Thanksgiving is a patriotic holiday of families feasting and it is right around the corner, but let’s remind ourselves why we celebrate the holiday and how to handle the stress it might bring.

If Thanksgiving is about coming together as a family, while it’s a nice thought, I often think it’s forced. Don’t you just dread seeing that annoying uncle?

I think a lot of people use the holidays as an excuse to be with family, which is sad if you wouldn’t want to spend time with them outside of the holidays. Rather than forcing a gathering, I think people would be more thankful if they just enjoyed the people they love and want to spend time with on a regular basis. What makes Thanksgiving so special compared to any other day?

While Thanksgiving sounds like a festive time to stuff ourselves until we’re sick, it symbolizes the pilgrims’ take over of the Native American’s land. Many Native Americans suffered due to colonization and for some Native Americans, Thanksgiving is seen as a day of mourning because the colonizers left a great impact of death. About 90% of Indigenous people died between 1492 and 1600, according to an article from Business Insider.

Not many people grasp how the negative aspects like history, stress, expenses and travel can impact the Thanksgiving experience, making it difficult to enjoy a dinner with family.

Inflation has been stressful on families during the holidays. Food is becoming more expensive and with Christmas coming next month, it can be difficult to budget for multiple holiday dinners and gifts at the same time.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prices of food have gone up at least 4.8% in the first six months of the year compared to 2022. By the end of 2023 it’s predicted to go up to 5.8%.

On top of the food being expensive, eating the same traditional foods has become boring. While some people do enjoy the traditional feasts, I think it’s fun to make-up traditions that are meaningful to your loved ones and eat whatever you decide.

I believe the pandemic has helped create new traditions for families nationwide. I have met people who have non-traditional meals, rather than the same old turkey and potatoes. Some non-traditional dinners I’ve seen are compilations of random surprise dishes or other families picking different categories of food to feast, such as Indian or Chinese food.

The pandemic changed a lot of ways people celebrate Thanksgiving. It changed how and what we eat during the holidays, but Thanksgiving is still the same holiday it was before. Even if it gets stressful at times.

If you’re stressed out about Thanksgiving, remember what the holiday means to you and keep it in mind as you enjoy creating your own traditions this year. Enjoy the food you want to eat, and the people you want to be with. Friends, family or maybe that annoying uncle.