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Everyone has a favorite holiday. Some people love Halloween because they love donning a costume and downing mass quanities of candy. Others favor Christmas because, hey, it’s Christmas. And there are a lot of people out there, myself included, who think that Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever.
The origins of Thanksgiving begin with a bountiful meal shared between Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians in 1621. And while it’s true that the story can get a little controversial, Thanksgiving has become a nationally celebrated holiday during which friends and family get together, eat a ton of delicious food, pass out, eat more food, go home, pass out, and eat leftovers over the course of a much-needed long weekend. And amidst all that eating and sleeping, it’s a time to remember all the aspects of our lives that we’re thankful for — like the fact that we’re celebrating with loved ones over a bounty of food.
But because Thanksgiving doesn't come with the glitz and glamour of other holidays, it's easy for it to get lost in the shuffle and scooted to the bottom on the Best Holiday List. So on behalf of all the Turkey Day lovers out there, here are 15 reaosns why Thanksgiving is — and always will be — the best holiday ever.
1
You Get To Sample Amazing Food
Let’s start with the food, since it’s the first thing we associate with Thanksgiving. What to say, what to say? From the juicy turkey to the array of showstopping sides, everyone is pleased come Thanksgiving. Yes, even vegetarians because there are plenty of meat-free entrees to make thier mouths water.
2
You Can Eat Marshmallows With Dinner
Thanksgiving is the only holiday that is truly known for embracing marshmallows in the form of a casserole topping, and that’s good enough for me.
3
You Have Food For Days After
It’s like the greatest bonus ever. You can recreate Thanksgiving plates with all the fixings, or make the best turkey sandwiches in the world, or go beyond all that and totally revamp your leftovers.
4
You Can Go Crazy With Decorations
Decorating for Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to put an inflatable turkey in your front yard (Though you can if you want.) The spirit of Thanksgiving — family, harvest, and thankfulness — make for perfect Autumn-themed ideas and simple, beautiful table settings.
5
You Can Get Crafty
Elegant votive candles aside, let’s not forget about the adorable handprint turkey and more stunning Thanksgiving DIY decoraitons.
6
You Get A Long Weekend
Unless you're working for Ebeneezer Scrooge, Thanksgiving virtually guarantees a long weekend. Thursday to enjoy the holiday itself, and then three days to eat leftovers and revel in the afterglow.
7
You Don't Have To Worry About Solemnity
While Christmas can seem like the ultimate super-fun holiday what with those presents and all, if you stop to think about it, it’s actually a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. It’s just that Thanksgiving has no such heavy-duty associations. It’s all about food, family, friends, and thankfulness (in whatever order you prefer.)
8
You Don’t Have Buy Gifts
Another element that separates Thanksgiving from Christmas is that there’s no pressure — on your psyche, your wallet, or your credit card debt — to buy everyone presents. Yes you can bring a bottle of wine as a hostess give, but you don’t have to give Amazon lightning deals a single, fleeting thought.
9
You Feel True Holiday Spirit
And finally, that aforementioned thankfulness. Sometimes it’s not easy to remember to feel thankful for what we have on a daily basis. Yes, we are thankful for food, marshmallows, long weekends, and naps — but we especially feel gratitude for the joys of our family and friends. And that is definitely something to celebrate.
Images: Cindi Albright/Flickr; Giphy (9)
