As the holiday approaches, students at Marriotts Ridge High School are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with their unique traditions and family gathering that brings warmth to the chilly weather. Thanksgiving is seen as more than just a day, it is seen as a day filled with gratitude, connections and reunions that make it one of the favorite times of the year.
“My family and I have a tradition of baking a pumpkin pie from scratch with my family. We do it every year and eat the pie at Thanksgiving Dinner,” junior Emily Tian shares.
Family traditions vary in many different ways, with some students keeping their holiday traditions in a small circle and some students with huge gatherings. People participate in traditions that make their day even more special since they are able to spend time with their family friends after their busy schedules. These traditions allow families and friends to connect and create new memories that evoke a sense of belonging. Traditions deepen the meaning of the holiday and build a rhythm year after year, reminding people of the values of gratitude. Thanksgiving turns into a meaningful time for each family to carry on their traditions that make the holiday uniquely theirs.
“Every Thanksgiving, my family plays a fun football game in the backyard called the ‘Turkey Bowl,’ and we also watch football on our TV while we eat our dinner,” freshman George Klaus exclaimed.
Football plays a huge role on Thanksgiving for some families. Along with the family-friendly backyard football game, Thursday Night NFL Football is a highly watched Thanksgiving event. The NFL has three football games, and families of fans come together at homes and stadiums to cheer their teams on. The tradition brings families together through activities that they all enjoy while creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“Thanksgiving is a special time of year because we have a tradition of going to New York City every year to meet with all of our extended family. Seeing all my family after months makes me look forward to it every year,” freshman Ariana Rahman states.
Traveling for the holiday is a tradition that creates another sense of excitement for Thanksgiving. Many families travel to other states and countries to reunite and celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. The anticipation builds as family members arrive together and bring their own energy. Seeing special people after a long time, reconnects families over shared meals and traditions that can make the trip worthwhile. Thanksgiving becomes the day to close the distance that often separates loved ones, which fill homes with laughter and joy.
These traditions remind students of the importance of their community and gratitude. The season is filled with warmth as families reunite after prolonged periods apart. Through different traditions from different families, Thanksgiving brings people together for a special time that can be unforgettable. The holiday is filled with reconnections, new memories and traditions that have been continuing for years.