30 Things We Only See At Thanksgiving
Turkey Trophies
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Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without that star of the show—the perfectly roasted turkey, golden and glistening, ready to steal the spotlight. The turkey isn't just a culinary masterpiece; it's a symbol of togetherness. As it emerges from the oven, the entire family gathers around, cameras in hand, to capture this majestic bird.
Grandma's Secret Recipes
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It's the only time of the year when Grandma reveals her secret recipes, and suddenly, everyone's a culinary expert. Grandma, the guardian of time-honored family recipes, finally opens her culinary treasure chest. Her recipe cards, smudged with decades of love, are handed down, and suddenly, everyone fancies themselves a master chef.
Stretchy Pants Parade
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The unofficial uniform of Thanksgiving, stretchy pants, because who has room for tight waistbands when there's feasting to be done? It's a fashion statement that says, "I'm here to eat, and I mean business." Stretchy pants are the unsung heroes of the holiday, accommodating the never-ending flow of mashed potatoes and gravy, ensuring comfort through the turkey-induced food coma.
Cranberry Sauce Art
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You'll see cranberry sauce molds shaped like everything from turkeys to the state of Texas. Cranberry sauce takes on a whole new level of creativity during Thanksgiving. It's not just about the taste; it's about the presentation. Enter the cranberry sauce molds, the unsung artists of the table.
Stuffing Showdown
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The ongoing debate over stuffing — inside the turkey or out? Families have their traditions, and they're not backing down! The stuffing debate is as old as the holiday itself. Should it be cooked inside the turkey, soaking up all those delicious juices, or prepared separately, with a crispy top? The family battle lines are drawn, and opinions are fiercely defended.
Football Frenzy
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Thanksgiving Day football games, a tradition as old as the holiday itself — pass the snacks and let the cheering commence! The TV becomes the focal point as generations gather to watch fierce NFL battles. The cheers and jeers can rival the roar of the stadium itself. There's something uniquely American about the pigskin action blending seamlessly with turkey consumption.
Pumpkin Spice On Everything
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From lattes to candles, you'll find pumpkin spice flavoring in almost every corner of the supermarket. As the leaves change color, pumpkin spice invades our lives like clockwork. It's not just a flavor; it's a seasonal phenomenon. The scent of pumpkin spice candles ushers in a cozy atmosphere, and the taste of pumpkin spice lattes ignites the holiday spirit.
The Great Mashed Potato Mountain
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Mashed potatoes piled high enough to rival any mountain range. Seconds, please! The potato, in its mashed form, reigns supreme on Thanksgiving. It's not just a side dish; it's a comfort food mountain. The quest for the perfect mashed potatoes involves butter, cream, and perhaps a secret ingredient passed down through generations.
The Annual Gravy Boat Rescue
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As if on cue, the gravy boat will run aground, leading to a dramatic rescue mission with an empty butter dish. In the midst of Thanksgiving's culinary chaos, the gravy boat's tragic tipping point arrives. Gravy drips over the edge, a culinary crisis that sends shockwaves through the dining room.
The Vegetarian's Dilemma
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Tofurkey, a quirky yet earnest attempt to please the vegetarian cousin while preserving the turkey tradition. Thanksgiving can pose a dilemma for vegetarians in a turkey-centric world. Enter the Tofurkey, a creation that aims to bridge the gap between tradition and dietary preferences. It's a tofu-based marvel, often shaped like a turkey, and seasoned to mimic the holiday flavors.
Overloaded Buffets
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Tables overloaded with dishes you won't find any other time — green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and jellied salad. Thanksgiving tables transform into extravagant buffets, overflowing with dishes that are as unique as they are indulgent. These overloaded buffets tell a story of abundance and tradition, where calories are blissfully ignored, and taste reigns supreme.
Family Feud Truce
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Temporary truces in long-standing family feuds — Thanksgiving is all about coming together, after all. In the warm glow of Thanksgiving, family feuds seem smaller, and grievances are temporarily set aside. Old arguments become anecdotes, and there's a collective understanding that the holiday is about unity, not division.
Grandma's Knitted Tablecloth
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That intricate, hand-knitted tablecloth that Grandma insists on using, even though it's a magnet for gravy stains. Grandma's tablecloth is a tapestry of memories meticulously woven over the years. Its presence at Thanksgiving is non-negotiable, and its vulnerability to stains becomes a collective challenge.
The Kids' Table
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The little cousins are relegated to the kids' table, where mischief brews and chocolate milk flows freely. The kids' table is a mini-republic of youthful exuberance. Here, mashed potato mountains become playgrounds and green beans are construction materials. Amidst giggles and chocolate milk mustaches, lifelong bonds are forged.
Pecan Pie Puzzles
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The annual puzzle of how to pronounce "pecan" correctly while indulging in delicious pecan pie. Pecan pie is a Thanksgiving staple, but its pronunciation sparks debates. Is it "pee-can" or "puh-kahn"? The table becomes a linguistic battleground, with each relative staunchly defending their preferred pronunciation.
Leftover Tetris
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The post-Thanksgiving challenge of fitting all the leftovers into the fridge, playing a game of culinary Tetris. After the feast, a new battle begins — leftover Tetris. The fridge becomes a strategic battlefield, with Tupperware containers as the soldiers. Tetris skills are put to the test as you attempt to squeeze in the turkey, stuffing, and pie without causing an avalanche of cranberry sauce.
The Gravy Waterfall
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The moment someone accidentally knocks over the gravy boat, turning the table into a gravy waterfall spectacle. It's a moment frozen in time — the instant the gravy boat meets its watery fate. Chaos ensues, with napkins deployed as makeshift dams and brave souls rushing to salvage dinner. The Gravy Waterfall is the Thanksgiving drama we never knew we needed.
Naptime Chronicles
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The post-feast naptime, where half the family is sprawled on couches and floors, snoring in harmony. Post-feast lethargy sets in, and the sound of synchronized snores fills the air. Couches, recliners, and even the floor become makeshift beds. It's the family's collective food-induced siesta, where dreams are sweet and the real world fades away.
Potluck Surprises
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Potluck-style Thanksgivings where each guest brings a surprise dish, leading to delightful (or not-so-delightful) surprises. Potluck Thanksgiving is an adventure in culinary roulette. Guests arrive with mysterious covered dishes, and the unveiling can lead to gastronomic delight or perplexity. Aunt Sarah's famous green bean casserole or Cousin Steve's experimental Brussels sprouts? It's a heck of a debate!
Tablecloth Artifacts
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Discovering hidden treasures under the tablecloth, like that missing fork from last year and a crumpled-up napkin note. Beneath the tablecloth lies a world of forgotten relics: A missing fork from last year's Thanksgiving mysteriously reappears, or a napkin note that reveals secrets from the past.
Competitive Pie Baking
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A fierce competition between aunts, uncles, and cousins for the title of "Best Pie Baker" because Thanksgiving pie baking is no casual affair — it's a heated competition! Aunts, uncles, and cousins enter the ring with their signature pies. The judging is serious business, and the title of "Best Pie Baker" is a coveted prize.
The "I'm Just Here for Dessert" Crew
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Those are family members who skip the main meal entirely and hover around the dessert table from the get-go. They're the sweet-toothed renegades who bypass turkey and stuffing for a direct course to pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and apple crisp. Their strategy is simple: save room for dessert first, and if there's any space left, dabble in the savory dishes later.
The Scent of Pumpkin Spice
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That irresistible aroma of pumpkin spice candles wafting through the house, signaling the holiday spirit! It's not just a scent; it's a nostalgia-inducing potion. The moment the pumpkin spice candle is lit, the whole house transforms into a cozy haven. The warm, spicy notes evoke memories of Thanksgiving's past and create an ambiance of togetherness.
Post-Dinner Pictionary
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That post-dinner Pictionary tournament, where even the most artistic family members struggle to draw "turkey!" After the feast, it's time for a showdown of artistic skills — or lack thereof. Pictionary emerges as the game of choice, and hilarity ensues as family members attempt to draw holiday-themed clues.
Thanksgiving Bingo
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Bingo takes a festive twist on Thanksgiving, with cards featuring words that capture the spirit of the holiday. Players eagerly mark off "stuffing" and "pilgrim" squares while enjoying friendly competition. The winner's prize? Bragging rights and a slice of the coveted pumpkin pie!
Pilgrim Hats
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Little kids parading around in DIY pilgrim hats, crafted in school, to celebrate the spirit of the first Thanksgiving... The children become living history projects, proudly wearing paper pilgrim hats they painstakingly created in school. They march around the house, cherishing the opportunity to be a part of history, no matter how small their pilgrim hats may be.
Epic Food Comas
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The epic food comas leave everyone immobile for hours, contemplating the wisdom of that extra slice of pie. After the Thanksgiving feast, a collective food coma descends. The couch becomes a battleground of bellyaches, and the lure of a cozy blanket is irresistible. It's a time for introspection, where we ponder the consequences of that extra slice of pie.
The Turkey Time Dance
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The "Turkey Time Dance" emerges spontaneously after dessert, fueled by joy and perhaps a little too much wine. Dessert culminates with a burst of energy — the "Turkey Time Dance." Fueled by sugar, a touch of wine, and sheer holiday glee, family members groove to imaginary turkey beats.
Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
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The Thanksgiving movie marathon, where the living room becomes a cinematic haven with a lineup of classic films, from heartwarming family dramas to side-splitting comedies and Halloween films! After the meal, cozy blankets are deployed, and the remote control becomes the wand that conjures nostalgic and heartwarming tales.
Grateful Hearts
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And above all, the shared gratitude, laughter, and love make Thanksgiving special. Thanksgiving is more than the sum of its traditions; it's a celebration of gratitude. It's a day when hearts overflow with love for family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life.
