I love Thanksgiving! It’s my favorite holiday. One of the reasons is that I met my husband on Thanksgiving day in 2003. I had been invited to my roommate’s parents house for the holiday. While I was there I met her brother… who is now my husband. But this great holiday was my favorite even before that.
I like Thanksgiving because it’s low-key. There isn’t a huge lead up to the holiday. You don’t spend WEEKS before the actual event listening to commercials and promotions so that you are sick of the holiday before it even arrives. There are no gifts to buy or crazy decorations. There’s no overplayed Thanksgiving songs that are funny at first and then just annoying. Unless you are hosting you don’t need a Thanksgiving budget. You don’t spend all year planning so that you can pull off Thanksgiving debt free. You just enjoy it.
Some holidays are barely worth the trouble and certainly not worth the cost. Easter, Valentines day, and Mother’s and Father’s day, all too high on the expense to joy ratio. Other’s are so expensive that their joy is almost overshadowed by the cost. Yes, I’m looking at you Christmas! Halloween is ok, at least the cost is offset by the fun. Halloween is pretty fun! I’d call Halloween a wash, and if you disagree it’s acceptable to sit the holiday out which makes it pretty good too.
But Thanksgiving is all the things important about holidays, family, gratitude, and food, without the cost. If you are being a guest this year then huge score! If you bring a dish you might spend $10. If you can get by without bringing anything then well… Thanksgiving is free. A free holiday. You don’t get that very often! If you are hosting you can adjust the cost as you see fit. Have a pot luck, invite fewer guests (if that’s possible!), serve less expensive foods, or team up with another family member to cost share.
This year we are doing some traveling. Which blows my whole frugal holiday out of the water, I know. As you are reading this we are at my Dad’s house hopefully enjoying some snow. We got our plane tickets, rental car, and lodging for free (thanks Dad!) but we still spent about $100 on winter gear, cause I live in Phoenix and don’t have anything warmer than a long sleeved T-shirt. We are also taking care of Thanksgiving dinner so there’s some costs there, as well as spending money while we are there.
Ok for anything Thanksgiving article it’s required to say what you are thankful for. So here we go, in no particular order. I’m thankful for:
- My husband
- My kids
- Everyone else in my family, both related and friends
- My readers
- The internet and books for all the learning I get to do everyday
- My health and the health of my family
- My husband’s job
- My freedom
What are you thankful for? What are you doing for the holiday?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too! Too often we take all the wonderful things in our life for granted, and focus on all the negative things. One thing I am very thankful for this year are all the great people that I have met online this year through blogging. I am very thankful to have met you Ashley, and hope you and your family have a great Turkey day!
Awww… thanks Travis. I feel the same way. Happy Thanksgiving!!! I’m cooking pies as I type! Mmm…
Thanksgiving is totally my fav holiday, for all the reasons you mentioned. I especially love spending time with family while eating amazing food.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Wohoo for Thanksgiving!! Hope you have a great one!
I like Thanksgiving better than Christmas in many ways, including that there’s much less pressure to spend money. It’s really just about the people, the food, and the relaxation, all of which I’m thankful for.