November truly embodies the season of Autumn. The atmosphere is serene with the bronzed leaves dancing with the wind. The air is cool, yet not freezing. Pumpkin patches and apple picking are staple activities in the fall season, as well as the specialized cinnamon drinks that are introduced every year. The perfect balance of life is nothing short of deserving admiration, especially when family and friends are around to appreciate all that’s good in it. The most intimate moment is sharing grace at the dinner table while awaiting to demolish a feast for all–a feast that is held to celebrate a holiday filled with gratitude: Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving tradition of holding a massive feast dates back to the year of 1621. Squanto, a Native American who was a member of the Pawtuxet tribe, aided the frail Pilgrims in growing their own crops and optimizing what nature presented to them. Cultivating corn, catching fish, and being knowledgeable about poisonous plants were what helped the Pilgrims thrive in their times of illness and malnutrition. The Pilgrims also formed connections with the Wampanoag tribe, making the feast symbolic of their harmony and friendship. Aside from being a celebration of friendship, Thanksgiving has a religious connotation to it as it was often celebrated to thank God for any triumphs and plentiful harvests. It was about having gratitude about the little things in life like having food on the table. 

Alright, so Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for all of the good aspects of life. How do you celebrate aside from having a huge feast? While turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie are Thanksgiving’s main attractions, there are plenty of other activities that embody the idea of gratitude in a fun manner. In most craft stores, fake stones are sold for decorative purposes. A fun idea would be buying 2-3 stones and writing down what you’re grateful for one each stone. It’s a great crafty activity and your gratitude can be displayed wherever you like! Another craft activity is making a hand turkey. The activity would involve painting your hand with the color of your choice and stamping it onto white printer paper. After the paint dries, each finger on the turkey can represent one person you’re happy to have in your life. Lastly, two people are able to break a wishbone after devouring a tender turkey. The tradition of breaking a wishbone involves two people picking one end of the bone and pulling it apart. The person who has the bigger bone is said to receive their wish in the future.

Thanksgiving is truly an underrated holiday that spreads positivity all around. The notions of gratitude and appreciation should be applied to everyday life, not just the holiday. They are such important aspects of maintaining a healthy life and it’s good to acknowledge all of the blessings and privileges you have in your life, regardless of how big or small they are. Though, who’d resist a nice feast and time of intimacy with the ones you love? No one! Take a walk in the park and let the cool breeze brush against your skin. Relish the tranquility and silence present in the moment. Life is often taken for granted, so appreciate it while you still have the time.