25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (2024)

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Ciara Appelbaum

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25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (1)

While many think Thanksgiving is the bestholiday of the year, is it really?

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From the holiday's messed-up history to the insanity and frenzied consumerism that isBlack Friday, Thanksgivingisn't always all sunshineandcasseroles.

Here are 25 reasons whyThanksgiving is our least favorite holiday.

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The history is messed up.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (2)

The first Thanksgiving took place in1637, whenMassachusetts Colony Governor John Winthrop celebratedthe safe return of colonial hunters who had just massacred 700 Pequot Indians. He called ita "Thanksgiving."

Chicken is way better than turkey.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (3)

There is a reason we never eat turkey on any other day of the year. Chicken is way better.

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There's a lot of food waste.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (4)

There is no reason to make as much food as we do on Thanksgiving. And as great as leftovers are,you can only eat so much before you have to throwthe rest away.

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You're forced to watch football.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (6)

Don't like football? Tough luck, you'll probably be forced to watch a game.

You get interrogated by family at the dinner table.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (7)

With the entire holiday revolving around a lengthy sit-down dinner, there's no way of getting around your family cross-examining you.

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Someone is bound to try to drag you along to a turkey trot.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (8)

Just let us eat turkey and nap in peace.

Travel is crazy.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (9)

Not only are flights super expensive around Thanksgiving, airports are jam-packed, lines are insane, and flights are frequently delayed. Driving isn't much better as highways become clogged.

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It's hard to schedule around.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (10)

Since it always falls on a Thursday, Thanksgiving can be hard to plan around, especially with more and more businessesstaying open during the holiday. And ifyou live far from your family, you'll have to choose between seeing them for Thanksgiving or Christmas,since the two holidays are so close to each other.

You eat so much you end up hating yourself.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (11)

No matter how good your intentions are, you will overeat.

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The color scheme is gross.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (12)

Brown and orange is not our favorite color combo.

You're forced to interact with family.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (13)

Thanksgivingpressures you into seeing family — even relatives you'd rather not see. Sometimes cutting ties with family members can be healthy.

You have to pretend to enjoy the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and its second rate performers.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (14)

No one good ever performsduring Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sure, the floats can be cool, but do you really needto watch giantfloating advertisem*nts godown the street every single year?

If you don't plan way ahead you'll be faced with insanity at the grocery store.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (15)

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year at the grocery store and everyone there is buying the same exact items.

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You either need to introduce your SO to your family for the first time, or meet theirs.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (16)

Both of you will be dealing with a lot of questions.

Or, you need to deal with heartbreak, as the holidays are peak breakup season.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (17)

It's peak breakup time. Maybe they don't want you to meet their family, maybe they don't want to have to buy you a gift, or maybe the stresses surrounding the holiday just got to be too much. Regardless of the reason, prepare yourself for potential heartbreak.

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It's a tough time for vegans and vegetarians.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (18)

Traditional Thanksgiving food leaves few options for vegetarians, and practically nonefor vegans. If your dietary restrictionsdon't usually annoy people, they will on Thanksgiving.

You need to deal with mound of dirty dishes.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (19)

Nothing is worse than cleaning dirty dishes, and Thanksgiving takesthe annoying chore to new heights. Whether you hosted the shindigor are just a guest, it's nearly impossible to avoid getting your hands dirty in a clogged sink.

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Someone always makes a Jell-O Salad.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (20)

With so manydelicious Thanksgiving desserts out there, why would you make a Jell-O salad? It seems like a terribly antiquated dish, and has no business calling itself a salad.

Thanksgiving desserts are the worst.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (21)

Let's be real, no one likespecan pie. Even worse, pecan pie has the most calories, with almost 500 per slice.

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The weather is suddenly freezing.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (22)

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, you can forget about warm weather.

There's always someone who inappropriately dresses as a Native American.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (23)

Dressing up as a Native American is cultural appropriation. And don't even think about dressing up as a Native American and pilgrim duo after all the violence pilgrims wrought upon Native Americans.

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Then there's the irony of giving thanks for what you already have while planning Black Friday shopping.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (24)

How are yousupposed to be thankful for what you have when you'replanning all the new stuff you want to buy?

You'll awkwardly run into people from high school that you'd rather never see again.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (25)

Thanksgiving means being back in your hometown, which means awkwardly running into people from high school.

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It marks the start of the holiday season.

