Celebrating that holiday between Halloween and Christmas

If you have been to Target, a mall or Center City recently, you may have noticed  that as soon as Halloween ended, the Christmas season took full swing. With decoration sales, Christmas trees and ice skating rinks popping up all over the place, it can be easy to forget the other holiday between Oct. 31 and Dec. 25: Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not always seen as the most exciting holiday. It may bring up some mixed emotions, and it does not have the commercial appeal as other holidays. However, it can still be a time worth celebrating for reflection, family and food.

Here are a few ways to make the most of the often-forgotten Thanksgiving season:

Movies: Thanksgiving does not have quite the array of films as other holidays, but there are a few out there that take place around the holiday. Movies such as “The Blind Side,” “You’ve Got Mail” and even “Rocky” feature scenes that will make you look forward to the holiday dinner. If all else fails, the classic “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will never let you down. 

Decor: Although every department store has already set up its Christmas tree display, it’s not time to put away the fall decorations just yet. While you may not feel motivated to trace your hand and make a turkey, there are also plenty of other ways you can decorate your space for the Thanksgiving season. Pumpkins, autumn leaves and red and orange accents will help to foster the Thanksgiving spirit and allow you to hold onto fall for a little longer.

Activities: While many people limit Thanksgiving activities to the actual day, there are some ways you can celebrate the season to the fullest. Since it’s still fall, it’s not too late to visit a pumpkin patch or farmer’s market. Places like Linvilla Orchards can fulfill your final autumn wishes with pumpkins, fresh apple cider and seasonal activities, while also providing key ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner.

Friendsgiving: Although it might sound cheesy, a “Friendsgiving” dinner can be a fun alternative for those who may not enjoy or are unable to put together the traditional holiday celebration. With a Friendsgiving dinner, you can have all the benefits of the typical Thanksgiving dinner – namely, the food — but on your own terms. You can surround yourself with friends and think about just how grateful you are to have them in your life.

Parades: Thanksgiving offers the best parades by far. While the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a favorite among television viewers, those in the Philadelphia area have the opportunity to attend the country’s oldest Thanksgiving parade right in their town. Although these parades take place only on Thanksgiving Day, they’re a fun tradition you can look forward to in the weeks ahead.

Food: Saving the best for last, it’s finally time to talk about the highlight of the holiday: the food. Whether it’s turkey, stuffing or cranberry sauce, we all have our favorite Thanksgiving dish. While you may want to save the full meal for actual day, it is never too early to indulge in some pie or test out a new recipe to prepare for the big feast.

Thanksgiving is largely overshadowed by the Christmas season, which seems to be starting sooner and sooner each year. While Christmas may be more exciting, Thanksgiving could still use some recognition, as it can be a time to be grateful, spend time with family and friends and eat some delicious food.