As the second semester comes to a close, many students are finalizing their plans for Thanksgiving break. For some, the trip home involves booking flights, coordinating with relatives, or taking a short car ride.
“When I was younger, I went to my grandparents’ house a lot to celebrate,” said Isabel Bandon. “I always got to see many relatives and enjoy all the laughter. That has become one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving. I enjoy being able to see distant relatives and be with family. I also get to eat delicious food, that is another favorite part of the holiday for me.”
Bandon uses Thanksgiving as a day to feel appreciative. “Thanksgiving to me means that I get to celebrate a time where I get to see my relatives and enjoy the memories that we create.”
This year’s Thanksgiving will look slightly different for her and her family. “This year it’s just me and my parents who are celebrating together. All my other relatives were doing something, so we decided that it was just going to be the three of us. I also hope to plan a little Friendsgiving with my roommates before we head off for Thanksgiving break,” said Bandon.
Old traditions are cherished while new ones are formed to fit different family styles. “Having a blended family now, I make multiple stops on Thanksgiving Day,” said sophomore Sofia Mazzella. “Typically, half the day with my dad and the other half with my mom.”
Mazzella uses the holiday as an opportunity to stop and appreciate the blessings in her life, and to take part in traditions, like having Thanksgiving dinner with her family. “We have everything but the kitchen sink on Thanksgiving, all the traditional foods,” said Mazzella.
Senior Jocelyn Vasey enjoys a Florida vacation as part of her family’s Thanksgiving tradition. “We fly out to Florida every year to celebrate with my dad’s side of the family, I definitely look forward to it and the Florida weather is always nice.”
Vasey and her parents make the most out of the trip to visit family for the holiday. “It’s nice because we usually get there a day before Thanksgiving, check into where we’re staying, and then head to my grandparents’ house.”
Thanksgiving Day is a laid-back, pajamas-all-day kind of holiday for some families, but for Vasey’s family, getting dressed up before the annual supper is part of the fun.
With around thirty people in attendance each year, Vasey’s grandparents choose to have the meal catered. “It’s definitely more of a formal type of thing,” said Vasey. “It’s cool because when we first get there it’s pretty chill. Everyone swims, watches TV, and just hangs out, then we all get dressed up for dinner.”
While holiday traditions differ from person to person, many SHU students cherish this time off from school to enjoy the Thanksgiving season at home.
