Thanksgiving is a time spent with the ones we love where we can all take a step back and appreciate the things we have. As we look forward to the Thanksgiving Day we reflect on our experiences in the past.  

When many people think about Thanksgiving, they automatically think of the food, the most important being the iconic thanksgiving turkey. Families all over America gather around the dinner table and dig into the classic meal with side dishes galore. Staple Thanksgiving side dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, gravy, mac and cheese, sauerkraut, mixed vegetables, pumpkin pie, rolls, and many other foods that scatter our plates. “My favorite side dish is those little foam apples,” stated staff writer Tyler Kirk, “because I’ve always wanted to eat them.”

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

But when we truly think about Thanksgiving, aside from the wonderful meal, what is the holiday truly about? Is it about the food we eat or the people we eat it with? The true meaning of thanksgiving is togetherness.  

We look to a model example in Charlie Brown. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a great tradition in American households. The story follows Charlie Brown and friends, with their unusual Thanksgiving while they learn the true meaning of the holiday. “But Thanksgiving is more than eating Chuck […] We should just be thankful for being together,” says character Peppermint Patty. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is an important story for all people as we watch the characters come together. That is what Thanksgiving is all about. People coming together, to celebrate their love for one another, rather than the food, though that’s amazing too. The idea of togetherness trumps all. 

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is another quintessential staple of the holiday. The parade is going on it’s 96th year as a Thanksgiving tradition. The crowds in the street overwhelm the crisp weather of the morning as people from all over gather together to see the parade in the heart of Times Square. The parade consists of balloons of iconic beloved characters, performances from Broadway shows and musicians as they perform on floats to represent different brands and businesses.

Staff writer Ethan Dean recalls his experience with the parade by says “my favorite balloon is Snoopy, and I get so hype when he passes. He’s the best and he’s so cute.” To close out the parade, Santa rides right into Times Square on his sleigh, getting the audience excited to transition into the winter season and Christmas. The large crowds and the millions watching at home bring the idea of togetherness back to the forefront.

The true ideals of Thanksgiving are not rooted in the great traditions of food, movies, parades and football, but are formed in the idea of being of with the people that are closest to us. Don’t forget to truly take time to enjoy and appreciate the people that mean the most this holiday. Togetherness is Thanksgiving, and all of us should take time to appreciate the important bonds in our lives this Thursday.  

Check out our Instagram Post!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bellarion staff!