Thanksgiving traditions

By Erica Xie

Fall is here, and the start of the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving.

“(When I think of Thanksgiving), I think of turkey, football, a potluck and just family coming together,” shares junior Vy Truong.

Thanksgiving is a holiday synonymous with a feast, including, but not limited to turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie that the whole family can enjoy.  This is also a time when families try to get together, even if they are busy or do not get along.

“My siblings and I try to get together at least once a year, but it’s hard since our schedules don’t match,” explains American Government teacher Lynne Murray.

However, not all people celebrate Thanksgiving the same; different cultures have changed the holiday’s traditions.  Many families have mended this day to their tastes, which encompasses the melting pot of ideals that is America.

“Most of my family is in China so we don’t have a big feast.  Instead, we go to my neighbor Lina’s house to eat chicken and other Chinese dishes that my mom makes,” explains senior Angela Du.

The commercialist culture of America also alters the holiday in the form of Black Friday.  Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving that involves some of the biggest sales of the year and some people even include shopping as part of their Thanksgiving traditions.

“It’s sad that some stores open on Thanksgiving so (people) leave Thanksgiving dinner early to work or shop,” laments Angela.  “It takes away from the feeling of giving thanks.”

Others have different views about this day.

“I think (Black Friday’s) great because giving thanks is about thanking all the things that you have, and with Black Friday you can get more things to be thankful about.  Also, on Black Friday (we) usually have a family plan. One person gets a TV, and the other gets a laptop.  So really, it brings our family closer together,” replies senior Jennifer Lai.

Through all the changes, the core of Thanksgiving tradition remains: the concept of giving thanks.

“I’m glad that there’s at least one day in the year where people can come together with their families and give thanks,” maintains Ms. Murray.

So this Thanksgiving, remember to not only eat good food, chat with family members and shop for deals, but to also call up a friend or look your parents in the eye and thank them for all that they’ve done for you.