Family Thanksgiving Traditions

WGHS Staff share their annual Thanksgiving traditions. 
​by Neveah Patrick and Cheyenne Seagraves

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time when loved ones come together and enjoy a delicious homemade feast. Use this day to give thanks to one another, and to spread love and appreciation for each other. Every family has a unique practice on Thanksgiving.

Gym Teacher Coach Larimer has spent her Thanksgiving differently over the years. “We do Thanksgiving with my Dad's side of the family...” she continues, “but the past few years we have done it at my parents' home because it is more of a central location for everyone.” She explains that the best thing about that is they live about 5 miles from her so they don't have to go too far. She has a different opinion on some Thanksgiving dishes, “I really don't like anything pumpkin that much or pecan pie… I love ham, dressing (my mom's), mac and cheese.”

Coach Larimer gives a run down on her traditional meals. “The typical... ham, turkey, dressing, grape salad, broccoli salad, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls… some type of pie/cake/dessert, congealed salad, cranberry salad, sweet potato casserole, etc.”

Traveling during this holiday season is selective for some. “Since my husband also teaches and he is off, we might go out of town for a day trip with the kids.” She says. 

Early Christmas decorating isn’t really her thing. “I might get my tree at the beginning of December.”  “I get a real one so you can't get it too early.” she finishes, “I am not a huge decorator, but I do LOVE a real tree!”



ELA Teacher Coach Tait and his family get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday by watching the Detroit Lions football game. He states, “[The lions] are the early game on that day and we watch [it] together.” As they watch the game they also cook their holiday meal. He says depending on the year they will travel to Ohio, Michigan, sometimes Indiana because he and his wife have family in those locations. He states that this year they are going to his mother’s house. 

Coach Tait continues on about what types of food they make, “The basics, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, green bean casserole etc...” His favorite foods are gravy especially, and everything else, and his least favorite are deviled eggs. 

“Samantha, my wife, began decorating [for Christmas] at the beginning of November... I did not support this decision,” he finished. 


​
English Teacher Mr. Walker says, "The family would be keen to have Christmas decorations up for Thanksgiving, but I was always insistent that a tree and decorations were not put up until a week or two before Christmas.”

Mr. Walker and his family would play board games such as Clue, Monopoly, or Trivial Pursuits. He also stated, "When I initially came to the US I was keen to try everything set before me… which included strange American vegetables, like fried ochre, pumpkin, sweet potato with marshmallow, butternut squash and casseroled everything.” 

He added, “Sadly, I found all of them equally disgusting. It became a standing joke when I would attend family functions, I was directed immediately to the last two tables where the meat was and I would take some honey-baked ham and some turkey!”

He says most of the prep work was done by his wife, and ended by saying, “I tended to [eat first] as a family and then visit the homes of relatives.”

Thanksgiving is a fun reason to get to spend time with family, and we’re excited to hear about all the things everyone did on their Thanksgiving break!