There is no doubt that the Blessed Trinity students, faculty, and staff are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of their long-awaited fall break. Tests and projects are being put together and fall sports are coming to an end, but perhaps in the frenzy, we miss the true meaning of this particular holiday. Thanksgiving is a time where family and friends come together to celebrate time with each other. There is no hassle of buying presents or getting up early to hide easter eggs. The fourth Thursday of November provides people the opportunity to slow down and realize how many blessings they were given throughout the year. There is so much to be said about Thanksgiving, especially how unique it is to each person. Families all over the country celebrate this holiday, but it is never quite the same. Special family traditions can be found in any home during this season and it is exciting to see how your holiday is celebrated compared to your fellow classmates.

Andie Sheahan, a current sophomore, puts a little exercise into her Thanksgiving day. Sheahan’s family all come over to her house for the holiday and they start off the special day with “[running] the half marathon in Atlanta.” This routine is not a bad idea, especially if you want to burn some calories before eating a large feast. Already filled with fun, Sheahan and her family continue their day with a Thanksgiving lunch and enjoy a sweet moment when “the oldest person in [her] family says the prayer before [they] eat.” 

Junior Katherine Contrucci travels to New Jersey and has some fun Thanksgiving traditions as well like changing up regular Thanksgiving “recipes in an attempt to perfect them.” Perhaps the most distinctive thing the Contrucci family does is popping open a paper container with special prizes before dinner. Not only this, the poppers have crowns in them and Contrucci mentions that her family “wear[s] the crowns while [eating] dinner.” This tradition is no doubt amazing and unique, but Contrucci says her favorite part about the holiday is spending time with her cousins. While material prizes are fun, it is easy to agree with Contrucci that family is one of the best parts of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Mrs. Erin McKenna, an English teacher, makes two trips for Thanksgiving, going to her sister’s house and then her husband’s parents’ house. “This requires a bit of driving,” McKenna says, “but it allows us to see most of our extended family”. McKenna’s signature dish is a homemade orange-cranberry sauce and she says, “I love the way all the fruit and fall spices make my house smell when it’s simmering on the stove”. Something that might be different from others is that McKenna’s favorite part of Thanksgiving is actually the day after. The family has been mentioned quite a bit, but friends are also an important part of this particular holiday. “My family has a tradition of getting together with friends my husband and I have had since high school and college, and we celebrate Friendsgiving”. 

Our very own Mrs. Cathy Lancaster shares her experience during Thanksgiving saying that she has twenty-eight family members plus friends at her sister’s house. During dinner, Lancaster explains, “We stand in a circle and hold hands and each person has to say something they are thankful for, even the little ones”.  Her Thanksgiving feast is made up of many good meals and every year Lancaster attempts to make German Chocolate Cake and special dressing, her grandfather’s and mother’s signature dishes; These members of her family have sadly passed on, but that does not stop Lancaster from trying to perfect the recipes to share with the rest of her family. After dinner, Lancaster and her family “usually have a game of touch football in the front yard” and it is no surprise that she is the quarterback. Lancaster’s favorite part about the holiday is spending time with family. “There is nothing like family. We have our school family, our personal family, and our community family. I would not care I we did not have a big meal as long as we were all able to stop for a moment and spend quality time together”.

Although these unique Thanksgiving activities sound exciting, there is nothing wrong with celebrating holidays the traditional way. Having a warm turkey on the table and going around to say what everyone is thankful for is truly as picture-perfect as it sounds. Whether it be through playing in the yard, watching the Thanksgiving day parade, or volunteering, the holiday gives people the chance to be together with family. After all, that is what Thanksgiving is all about.