What Do The Holidays Actually Mean? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What Do The Holidays Actually Mean?

Let the awkward conversations and judgemental looks ensue.

301
What Do The Holidays Actually Mean?
Personal photo

1 month until Thanksgiving, 2 months and 3 days until Christmas and 70 days until New Years.

This means that we will be seeing family member after family member, especially the ones we try to avoid the most. Let the awkward conversations and judgmental looks ensue.

So let's begin:

You walk into the house on Thanksgiving and are immediately met with the smell of stuffing and turkey and cornered by family members looking for hugs and kisses that leave lipstick marks on your squeezable cheeks.

Once you, your siblings and your parents make it through the line of people, you sit on the sofa in the man cave where the guys are watching the game or sit awkwardly in the living room with your siblings in a room with your first and second cousins. You have never been so happy to not be an only child.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/inthe-arena/23104932075

Shortly, the food is ready and you take a seat at the "kids" table, even though you are in college, hopefully near a sibling because you have someone to pass you the food you want without you having to ask. It's also easier because sometimes you have no idea what your cousin's boyfriend's name is, which makes it very hard when you want the cornbread that's right in front of them.

Lucky for you, not much talking happens during the meal. Only polite pleasantries as the green beans are passed around, appreciation/compliments of the food and the occasional talk of sports or school with your cousins, the ones you're comfortable with. Following the main meal, as a "kid", who did not help set the table or cook the food that the adults "slaved" over for hours, you have to clear the table and do the dishes. Now, this does not just mean tossing all the dishes in the dishwasher, assuming whoever's hosting is lucky enough to have one. This means, taking every single dish off the table, then sorting leftovers into different containers based on what people want. And if it takes you less than 45 minutes, you did something wrong.

Finally, you can sit down, just in time for dessert, which is when the real conversations start. All the guys have returned to watch the games and the ladies, plus whatever boys don't want to watch the game, sit around the table. Questions begin to spitfire out of your auntie's mouth, then your great aunt's mouth and before you know it, even your parents are asking questions.

Family member: How's school going? How are your grades? Making friends? Making any guy friends? Any boyfriends? *eye roll*

You: No matter how bad school really is, you put on a smile and talk about your best subject which at this point might be the one class that your grade is above an 80. And of course, you befriended everyone on your dorm floor and yes, guys live there. Also, most of them are unattractive and the ones that are, usually have girlfriends or boyfriends.

Family member: But you're so pretty and sweet.

You: just smile and nod.

After a couple of hours of this, you made it through Thanksgiving, but in another month, you'll be doing it again for Christmas. This time, with the other side of the family, which if you're lucky, has lived near you your whole life, so they know everything about you already.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1341
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2753
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2811
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments