Halloween is over. The aisles in all the stores are filled with a new kind of holiday cheer, but once again, they skip the best holiday. The lost holiday. How is it that in our culture, we get excited for the two holidays where we get free stuff? Yet we don't get excited for the one holiday where the entire purpose is to be grateful for what you have. Granted, there are no costumes or music. There are no stockings and gifts. But there is food.

Thanksgiving is a time for families to get together and be thankful for what they have in their life. The small things, the big things, and everything in between. I can't think of a better holiday. I get to stuff my face with food and tell my family how much I love them. Here are the top five reasons Thanksgiving is the best.

1. Food.

Honestly though, it is a holiday about cooking and eating. The one time of year where everyone puts on their fat pants and tries to out eat everyone at the table.

2. Family and friends.

To my family, this is a holiday of inviting everyone you love over to eat food and be merry. Friends are family too, and family is always welcome. There is nothing better than a room full of people you love.

3. Pie.

Technically this is a food, but pie is a big thing on it's own. A giant slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream is a holiday essential.

4. Games.

At least the way my family gatherings go, we always end up playing some type of board game and laughing until our dinner tries to make a second appearance.

5. Counting your blessings.

My mother always tells me to count what I am grateful for anyways, but on this day you should really take a second to appreciate the good things in your life. Life gets hard, and when it does it can be hard to find the silver lining. But trust me, it is always there.

So, this year, let's not just go straight to Christmas. Let us have Thanksgiving first.