As an out-of-state student, traveling back home for breaks can be very, very expensive. So, since I couldn't afford to make the trip back home, the past couple of years I have gone home with friends. I was so grateful to have a place to go for the break, especially since Thanksgiving would be a pretty crappy holiday alone. However, rather than going home with my friends this year, my roommates and I have decided to use our kitchen and make our own dinner. As exciting as this new experience will be, there are still some things I, and probably other college students, miss about Thanksgiving back home.
1. Sleeping in Your Own Bed
Whether you stay at the college or go home with a friend, one of the things you miss most about home is your own bed. Nothing is better than your own bed.
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2. Finally Relaxing
Though people usually have assignments over the break, Thanksgiving is usually a good time to just relax. Sleep in a little bit, nap, do something that you've wanted to do for awhile.
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3. Seeing Your Pets
Who doesn't love going home and seeing your pets? While at school, you rarely see animals beyond the squirrels that run rampant on campus. So when you go home, it's nice to snuggle with that special animal in your life.
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4. Visiting with Friends from Home
You really miss your friends back home, especially if you live out of state. I would have to drive at least eleven hours to see my friends, so reunions usually wait for breaks.
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5. Some Nice Home-Cooking
Thanksgiving is probably the best holiday for home-cooking-deprived college students. Most colleges try to give their students delicious food, while also trying to feed every single one of them. Unfortunately, the cooking falls through sometimes and you're left with a craving for some home-cooking.
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6. Listening to Music While Prepping
Some families listen to Christmas music while cooking; Others avoid Christmas music at all costs. My mom and I would always listen to either Andrea Bocelli' or Michael Bublé's Christmas album while we were cooking or prepping for Thanksgiving.
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7. The Actual Meal on Thanksgiving
Besides coming home and eating some good home-cooking, you also come home for the big kahuna of meals: Thanksgiving. Whether someone in your family is cooking everything, or each family member picks something to bring, in the end you are all stuffed and slightly regretting your choices. I always miss my mom's mashed potatoes mixed with my uncle's homemade gravy. YUM!
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8. Saying What You're Thankful For
I mean, this is literally the meaning of Thanksgiving. But, there is nothing better than saying what you're thankful for surrounded by loved ones.
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9. Breaking the Wish Bone Together
Some families don't break the wish bone. But for the families that do, breaking the wish bone is a great tradition.
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10. Watching the Macy's Day Parade
If you live in New York City, you can probably just watch the parade. The rest of us settle for sitting on the couch and tuning into the TV together.
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11. Spending Time With Family
Although the food and traditions are great, what you might really miss is the time spent with family. You've been away at school for months, but if you don't go home for Thanksgiving you might have to wait for Winter Break before you see them again. So, at least in my case, I end up missing them. Because isn't time spent with loved ones what Thanksgiving is really all about?
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Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (Here's a cute hamster for you!)
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