It's finally that time of year again. The apple and cherry pies, the warm, melt-in-your-mouth gravy, stuffing your face with mashed potatoes and turkey, and most importantly, spending time with the ones who love you most.
For many out-of-state freshmen, this may be the first time they've seen their families since their final farewells. For them, Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to go home. There is to-die-for food, and the warmth of family is all around.
Other freshmen may be staying on campus during the holiday or spending Thanksgiving with their family in a place other than home. However, no matter where you decide to spend Thanksgiving, memories can always be made.
Every family has different traditions for the Thanksgiving dinner. Some may be very traditional with the turkey, ham, green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, pies — I mean, the list can go on. Or some may be very casual, like going to a restaurant for a unique holiday dinner. Some families may even order in food from grocery stores or places that offer full Thanksgiving meals; who wouldn’t want to relax from cooking?
There may even be families that simply do not have the traditional turkey dinner and create a meal that represents Thanksgiving to them. If I could change the bird for the meal, I would choose chicken. What does it matter if you change up the meal a little bit? It’s all about family anyway.
Even if your family isn’t spending days in the kitchen creating a magnificent meal, or spending the holiday together at all, there are other ways to create a memorable Thanksgiving here on campus. ASU’s Parents Association hosts a free Thanksgiving meal for students every year. If you’re in the mood to indulge in a delicious meal with pie and all, this is the place to be.
Another tradition that many people enjoy is watching the Thanksgiving Parade on television. For as long as I can remember, I would wake up early every Thanksgiving morning and watch the parade with my sister while my mom was cooking in the kitchen.
There are other ways to celebrate the holiday by giving back to others. Many people will volunteer at soup kitchens or homeless shelters by preparing a Thanksgiving meals or donating non-perishable items. Freshmen staying on campus could volunteer at a kitchen with their friends and then enjoy their own style of a Thanksgiving dinner afterwards.
I cannot count the endless amounts of unique and memorable Thanksgivings that I have spent with my family. From having a dinner at a hotel in Chicago during a snowstorm, to just ordering in food because the meal was not going according to planned. However, ever year — even if it is the same routine from the year before — always seems to be a bit different and creates a lasting memory. So whether you are flying home, or making a Thanksgiving meal out of microwavable dishes in the dorm room, I can guarantee this year will be one to never forget.
Get Fresh Tips:
- Indulge in all of the food that you can possibly eat.
- If you are staying on campus, look in to Thanksgiving dinners offered on campus or restaurants that may be opened Thanksgiving day.
- Change up your usual holiday routine, and volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
- No matter what you decide to do, make sure that you enjoy the people you are spending your holiday with, and create lasting memories.
