Even though Thanksgiving will be here in just a few short days, many people are already looking ahead to Christmas. And while I am all for decorating the tree and singing Christmas songs as soon as the calendar hits November 1^st, I am still an avid supporter of the Thanksgiving season. In fact, in my opinion, Thanksgiving truly is the best holiday of the year.

Let’s start with one of the main reasons why: the food. Thanksgiving is that one time of year where you can literally stuff your face with tons of food and no one is going to judge you. On top of that, the food is so comforting and savory that it’s possible to eat at least three platefuls.

After eating more food than you probably have all year, it’s time for a nap. Passing out on the couch for an hour is an essential part of making it through the holiday. And after you wake up, you’ll be ready to eat another helping (or two) of turkey and mashed potatoes.

Then comes the football. Thanksgiving would not be complete without a game of football, both on the television and in the back yard. Touch football has been bringing light competition to families for years. After all, a little rivalry is healthy for a family dynamic.

The weather is just starting to cool down, and the leaves are in the process of changing colors. The air is crisp and has a clean smell to it, giving us warm and fuzzy feelings inside.

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving, though, is the time you get to spend with your family. Everyone comes home for the holiday and gathers together to eat and enjoy each other’s presence. For some, this may be the only time of year that they get to see distant relatives that traveled in from far away.

Thanksgiving seems to smooth tensions between relationships and removes stress, even for just the day. Families come together and spend the day playing games and laughing with each other. Some of my greatest memories with my family have even been made on Thanksgiving.

On top of it all, Thanksgiving provides you with time to reflect on all the things you truly are thankful for. Whether it be your family, your relationship, your pets, or even that A you made on a test, there is always something to be appreciative of.

For me, Thanksgiving includes so many of my favorite things that it is hard to not say that it’s my favorite holiday. No matter how much I love Christmas and singing carols while decorating the tree, Thanksgiving will always hold a special place in my heart.