Thanksgiving Through Our Eyes: A Celebration of Family Traditions

By: Paw Print Staff

Thanksgiving has always been a time of warmth, laughter, and reflection. The house fills with the comforting smells of roasted turkey, fresh-baked pies, and spices that remind us of past holidays. For our family, Thanksgiving is more than a meal—it is a celebration of traditions that bring us closer together. Each of us uniquely experiences this holiday, and together, our stories highlight the love, gratitude, and joy that define the season.

Julia:

Being part of a big family is something I’ve always cherished, and Thanksgiving is a time when I can truly appreciate it. With the full amount of us, it's hard to meet up around the year, but when we do, it’s always a special and enjoyable time. Thanksgiving is a time to remember what we mean to each other. It’s about being in each other's presence, gratitude, and a sense of community that only family can bring. 

For me, that can look like helping in the kitchen, playing with my nieces and nephews, or simply being myself around the ones who know me well. There is something so comforting about being around family, knowing you can be yourself, and not having to put on a mask. The small moments are what family is all about, and Thanksgiving is a great time to remember that. 

Something I remember that my family does every year is play hide and seek outside in the dark. Even with how old we are now, we continue to play this game every year, as it has now become our tradition. One specific year, I remember my cousin sitting on a cactus near my Grandma’s neighbor's mailbox. Until this day, I remember how hard our whole family was laughing as my Aunt tried to take the pricks out of her butt. Moments like that are the reason I look forward to the holiday, especially Thanksgiving.

Because of these moments, Thanksgiving is so memorable and fun. It’s a perfect time to reconnect, laugh until we can’t, and let go as we break away from our jobs and other roles. Every year is a new time to make more memories with our old traditions, adding a beautiful start to the holiday season. Although we may not gather often, Thanksgiving always reminds me how lucky I am to have such a great family. 

David:

Growing up, Thanksgiving was not a holiday that my family celebrated. My parents are immigrants from Mexico, and Thanksgiving was not part of their culture or childhood memories. I do remember the buzz around Thanksgiving during my early elementary school days, though, and I found it to be a bit of a strange holiday as a kid. 

“Why does everyone all of a sudden like turkey? It's not even as good as chicken,” and “why do we need to dress up as Native Americans or Pilgrims and sing for the parents? I wanna be a Native American because bows and arrows are cool.” I would say to myself.

Classmates would talk about turkey, football, and big family gatherings. For my small family of four, cut off from the rest of our extended family by the Rio Grande and invisible lines, Thanksgiving passed just like any other Thursday.  As far as elementary school was concerned, Thanksgiving was a kind of quasi-Halloween with no candy and only two options for costumes anyway. 

Only when I grew older and began to get invited to other family Thanksgiving dinners did I actually begin to appreciate the value of the holiday. I remember a distinct dinner in my late teens with the family of my good friend. They did Thanksgiving right. They had all the staple dishes, a big golden brown roasted turkey, soft and savory stuffing, creamy buttery mashed potatoes, warm and silky gravy, bright tart cranberry sauce, and on and on. The moment when my eyes locked onto that delicious display of food is the moment when I thought I had understood why everyone loves and celebrates Thanksgiving. I filled my plate up to the brim with whatever I thought looked tasty and sat down with a hasty determination. I was ready to feast; I had a look of vengeance on my face that could only indicate a short and wrathful existence for the plate in front of me. Of course, I had waited for everyone to sit down and get comfortable before I ate, so as not to be rude, but those moments felt like an eternity. When everyone sat down, my buddy’s family bowed their heads in prayer and began blessing the food and people around us.

 “Ah, great, our food's gonna get cold now,” I thought to myself.

I was slightly disturbed by this speedbump, but I kept to myself and played along. I wasn’t new to this Christian thing, and it seemed appropriate anyway. This grand feast at least deserves some recognition before getting completely obliterated. After the prayer was over, I was dying to eat, but another speedbump in my quest to devour appeared. One by one, everyone at the dinner table began telling the others what they were grateful for. 

“Great, at this rate I’m gonna starve,” I thought. 

But turns out that high school me wasn’t all that stone-hearted when everything was said and done. I listened to what the people were saying and was touched by their responses. Some even began to well up as they told their loved ones how much they loved each other. Some were humorous in their way of expressing gratitude, some were shy, others were brief, but all were genuine. Soon it was my turn, and of course I was both shy and brief in my response. It was the first time I had done anything like this, and besides, I was young and not expecting to do anything other than feast. Despite my shy and brief response, I began to feel a little flutter in my heart… was it gratitude? Love? Nervousness? Whatever it was, it felt profound. I was happy to be there. The people around me were good. I belonged. After everyone had done their round, it was finally time to eat. 

“Thanksgiving is awesome,” I said to my plate as I ate. I like to think that my plate of food had an easier end to its life with my change in perspective. From wrathful to grateful.

Anyways, this particular Thanksgiving was special because I gained a meaningful experience, and my food didn’t even cool down all that much. Thanksgiving is not just about the food; it's about reinforcing connections with the people around you and is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude for this life we have been given.

 This is how I learned the true value of Thanksgiving. 

BRI:

Thanksgiving has always been a special time for me, centered around the simple but profound act of being together as a family and appreciating each other’s presence. It is a holiday that encourages us to pause from the busyness of daily life and focus on the meaningful relationships we often take for granted. Every year, before we begin our meal, everyone in my family gathers around the table. We hold hands, say a heartfelt prayer, and take a moment to truly reflect on our blessings, both big and small. Sometimes, our gratitude is straightforward, thankful for good health, a roof over our heads, or simply the food in front of us. Other times, our gratitude digs deeper, acknowledging the unwavering love and support we offer one another throughout the year, through good times and challenges alike. These moments of reflection remind us of everything we have, and more importantly, everyone we have.

Sharing this moment creates a sense of unity and comfort that goes beyond the delicious dishes on the table. It reminds me to slow down, savor the laughter and conversation, and fully embrace the time spent with my loved ones. We share stories, reminisce about past Thanksgivings, and sometimes make big, messy plans for the future. The togetherness we feel during Thanksgiving is sincere and lasting; these precious moments form the foundation of our family’s bond.

Ultimately, Thanksgiving is not just about turkey, stuffing, or pie; it is about the warmth and joy found in each other’s company. The holiday reminds us to cherish our connections, express our gratitude, and find happiness in togetherness. For me, that is what makes Thanksgiving truly meaningful every single year.

Together, our experiences show that Thanksgiving is a tapestry woven from food, gratitude, and storytelling. Each tradition, whether baking, sharing reflections, or recounting stories, contributes to the rich fabric of our family’s holiday. Year after year, these moments remind us to cherish one another and the memories we create. Thanksgiving is more than a day; it is a celebration of love, family, and the traditions that shape us. As we gather around the table, we carry these moments forward, adding new memories to the cherished ones of the past.