Thanksgiving is known for many things, such as giving thanks for the different aspects of our lives, celebrating the Pilgrims first coming to America, and more. Despite these factors that play a part of a typical Thanksgiving celebration, the first thing many people think of is the food. Some love the traditional dishes, while others find the meal overrated and opt to celebrate with other food instead. Some may say not having the classic Thanksgiving meal takes away from what the holiday is about.
This meal typically includes foods like turkey, stuffing, various side dishes, and different types of pie for dessert. The food is a big part of what students view the holiday as therefore it makes sense for traditional foods to be included. “There’s a lot of the traditional Thanksgiving food I have every year and enjoy. My family usually has the turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, which I love, mashed potatoes, and obviously, pumpkin pie,” sophomore Grant Lockman said.
However, not all students enjoy the same Thanksgiving meal. Some students’ families get something else, have other traditions for Thanksgiving, or just don’t like dishes that are typically enjoyed on Thanksgiving. “My family doesn’t have a traditional meal, or at least I don’t enjoy most of the food. I only really like the desert but I don’t like mashed potatoes or turkey or any of that,” freshman Ellen Bunkers said.
For those who do not eat the traditional meal, there are many food items that are eaten instead. Although a classic Thanksgiving meal is seen as tradition to some, it’s no obligation. “One time, because I was in Iowa for Thanksgiving, and my grandparents didn’t like to make any food for Thanksgiving, so we went to restaurants, and I had mac and cheese instead of what we usually have,” sophomore Audrey Wolff said.
Some students feel like the food is the most critical part of the holiday and without the food, the holiday would not have the same effect. While Thanksgiving also focuses on giving thanks, the Thanksgiving meal is undeniably one of the main focuses, so without it the holiday feels like it’s missing something. “I think it does take away from the holiday because I feel like the whole holiday has nothing else to it besides that. I guess we are celebrating and giving thanks but other than that it’s only the food that is important,” Wolff said.