Thanksgiving: Expectations vs. Reality

Thanksgiving is a time for family, good food, and peace. It is a nice relaxing time before the frantic energy that the Christmas season always brings. Thanksgiving is the kind of holiday that allows you to take a moment and appreciate everything you have. However, sometimes it is not always picture perfect, here are 11 expectations that someone can have for Thanksgiving.

1. Expectation: When hosting, you’re allowed to leave your room “messy” while family is over because everyone will be spending time downstairs.

Reality: Your parents force you to clean your room because “company is coming over”, however, no one in your family goes anywhere near your room.

2. Expectation: The cook is relaxed while making the food and Christmas music will be playing and there will be dancing.

Reality: The cook is so stressed out that they yell at you for just stepping foot in the kitchen.

3. Expectation: You get to see your favorite aunt/uncle/cousin/relative (you definitely have one).

Reality: That family member gets sick and can’t make it.

4. Expectation: The cooking goes smoothly with no problems.

Reality: You’ve made at least half a dozen trips to the store to get forgotten ingredients.

5. Expectation: The weather is nice.

Reality: With the exception of this year, it is cold and possibly snowing.

6. Expectation: Relatives will drink responsibly.

Reality: Your Great Aunt drinks too much and gets a little too wild.

7. Expectation: You have polite conversations with your family.

Reality: Politics come up in every conversation, causing a fight between opposing sides.

8. Expectation: Finally sitting at the adult table.

Reality: Being stuck babysitting at the kids table.

9. Expectation: You are relaxed.

Reality: You try to remain calm with the avalanche of work that still needs to be done.

10. Expectation: Black Friday shopping begins on Friday.

Reality: Dinner is cut short to begin shopping at 6 pm.

11. Expectation: You overeat.

Reality: You overeat (as expected).