We’re in the home stretch ladies and ‘gents. Thanksgiving is a mere few days away, the greatest holiday of the year. You get food, then a whole month of Christmas preparation, then TWO WHOLE DAYS OF MORE FOOD. The exception to this rule is if you’re Italian (like me), then the whole month of December turns into a giant food fest. (I usually avoid jeans during this time period. No shame). Anyway, I have some Thanksgiving break traditions and tips I would like to share with you all. Enjoy!
1. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: This Thanksgiving Day morning, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is celebrating its 88th year of airing! Join Hello Kitty, Papa Smirf, and Thomas the Tank Engine (balloon version of course) as they float down Columbus Avenue, right onto your television set. The ending welcomes Santa to New York City, in preparation for the most magical holiday of all. Since I was little, the parade has been an extra person in my house, accompanying us as we all rush around, running this errand and that to prepare for the meal later on that day.
2. Contribute to the meal: You eat it, you contribute. That’s how it should be! As I mentioned before, I am Italian, and we take the food portion of Thanksgiving very seriously. The menu is usually drawn out at least a month in advance, and each person/ family knows what they are contributing to the meal well ahead of time. Since cooking is not my strong suit (I burn toast, to put it simply), I usually help with the cleanup process.
3. Go Black Friday shopping! (…or not): If you haven’t done it yet, you have to! Standing in the freezing cold for hours on end, the incredibly long lines, running the risk of being trampled to death… I’m kidding. Personally I am a Cyber Monday kinda gal (aka Black Friday online), but I have braced the crowds a few times. I usually don’t buy anything just end up sitting on a mall bench with coffee, people watching, laughing silently (now THAT is something I suggest doing the conversations you hear are hysterical).
4. Catch up on homework: I know, I know, no one wants to think about homework or studying over break. But if you don’t, I promise, you are going to want to kick yourself when we start back up, especially considering “The Final Countdown” starts as soon as we get back. Bring your notes home and take an hour or two every day to read over them just once! Repetition is retention. Repetition is retention. Repetition is… retention.
5. Start Christmas- tizing!: The day after Thanksgiving, I am in pure Christmas mode. The tree goes up, stockings are hung, and I am writing my letter to Santa so it is the first to arrive at the North Pole. My Pandora station search history includes, “Classic Christmas,” “Country Music,” “Disney Christmas”- you get the picture. Make sure to bring some decorations back to the dorms as well, to brighten your spirits during finals week.
Ashley Cantasano is a third-year student who is majoring in marketing and adverisement. She can be reached at AC784683@wcupa.edu.