For many college students, Thanksgiving break may be the first time since move-in that they've been home. This return is sure to be exciting, with promises of seeing loved ones, home-cooked meals, and the comfort of your own bed. For those who celebrate the holiday, Thanksgiving may also come with the emergence of a few distinctive personalities sitting around the turkey. Compiled here is a list of people who you may find at your Thanksgiving celebration.
1. The Chef/Host
This person is the team captain of Thanksgiving preparation. They get up early, prepare the bird, clean the house, set the table, and tie up any loose ends. They are usually perfectionists and prefer to have everything exactly the way they like it. But, by the time the big day comes, they usually get overwhelmed and decide not to host next year. Rest assured that they won't be able to handle the stress of someone else hosting so they will do it again themselves next year.
2. The Helper
This person will find some way to "help" the process of cooking a Thanksgiving feast and, almost all of the time, they will cause unnecessary delays. While they have good intentions, they can't be of much help unless they stay out of the kitchen. Nevertheless, guests can't help but feel obligated to help so, for now, prepare to continue to be bothered.
3. The Critic
This person is the hardest to please and the most likely to point out the smallest details that aren't 100 percent perfect. They cause unnecessary stress to not just the host, but also to the other guests who don't want to get involved. Unless you are willing to host next year, try to lay off the criticism.
4. The Live-Tweeter
Don't let the name fool you, this personality applies to all social media platforms. This person spends more time "posting" about Thanksgiving dinner than actually enjoying the company and food itself. They tend to spend a lot of their day thinking of clever captions that will make everyone envious.
5. The Early-Bird
This guest is, without a doubt, anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes early to Thanksgiving dinner. While this should be taken as a compliment (they don't show up early because they're dreading spending the festivities with you), it can become a bit of a nuisance.
As any host would know, time is precious when you are welcoming guests into your home. There's just so much to do and so little time to do it.
6. The Interrogator
This person is the dearly loved family member who will be sure to ask you no less than a dozen questions about your life, grades, work, relationships, and future plans. While you do care for them, sometimes their questions can be relentless and brutal. Do your best not to lose patience since Thanksgiving only comes once a year.
7. The Foodie
This person's favorite part of Thanksgiving is the food. They only talk about the meal, they spend weeks, if not months, fantasizing about the turkey, and you can be sure that they will not be sharing anything off of their plate. This year they are thankful for what's on the table.
8. The Sleeper
This person is a classic. Once they've eaten their food they sneak off to take a nap. You are likely not going to see them again until dessert is served. Try not to be too jealous of this person while you're stuck doing the dishes!
Thanksgiving is a holiday to count your blessings so, no matter where you fit on the spectrum of holiday personalities, you should think about what you're thankful for. And, of course, enjoy the meal.
