Thanksgiving is a great time for traditions. Traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. These are more obvious traditions, but it is the more personal traditions that make the holiday one of my favorites. Not only do I hope to create my own traditions one day, there is one I hope to continue for a really long time.

Ever since I was little, my aunt and uncle always took me to Chicago the day after Thanksgiving. Yes, this is the day that is known for crazy shoppers and the best sales, and it’s not exactly Thanksgiving related, but it is something I hold near and dear to my heart. We’ve been going to Chicago on Black Friday since I was about four years old, and it’s always been a tradition I have looked forward to.

First thing we would do after checking into our hotel was go galavanting around the city to see the windows at Macy’s, go grab some Garrett’s Popcorn, and check out Navy Pier. If we were lucky enough, Build-A-Bear at Navy Pier had these cute little seasonal animals that we could build. For dinner, we always went to our favorite restaurant called Dick’s Last Resort. A restaurant that allowed you to throw napkins at other customers and be rude to the waitstaff who made you hilariously insulting paper hats. It was such a fun environment to be in!

After we got done with dinner, we always went to the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Zoo Lights. The entire zoo was lit up with lights, covering the grass, and hung from the trees and lit up the outdoor exhibits. There was also ice sculptures being carved and a place to take pictures with Santa Claus. In one of the buildings, there was a station for crafts where you could make little ornaments or cute little Christmas cards.

The next day, we always went out to breakfast. There was never a specific place we liked to go because for breakfast we liked to mix it up a bit. We always did a little bit of shopping because some things you just couldn’t get back in South Bend. My aunt loved to go to Daley Plaza and see the lit tree and to shop around Christkindl Market so we did that every year as well.

Even though it was Black Friday and there were deals all around, we never spent too much time in the stores, which is something I’m extra grateful for. It’s easy to get caught up in the deals of the season and fighting to be the person with the newest technology or the most clothes. I’ve never been this person.

I think that growing up with a tradition like this has helped me realize what I want the holiday season to be about. When I was younger, of course, I got so excited about catching Santa Claus putting our presents under the tree and wishing I got exactly what I asked for. As an adult, I have realized that I am beyond grateful to have a family that wanted to create these traditions. I am grateful to have a family that cares enough about me to make sure I got to experience things outside the four walls of my own home. I have known for a long time that the holiday season was never about the gifts or deals. I always felt like the holiday season was something much more. It was a time to be surrounded by the people who want to create traditions for you, and people who want to put a little extra on your plate so they know you’re good and full. Because of these traditions, I get to experience the holiday season the only way I would want to: surrounded by a family I would not trade for the world.