Fall brings plenty of timeless traditions: Thanksgiving dinner with relatives you haven't seen in forever, fighting the crowd at Best Buy on Black Friday to purchase the latest Madden game, rewrapping presents until you give up and resort to using a cute gift bag and shimmery tissue paper.

Perhaps the most valued Fall festivity is football, and that rings especially true at Mizzou. It’s not an official government holiday. It doesn’t get a date on the calendar. But game day is an American holiday, perhaps one of the most celebrated that we have.

For starters, there’s plenty of food. Thanksgiving may have a five-course meal, but football games have paper plates and potato chips. No one really likes turkey that much, anyway. Take a stroll through a Mizzou football tailgate, and you will see more food than your local Hy-Vee. There are the basics: hot dogs, burgers, potato salad. Some families show off more advanced tastes, bringing homemade meatballs, or a tray full of Grandma’s pastries. You might find a fruit platter so you consume something healthy during the course of the day.

Second, everyone dresses up. Maybe this only applies to schools belonging to the SEC, but there’s no better way to cheer your team than wearing a dress that is perfectly coordinated to match your school’s colors. Ask any girl, and you will find out the full extent of planning that goes into game day outfits. Summer job money goes towards purchasing the right look. Girls, let’s be honest, we’ve put more thought into game day outfits than some date parties. New Year’s Eve gets the flashy attire, but game day comes in a close second.

Then there is the music. Christmas may have Mariah Carey’s, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” but game day has Marching Mizzou blasting, "Every True Son," from the stands. Which one gives you goosebumps and makes you jump up and down like someone’s lit a fire under your feet? That’s what I thought.

Holidays bring families together. Football games are no different. While tailgating with your friends is fun and provides you with some of your favorite college memories, tailgating when your family is in town elevates the game, especially if your family travels a long way to celebrate with you. Odds are, your parents have better seats than the student section -- and you won’t have to stand the whole time -- so that, alone, is an improvement. It gives you the chance to brag about Mizzou and show your mom, grandfather, and brother just what makes you love this school. Maybe they will finally accept why you were willing to move so far away from home. Just be sure to remind them that you are getting your homework done.     

Christmas gets the household decorations. Thanksgiving gets the turkey. But college football games get all the fun. This upcoming Saturday, wear your newest black and gold purchase. Fry up the hot dogs. Invite all your family and friends because ‘tis the season for football, and nobody celebrates it like Mizzou.