What is your favorite holiday?

When I was a kid, self-centered as I was (and possibly still am), my response was always, "My Birthday!" *Insert hair flip here*

Usually, the person either laughed or informed me that birthdays were not holidays. To which I would respond, "Christmas is Jesus' birthday." My point being that most people will tell you that Christmas is their favorite holiday. Be it for the magic, the presents, the tradition, the faith or the family that accompany the globally recognized and celebrated holiday, people young and old love Christmas.

Don't get me wrong, Christmas is great and frankly, I've already started listening to my Christmas playlist, but it's not the only holiday to love. I have to say that my personal favorite is Thanksgiving.

"Wow, she must really love food," you're probably thinking. While this does contribute to my love for Thanksgiving, it is so much more than that.

First of all, Thanksgiving break is a much need break from academic and work life, where you can gather with loved ones to appreciate everything you have to be thankful for and reconvene your morale to finish the semester strong. This pause makes dead week and finals week doable (sort of).

Also, who doesn't love to go home and see their family, pets, and friends? This, to me, is the highlight of Thanksgiving. The days following Turkey day are also prime time for decorating your home, keeping old family traditions and making new ones. The nostalgia and festivity that surround this time are enough to give anyone the feels.

Finally, this time is full of home cooked meals, baked goodies and a house full of that holiday aroma everyone loves! Those cinnamon apple candles are the best! That holiday kitchen time and all the taste testing that comes with it is unparalleled in family bonding activities.

So, before you spend your Thanksgiving holiday getting your shopping lists ready, and maybe even participating in Black Friday, I urge you to take some time to ponder why they let you out of school/off work for this wonderful holiday, and reflect on what it means to you.