Public Republic

Everyone loves Thanksgiving but not everyone celebrates it in the same way. Several college students from Buffalo, New York, share their Thanksgiving experiences and plans for this year’s holiday.

Photo: WishUponACupcake

Dan Bayer

What are you most grateful for?

Entirely Delicious Pies.

Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?

With the family.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Dessert

What do you usually do after the meal is finished?

Turkey-Coma during the football game

In your opinion, why is Thanksgiving so important?

It’s one of the few times of the year that all the family comes together.

Jonathan Beck

What are you most grateful for?

The travel opportunities I’ve had since beginning college, the family that always supports me and my hair-brained schemes, my NGHS/CIL colleagues, my education and my girlfriend.

Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?

I will be spending Thanksgiving downstate on Long Island with my girlfriend’s family.

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

Christmas music!

What do you usually do after the meal is finished?

I pass out from all the food I’ve eaten…and then eat desert!

In your opinion, why is Thanksgiving so important?

Thanksgiving is important because it’s part of our national heritage. It is something that the United States has that is unique (at least during that time of the year), and as such it’s something that we can talk about with those who aren’t from the U.S. For me, it’s a chance to spend time with family.

Curtis Lenihan

What are you most grateful for?

That I won’t have to work and that someone will be cooking a lot of food for me.

Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?

At my Brother’s house with JASMINA TACHEVA

Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

My family is not very traditional, we just eat and go about our lives. Which is probably why I don’t regard this day so much except for the fact that people have off, and I can’t find any stores that are open except for big name chains that will never close for anything.

What do you usually do after the meal is finished?

I go about my way and do whatever I would normally do after any meal, it all depends on my plans. Again, this isn’t a special day for me except that I get a larger meal than usual.

In your opinion, why is Thanksgiving so important?

I honestly have no clue, what we are taught to believe in school about its historical sigfnificance is a lie. I probably know much less about this day because of my American schooling. For the most part, the mentality with others about this day is it is a time for families to get together and thank each other, but no matter what, it will end up with family members feuding over something by the end of the night. (Probably because of all the alcohol consumed).