Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be with the people you love. With Thanksgiving coming up just around the corner and a lot of people waiting to devour a family feast, a Google form was sent out to some students, asking them about their Thanksgiving traditions. Here are some of the things a few students have said.
When asked if there are any special traditions their family likes to do, Diana Ribera, senior, responded with, “It's not very special, but we go around the table before eating and tell each other what we are thankful for.”
“Once the kids reach an age where they can safely help in the kitchen, we teach them how to start cooking the Thanksgiving feast. As of now, my niece and nephew are far too young to be in the kitchen, so the cooking is up to my sisters and me,” replied Callie Weatherly, senior.
Lexi Oetterer, senior, said, “My dad, my sister, and I go on our annual squirrel drive. That means that we just go out to our hunting stand and shoot squirrels.”
“My family all gets together and we play games and then eat delicious food!” responded Mikayla Maloney, senior.
Elsie McNabb, senior, stated, “We always go to the Bottoms or our property and shoot our guns for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Alex Trentmann replied with, “We just go over to my grandma's house and watch football.”
They then shared their favorite thing about their traditions.
Diana Ribera replied with, “I like that we can tell each other what we are thankful for. It's a simple thing that means a lot to all of us.”
Lexi Oetterer replied with, “I get to spend time with my dad and sister, doing something that we love.”
Mikayla Maloney said, “I love when my family comes all together-- it's a great time to catch up with each other!”
“I love being there with my family and my friends that decide to go, and I get to drive my grandpa's truck, which is my favorite thing,” responded Elsie McNabb.
“I like how we start passing on the recipes as soon as we can. Because of that tradition, I knew how to roast a turkey and make all of the sides by the time I was in middle school; although, I didn't start cooking it on my own till high school,” replied Callie Weatherly.
Some families have had traditions for a long time, and NHHS students commented on how long they have had their family traditions.
“I think my dad has done the squirrel drive since he was a kid, and then my sister and I just tagged along when we were old enough to hunt,” responded Lexi Oetterer.
Elsie McNabb replied with, “I've done this since I was five, but everyone else has done it for as long as I can remember.”
Lastly, the students were asked if there are any special places they go during Thanksgiving.
Diana Ribera said, “We don't really go anywhere special. We mostly stay at one of our family members’ houses. We do though go to Chicago most of the time.”
Callie Weatherly responded by saying, “For as long as I know, we have always had our celebrations at my Aunt Niccole's house, since she was the one teaching my sisters and me the family recipes.”
It sounds like there are many unique ways families celebrate Thanksgiving. Hopefully everyone has a great Thanksgiving!