Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we think traditions truly make the holiday special. There are so many traditions — family recipes passed down through generations, annual flag football games, and preparing for Black Friday to name a few. Everyone has an unique way of celebrating. Join us as we explore Thanksgiving traditions, Shift style.

Ali

I love staying home on Thanksgiving and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by a marathon of my favorite Friends episodes. (IMHO, the best Thanksgiving episode is “The One With the Rumor,” closely followed by “The One Where Ross Got High.”)  I’ve never attempted a classic English trifle like Rachel Green, but I do love making a classic green bean casserole – with extra fried onions. I am grateful for my family, my home, and my community.  

Anthony

I used to love playing football when I was young. As we got into high school years, tackling presented a risk but we were too competitive and uncoordinated to simply play by flag rules. We liked to call our style “flackle” rules, flags were fine but sometimes tackles happen, which was okay if played only once a year with a long weekend to recover. Each year is remembered for a different collection of players, weather, and field conditions. I hope nobody that I stumbled into is still suffering from those injuries.

Jaz

I am grateful for family and friends. I enjoy making and eating tons of food throughout Thanksgiving day, then going Black Friday shopping in the morning. Every year, I bake cookies, and my friends and I play the Turkey Bowl, which is a tag team football game, before dinner. I appreciate my family and friends because they have shown me different life perspectives.

Larissa

Of course I spend Thanksgiving itself with my family, but another tradition of mine is to spend the days after Thanksgiving doing the thing I love – volunteering! On Black Friday I skip shopping and join Allegheny CleanWays in picking up the items that other people have discarded in dumpsites. I then head over to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and document the opening weekend of their annual Santa Trolley event for social media, newsletters, and other communications. It’s a nice way to ring in the season and begin giving back!

Meg

I make my signature pumpkin roll each Thanksgiving (and often Christmas). It is a recipe I have crafted meticulously over the years. And by that, I mean it is the one that is printed on the back of the label of Libby canned pumpkin. I make it the night before and try not to stress when the cake inevitably cracks as I try to roll it up. 

Michael

From Thanksgiving day until the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, my family does a round of dinners such that you can stay at a different place and eat a different Thanksgiving dinner every night. It’s a marathon of good food and company.

Ruby

I’m lucky enough to enjoy two very delicious Thanksgiving meals—one with my friends and the other with family. We begin decorating the house over Thanksgiving weekend, and I love that suddenly the holidays are in full swing!

Sarah

I adore cooking and baking and I enjoy hosting holiday meals for a large group of family and friends. So, Thanksgiving is therefore my jam. I’m thankful for having a kitchen that can handle the increased capacity. And, I’m grateful for the opportunity to gather with the people I love. 

We’re Grateful for You

Whether or not you make catching up on Shift’s blog an annual Thanksgiving tradition, we’re grateful for you! Wishing you a warm and delicious holiday.