I'm well aware that with everything going on lately that there are a lot of things creating tension and hostility in not only our country, but personally as well. November is known as the season of giving, the time where we reflect on our year thus far and truly think about what we as people are thankful for.

I know with this being an election year that many people are foreseeing a traumatic four years ahead, due to it not playing out the way they voted. I urge you to put that aside, politics has no place at the dinner table with you and your family. Whatever that may mean for you, a large meal with an obscene amount of family members spilling out of your house, an intimate evening with you and your spouse, your pets, your work family, whoever.

The Macy’s Day Parade
I always remember waking up super early and waiting in anticipation for the parade to start. Something as magical as the parade simply cannot be missed. From the Rockettes, the current Broadway show performances, the giant balloons; snoopy, spongebob the smurf, it’s wonderful. It's such a big spectacle and a staple in many homes on Thanksgiving, it's watched by millions and who could forget the fact that Santa rides in at the very end to usher in the Christmas Season?

Waking up at 7 because your mom is already cooking the turkey even though your family won't get there until 1.
Living in the house that primarily hosts thanksgiving is so neat; because all of your family members come to your house it's almost like they're coming just to see you. Like you're a big deal. Until it's the day of and your mother is going ballistic because she's trying to cook but she sees that the couch cushions aren't straight and dad forgot to vacuum that one spot on the rug. So of course, the troops must rise early and clean until their hands fall off, and better hope they earn that after dinner nap.

Seeing family members you haven't seen since the last major holiday.
Even though you probably see grandma every day, there something about everyone coming together in your living room. This is something that many people look forward to but something others don’t. Because you know that your dear Aunt who means so well will ask you if you’ve met any good boys lately or have that one conversation about your future that you might not know the exact answers to yet. All you want at this point (mid-conversation) is for your mom to call you into the kitchen and ask for your help with basting the turkey or whatever she’s doing.

Pumpkin, Apple, Blueberry Pies
I think everybody knows that the best part of thanksgiving or any major holiday is the dessert table. There's always something about fresh baked brownies, pies, cakes, or in my families case cookies with oreos in the middle. There’s just something about warm pie with ice cream that makes it seem like the holidays are truly upon us.

Leftovers for weeks!
Go ahead and try and tell me that day after thanksgiving turkey isn’t just as good (if not better as day of thanksgiving turkey). You’ll be eating turkey sandwiches for weeks if not months (of course that all depends on the size of your family gathering). With my family, our leftovers are spilling out of the fridge so of course, we usually take to websites like pinterest and get creative with our usage of turkey, cranberry sauce, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, whatever it may be.

Reach out to someone this holiday, I know it sounds silly but do it. Find someone who you think could really use someone like you. (Also something equally as silly/crazy sounding). I promise it will make you feel good and the feeling will be mutual for them.