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (26)

Between family conflicts, financial woes, holiday breakups, and high expectations,not everyone loves the holidays.

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25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday (2024)

FAQs

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday? ›

For many Native Americans Thanksgiving is not a heartwarming holiday marked by gathering with family and serving others, but rather “a reminder of genocide, colonialism, and oppression, it's a symbol of smallpox blankets, Christianity, land grabs and manifest destiny,” artist Tony Abeyta says.

Why do some people not like Thanksgiving? ›

For many Native Americans Thanksgiving is not a heartwarming holiday marked by gathering with family and serving others, but rather “a reminder of genocide, colonialism, and oppression, it's a symbol of smallpox blankets, Christianity, land grabs and manifest destiny,” artist Tony Abeyta says.

What are some cons of Thanksgiving? ›

Not only does Thanksgiving glorify brutality and injustice, but it has a negative impact on the environment. The average Thanksgiving dinner for twelve people emits around one hundred and three pounds of carbon dioxide. This includes cooking (like oven use) and of course, the ingredients.

Why is Thanksgiving hard for some people? ›

During the Thanksgiving holiday many people become overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness, despair, ruminating thoughts, and loneliness. Collaboratively these feelings during the holidays often contribute to increased reports of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

Why not to say Happy Thanksgiving? ›

Another aspect that casts a shadow over the Thanksgiving narrative is the historical context of colonialism. The holiday's origin traces back to the Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a feast, but the broader history reveals the extensive land capture by Americans from indigenous people.

What are 10 facts about the first Thanksgiving? ›

15 Things You Didn't Know About The First Thanksgiving
  • The meal was cooked by only four women because all the other women pilgrims had died. ...
  • There was probably no turkey. ...
  • There was definitely no pie. ...
  • It was a feast of venison organ meat. ...
  • Everyone was drunk, even the children. ...
  • Most of the Native Americans were also dead.
Nov 16, 2012

Why is Thanksgiving a big deal? ›

Although Thanksgiving may originally have had religious significance, the day has become a mostly secular holiday. Most Americans consider the holiday a day to gather and express their thanks through food, family, and football – with multiple NFL teams playing on the holiday.

What is Thanksgiving mostly about? ›

Thanksgiving Day, annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.

Why do people skip Thanksgiving? ›

From a recent Personal Capital survey, it is reported that 22% of Americans plan to skip thanksgiving this year in order to save money. Lastly, another reason why some choose to skip Thanksgiving is simply because of the aesthetic.

Is Thanksgiving stressful? ›

The reality of Thanksgiving for some Americans is rife with family tension, arguments, sorrow and loss. Others face the stress of hosting, or the dread of being asked questions about their lives that they are not ready to answer.

Why is Thanksgiving so tiring? ›

Many people blame the main character of the traditional Thanksgiving meal — turkey — as the culprit behind the post-meal sleepiness. Turkey contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid linked to the production of neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin, which can induce feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.

What are 5 cool facts about Thanksgiving? ›

9 Fun Facts About Thanksgiving
  • The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 over a three day harvest festival. ...
  • Turkey wasn't on the menu at the first Thanksgiving. ...
  • Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. ...
  • The history of U.S. presidents pardoning turkeys is patchy.

What is the best thing about Thanksgiving? ›

Most years, one of the best things about Thanksgiving is spending time with family. Many people live far from family members and travel long distances by car, train, or plane to be with their loved ones. Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest travel days of the year!

What is the real meaning of Thanksgiving? ›

Thanksgiving in the USA is meant to bring family and friends together over a big meal to express gratitude and thanks. Historically, the holiday commemorates the unity of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, who gathered together in 1621 for a feast symbolizing peace and goodwill between their cultures.

What is the controversy with Thanksgiving? ›

Why Is Thanksgiving Still Controversial? The atrocities against Native Americans did not end with the diseases or massacres mentioned above, so seeing people celebrating the "positive" myth around Thanksgiving can be frustrating and painful for many, especially Indigenous people.

What percentage of people don't celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

According to a survey conducted in 2023, 83 percent of Americans said that they will celebrate Thanksgiving this year. In comparison, eight percent of Americans said that they would not be celebrating Thanksgiving in 2023.

Is Thanksgiving culturally sensitive? ›

It's also culturally sensitive to consider the Native perspective when it comes to Thanksgiving. The First Thanksgiving is often depicted with “nameless” Native American tribes coming together with Pilgrims to give thanks and share a meal together.

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