From the abundance of food spread across the table to the culmination of family and friends interacting with each other in the living room, Thanksgiving has provided Americans with a day filled with feasting and having a good time with others. The holiday officially started back in the year 1621, when the pilgrims held their first harvest feast with the Wampanoag people.
With the typical Thanksgiving feast, food items such as ham, stuffing, cranberries and golden brown turkey create an aroma throughout the room, causing the hungry stomachs of the people to grumble while they wait to eat.
Aside from the feast, Thanksgiving is also seen as a holiday where people express gratitude towards their loved ones and anyone they feel makes an impact in their lives. It is also seen as a day to give back to those in need through volunteer events such as helping out at the local soup kitchen and donating canned goods and non-perishables to food banks.
Although many celebrate America’s day of giving thanks, there are some who would consider other options for what the holiday has in store for them. Whether that be through potential substitutions for the Thanksgiving menu items or changing the way in which the holiday should be celebrated, USC students across the campus expressed the ways in which they don’t like Thanksgiving and what can change to possibly make the holiday better for them.
Brandon Gardner, a freshman and member of the Trojan men’s basketball team, expressed his feelings toward turkey and how he wouldn’t want it on the table. Gardner believes that there are better items to eat on Thanksgiving than turkey.
“I don’t like turkey. You shouldn’t make turkey. That thing is dry,” Gardner said. “People try to put cranberries on it, but I don’t mess with that. I like ham, macaroni and a lot of cake.”
Matt Cembrano, a senior majoring in computer science games, agreed with Gardner about potentially taking turkey off of the Thanksgiving menu. But Cembrano brought up how he gets put in a “food coma” after indulging in some turkey and how that affects his holiday experience.
“I think turkey is a super overrated meat choice for Thanksgiving,” Cembrano said. “You just eat it and you just get super tired. And then you fall asleep and the rest of your Thanksgiving is gone when you could have so much more time to be doing things with your family.”
Both Cembrano and Gardner suggested cooking chicken for Thanksgiving instead of turkey knowing the different kinds of recipes families could come up with and the commonality of what others would prefer.
Even with that said, Gardner acknowledged the fact that all families have their own unique take on Thanksgiving and what they decide to put on the table for the feast. Gardner said he doesn’t want to shame any family for the way they go about the holiday.
“I feel like Thanksgiving should be celebrated however you want to celebrate it, you should just be you,” Gardner said.
Patrick Carbone, a senior majoring in neuroscience, has a strong hatred toward cranberry sauce. Carbone wants nothing to do with it and knows he’s not putting any amount onto his plate.
“Cranberry sauce sucks. It tastes really bad,” Carbone said. “I know there’s probably a lot of people who would disagree, but it’s just not for me. Just get rid of it and don’t ever make it or put it out again.”
London Wijay, a freshman looking to major in real estate development, felt that the holiday seems to add more stress to the families knowing they have to prepare everything in a timely manner. Wijay wants the holiday to not be as hectic in order to preserve the time she has with those around her.
“I feel that Thanksgiving should just be a sit-down dinner and not a day you should stress out about cooking all the meals,” Wijay said. “You should enjoy the time with your family and have a good time while enjoying good food.”