Thanksgiving is a holiday that takes place every November in the United States. Families use Thanksgiving to celebrate their blessings and reflect on what they are grateful for. In addition to the standard tradition of giving thanks, there are many common household traditions, such as home cooked meals or visiting family. The Tuscarora community has shared some of their unique traditions that The Pack would like to highlight!
A personal tradition that I like to celebrate with my family every year is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is a great way to start off my Thanksgiving holiday, filled with delightful performances and gorgeous floats that are broadcasted across the nation. This tradition has been celebrated by my family since I was seven years old and is something I look forward to every year.
Sophomore Javi Rivas shares how celebrates his Thanksgiving traditions with family and fireworks. “My family sets up cardboard forts and hay bales. Then we light fireworks and make games out of it.” Rivas enjoys spending the day with his family in Guatemala and creating new traditions for generations to come.
Additionally, junior Luke Pierce expresses one of his favorite traditions to celebrate every Thanksgiving. “Every year, when I visit my family in West Virginia, we eat our Thanksgiving dinner then have a game night. We always play a variety of games, such as cornhole or the Game of Life. My family is very competitive, so it is a light-hearted competition that only occurs once a year.”
Thanksgiving is also celebrated in schools. In elementary school, we would always make Thanksgiving crafts and list things that we are grateful for. Having kids list their blessings is a good thing for them to start at their young age to understand the importance of what they have. The crafts made in school are also a great way to reminisce about the past. Every time I see mine displayed around the house, it fills me with joy and nostalgia.
Overall, Thanksgiving is about family, friends, and the things you find most important in life. It is one day a year where everyone can get together and reflect on how grateful they are. Each family celebrates Thanksgiving in their own way, creating traditions that get passed down for many more celebrations.
