As this Thanksgiving rolls around, it’s time to start stuffing yourself with knowledge of how other people celebrate. Let’s take a minute to appreciate how some people in North Penn High School celebrate their Thanksgiving. 

To start off, Lindsey Lue’s family buys a pickle. “We get a pickle, and since there are four people in my family, we cut it into four pieces. Once each person gets their piece we start eating it, and whoever finishes it first gets to eat first,” Lue said. This is a way to ease the tension with who gets what first. It is a family-friendly game that anyone can enjoy. 

The next person is our very own security guard, Greg Gilran. “I usually eat dessert before dinner every year, but my grandma always yells at me for it,” Gilran stated. Although it is not very wacky, it is bitter-sweet to know his grandmother disagrees with him, but she continuously lets it happen. 

Molly Randall and her family eat desserts in a different way, every holiday. “We have this big, thick fork that we eat dessert with,” Randall said laughing. This one is definitely one of the strangest. “I don’t really know how or why, but it’s so funny,” Randall said. The Randall family has the fork hanging up in their living room, all year round, reminding them what it is used for each time they look at it. 

Another funny tradition is one from Lauren Selivs’ family. “I don’t really know if this is weird, but my family and I drink pumpkin eggnog with our Thanksgiving dinner,” Seliv stated. Not everyone drinks pumpkin eggnog, especially not with their Thanksgiving dinner, but maybe you should try it. 

Alley Williams and her family have a sweet tradition that she shares. “I call my grandma and aunts to pray in a circle before dinner. It gives us another opportunity to give thanks,” Williams said. Religion is an important aspect of some people’s lives, especially William’s. A lot of people do this, so it is not abnormal, but it is something people should consider this holiday. 

Melisa Kichukova is Bulgarian, so her Thanksgiving is a little different. “We have this party each year, and we all dance and eat food together. It is a really great way to connect and I just love my community,” Kichukova stated. Different people around the world celebrate the same holiday, and yet no one takes a deep dive to understand what people actually do.

Olivia Rehm and her brother get a gift from her grandparents. “Me and my brother have always gotten Christmas pajamas when they come over for dinner. We’ve always done this so I thought it was normal, but now I realize not everyone does this,” Rehm said. As she reflected, she realized that most people don’t do this. 

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks to the people and things around you. Every day around this year, we are thinking about that, but not thinking about how people actually celebrate the holiday. It is never too late to start learning about people we see almost every day. I hope your holiday is wonderful, however you spend it.