before finally being able to head to the kitchen and help out. Lunch consists of both ham and turkey, every vegetable you can name, pies galore, and an assortment of finger foods. The day is complete with laughing, fooling around, and maybe a round of ping-pong or two.

Everyone's Thanksgiving is different. I'm sure what you pictured as your perfect holiday is different from mine. However, some people's are drastically different.

For some, Thanksgiving is filled with dread at the idea of not having a family to go to or having to deal with the notion that their family has abandoned them. Others are living on the streets, dreaming of having a decent meal for once, especially on a day that is supposed to be filled with good food. Maybe someone is spending Thanksgiving alone for the first time. Unfortunately, some are having to work on this day and be away from their family.

There are many reasons that someone may not have the best Thanksgiving in the world. However, if you do have the perfect day, I want you to consider a few things to think about and a few more ways for you to get involved and help make someone else's day better.

First off, I want you to think about what you would feel like if you didn't have that perfect day. Chances are, you would feel like crap. I want you to consider this and use it as a tool to push yourself to do good for others.

Next, I want you to think about ways you can do good this Thanksgiving. To help you out, I've included a list below.

1. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen and serve the homeless or less fortunate a warm meal.

2. Give money to the person with the cardboard sign. Better yet, take him or her somewhere and buy them some necessities, like toiletry products, clothes, or food.

3. Spend your time at a homeless shelter to help out the staff that cannot do it all all of the time.

4. Invite your elderly neighbor who lives alone to join your family for Thanksgiving, or even just send them a holiday card.

5. If you go to any store for any reason on Thanksgiving, be extra courteous to those who are working.

6. Donate any extra canned or non-perishable foods to your local food pantry.

7. If you have any extra warm winter clothes, consider giving them to nonprofits who donate them to needy families or those who are homeless.

Essentially, I know that you want to spend Thanksgiving in the perfect way with your family and loved ones. I understand. But there are those out there who are less fortunate than you or I.

Consider doing one of the above items from the list, or even one you thought of yourself, all in the idea that this Thanksgiving, realize you're pretty darn lucky and help those who aren't.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

14911
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

315801
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

29036
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

9591
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less
Old school ghetto blaster sat on the floor
8tracks radio

We all scroll through the radio stations in the car every once in a while, whether its because we lost signal to our favorite one or we are just bored with the same ol' songs every day. You know when you're going through and you hear a song where you're just like "I forgot this existed!" and before you know it, you're singing every word? Yeah, me too. Like, 95% of the time. If you're like me and LOVE some good throwback music, here's a list of songs from every genre that have gotten lost in time, but never truly forgotten.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments