Thanksgiving is around the corner and many traditions date back to many years ago. That being said, more dated traditions can shift each year. The usual holiday vision of a turkey on the table with family may look different for everyone as each year becomes modernized. With the Turkey Trot or a parade, everyone finds the true meaning of a “tradition” to their family.
While most stay home for Thanksgiving, that’s not the case for Ava McMillin ’27, who ventures all the way to North Carolina yearly. The long travel makes it worth it to see family this holiday. .
“We like to get together with our family friends that moved to North Carolina, every year and we go there for about a week,” McMillin said, “We started this tradition two years ago when they moved and we wanted to make this holiday a connection to them each year.I like traveling but I do miss home around this fun holiday, North Carolina is very pretty though and I miss my family and friends.”
Moving over to the west of us, Student Activities Coordinator Melissa Petz explains how this year they are making their family of three work, while their oldest daughter celebrates from afar at the University of Oregon.
“We have a very modern family, we don’t really thrive on traditions as much as we really enjoy the people we are with who have the flexibility to spend time with those who they chose at this holiday,” Petz said. “This year in particular, since Lily is attending the University of Oregon, which means prices are too high to come back to the midwest, so she will celebrate with friends or brother.”
Some students like Taylor Lewis ’25 are the youngest and this holiday can be a time for them to catch up with loved ones and see older siblings who don’t live at home anymore. Thanksgiving can bring everyone closer in proximity, no matter where the destination is, it’s the family that makes this holiday so special.
“My plans for Thanksgiving are to go down to Tampa, Florida where I’ll be spending time with my family,” Lewis said. “I’m excited for break because I get to see my older siblings which I haven’t seen since late summer.It’s nice to get back to our traditions within our family where all of us prepare all day for the big Thanksgiving buffet.”
With their family spread out across the map, Petz still has plans to keep it modern but celebratory in Grosse Pointe. With the annual Turkey Trot which is familiar to many students, as well as seeing other family members in town to feast.
“The rest of our family are going to hang out with my mom since she lives close by, and we are thinking about doing the Turkey Trot,” Petz said. “The best part about Thanksgiving is getting to be cozy with some comfort food.”
