Food, football and family, what is much better than that?  

As I have gotten older, the winter holidays now have different meanings and purposes to me. Christmas is no longer about presents and Santa Claus, and it has certainly lost the luster that it once had from when I was a little child. Thanksgiving, however, has become my favorite holiday for many reasons. My birthday always falls around the week of Thanksgiving, as well as the birthdays of my parents.  

What sets Thanksgiving apart for me is that it’s one of the few days of the year that we take time out of our busy and crazy lives to reflect and be genuinely grateful for the things that I currently have in my life. In a world that’s often plagued by material wealth and status, Thanksgiving serves as a humble reminder to pause and appreciate life’s simple blessings. It encourages people to look beyond the daily grind, reflecting on the abundance of love, friendship and good fortune that often go unnoticed in the current state of modern living.  

Now that all the sappy feelings are out of the way, there is truly no greater one meal than Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, vegetables and dinner rolls are the quintessential combination for a world class meal and leftovers that will last me a week after. There is no big present that we receive but a time for families to come together as one and enjoy each other’s company as they eat a five-star dinner. These are the moments that have grown fonder for me over the years. 

There is truly no better stretch than watching The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade with my family, eating a great meal, then sitting on the couch for the rest of the night watching football. Everybody has their own way they spend their free time, but food and football are all I need to be happy.  

My friends think I am crazy for this take, and do not get how Thanksgiving could be put above Christmas, but the truly simplistic nature of the holiday makes it so much more enjoyable than the added stress of December holidays. It is a celebration that transcends the boundaries of time, culture and tradition, inviting people to embrace the beauty of life’s simple pleasures. With its emphasis on gratitude, togetherness and delicious feasts, Thanksgiving rightfully claims its place as the most cherished holiday, serving as a timeless reminder of gratitude and family.