The word “Thanksgiving” often conjures up visions of family gatherings, complete with stuffing, pumpkin pie and a turkey cooked to perfection. However, some recall Thanksgiving events that are a bit different from the norm.

Because this holiday is just around the corner, The Feather has obtained a few stories regarding past Thanksgivings. During the next several days, additional stories will be published below.

In addition to these collected responses, The Feather encourages readers to email their own stories to [email protected] until the day after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Christmas
Tynin Fries, ’14
Nov. 24, 2010

My family, on Thanksgiving, gathers at my grandparents’ house. We have a fabulous home-made meal with all the usual food.

At my house Thanksgiving is mixed with another holiday — Christmas! We love Christmas; usually before Thanksgiving even comes around we decorate for Christmas. Not the usual decorations, but all out! Every room is decorated. One of my favorite decorations is how we wrap our picture frames (so they look like presents).

Although Christmas sometimes comes first, Thanksgiving is not forgotten. While eating at my grandparents’ house, we all go around the table sharing one thing we are most thankful for. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God and appreciate what he gave us.

Thanksgiving talent shows
Josiah Ford, ’11
Nov. 24, 2010

Every year for Thanksgiving my extended family comes to visit. We put on a talent show, and they sing or dance or perform a skit for the rest of the group. I don’t participate in these activities, but they are very funny to watch.

Traditional Thanksgivings
Todd Bennett, principal
Nov. 24, 2010

Thanksgivings in my family growing up were pretty traditional. We would all go to my grandparents’ house at about noon. My granny and granddad, brother, sister, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles would gather for a huge turkey dinner which included my aunt’s fruit-and-marshmallow salad.

We always had both apple and cherry pie for dessert, along with oatmeal cookies. We’d eat at about 1 in the afternoon. Both of my grandparents were big football fans, but they rooted for different college teams.

My granny would watch a game in the living room and my granddad had a different one on in the family room. Every once in a while, we would hear one of them (usually Granny) yelling at the television. In the evening we’d eat turkey sandwiches and watch the Bob Hope Christmas Special.

Thanksgiving on the coast
Jeff Roseth, ’12
Nov. 23, 2010

Every Thanksgiving weekend my family goes to our beach house in Pismo. We go beyond the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, etc., by having my aunts bring sticky rice and barbecued pork.

Thanksgiving with friends
Beatriz Foth, Spanish teacher
Nov. 23, 2010

Every Thanksgiving we celebrate with multiple friends and their families, who are missionaries in other countries. We always go to one of their houses, so I have never hosted a Thanksgiving meal.

A turkey-less Thanksgiving
Robert Hill, ’14
Nov. 23, 2010

When I was young, my cousins had just had their first baby. Everyone was paying so much attention to them (including my grandma) that they forgot all about the food that was being cooked. When we finally remembered that the turkey was still in the oven, it had been burned to a blackened crisp. We ate the rest of our meal without the turkey.

Thanksgiving in transit
Elora Hargis, ’14
Nov. 22, 2010

In 2007, my grandma passed away on Thanksgiving Day. My parents, sister and I ran to the airport to fly to Colorado so we could be with the rest of our family. The flight should’ve taken about two hours; but, due to various layovers, the trip took eight hours, despite the fact that we were racing through the airports to catch our planes. Since it was Thanksgiving Day, we were the only ones on the planes.

Italian Thanksgiving
Natalie Douty, junior high humanities teacher
Nov. 22, 2010

My family is Italian, so every Thanksgiving we see dozens of relatives. This year there will be 38 of us (lots of kids) and we will gather at my mom’s house.

We have meatballs, Italian sausage and pasta or ravioli as well as the normal Thanksgiving food.

Thanksgiving tractor
Eric Cowin, ’14
Nov. 22, 2010

My grandpa was working on his farm on Thanksgiving, and while driving his tractor around he accidentally hit something metal, causing his tires to pop. Water from the tires spewed everywhere, soaking him. We still make fun of him.

A vivid imagination
Bianca Hinojosa, ’12
Nov. 22, 2010

Every year for Thanksgiving my family goes to one of my cousins’ houses. Since my family is Mexican, we have posole or menudo, in addition to the usual Thanksgiving foods.

When I was in second or third grade, our parents had set up multiple round tables with table cloths for our large family to eat at. After dinner, while our parents were still sitting and visiting, my cousins and I played “spies” by crawling underneath the tables and hiding under the long table cloths.

A shocking form of expression
Matt Adams, ’13
Nov. 22, 2010

A few years ago, we were spending Thanksgiving with my very conservative grandparents. When my mom served my five year old brother green beans, he shocked them by shouting an expletive. Their faces registered horrified expressions, which was very funny.

For more discussion, read the continuously updated article, Perfect dates: Join the conversation.

Tweet