Thanksgiving has been celebrated for centuries in America, but in more recent years, it has been losing it's spark more and more. In fact, the fall holiday could easily be a contender for the worst holiday of the year. Setting aside the desert-dry apple pie, I admit to being one who isn't so thankful for Thanksgiving, and here are 12 reasons why:
1. The history is screwed up.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in honor of colonial hunters' safe return from brutally massacring 700 Pequot Indians. How nice (not).
2. The weight gain.
Good luck fitting back into those skinny jeans after you fill your plate to the max. I hope you brought your sweatpants.
3. Black Friday.
Consumerism, greed, and capitalism at its finest. How is one supposed to be thankful for what we have when we're busy planning to buy the next best thing?
4. Cooking is a nightmare.
Thanksgiving means food, then stress, then stress-eating. Either help the person cooking, or stay away at all costs: pick your poison. Also, the clean-up after the feast is the second realm of terror.
5. There is so much waste afterwards.
Those leftovers can only serve as your turkey-sandwich lunch for so long.
6. Seasonal depression hits.
The colors of the leaves change, then die, and then the snow comes plundering down. With it comes the darkness outside and the familiar sadness within.
7. Introducing your significant other.
An abundance of questions await you both - may the odds be ever in your favor.
8. So many relatives in one space.
Too. Many. Children. This is not a free pass to dump your kids on me, Aunt Susan.
9. Meats galore.
It's a tough time for vegans and vegetarians. Maybe bring some of your own dishes for this holiday or stick this one out at home where it's safe.
10. Relatives asking question after question.
No, Aunt Karen, I don't have my life figured out and by the looks of it, neither do you.
11. It's cold.
I am not going outside to participate in your football game. I will watch from the warm comforts of the sofa next to the fireplace, thanks.
While Thanksgiving certainly isn't all smiles and hand-holding as it is made out to be in the elementary classes, it does serve a good purpose of bringing loved ones together and appreciating everything in life, from the basics to the luxuries, that so many can only ever dream of. Regardless of your stance on the holiday, I'm sure something we can all agree on is the happiness of finally taking a breath away from classes, exams, and the stress that comes with it all. Good luck with the holidays and remember the good times over the bad. Breathe in, breathe out, and have a wonderful break!
