Thanksgiving Who? From Gravy to Ghosted

Whatever Happened to Thanksgiving? Let’s be real: Thanksgiving is having a major identity crisis. Blink twice after Halloween, and suddenly it’s Christmas everything. Starbucks is here serving Peppermint Mochas on November 1, Mariah Carey’s defrosting, and the only thing about Thanksgiving anyone remembers is that it’s the last call before Black Friday. What happened to the holiday where we sit, eat, and pretend we like each other for a day?

Honestly, I’m offended on behalf of turkeys everywhere.

@mariahcarey It’s…… TIME!!! 🎃🧊🎄 #MariahSZN ♬ original sound - Mariah Carey

From Grateful to Ghosted

Thanksgiving used to have main character energy. A whole day dedicated to eating carbs, wearing stretchy pants, and calling it tradition? Iconic. But lately, it’s like the holiday season has commitment issues, skipping right from spooky season to jingle bells without so much as a “thank you” for Thanksgiving.

And don’t get me started on how we’re all guilty. We’re too busy scrolling on TikTok, planning Christmas parties, or hyperventilating over gift lists to stop and appreciate a holiday that’s literally about being grateful.

Not me, though. I’m keeping Thanksgiving alive in my own way. For starters, I donate canned goods every year—it’s the least I can do to channel some “giving” into Thanksgiving. Then, the real tradition begins: I rewatch every Gossip Girl Thanksgiving episode. Yes, every. single. one. Season 3? Peak drama. Serena’s secrets, Blair’s monologues, Chuck’s eyebrows—it’s the perfect chaos to match my Thanksgiving energy. If your family Thanksgiving doesn’t feel like a Gossip Girl subplot, are you even doing it right?

@tophollywoods in honour of nov 1. thanksgiving is near so i had to bring back this iconic scene #gossipgirl #gossipgirlhere #gossipgirlthanksgiving #thanksgiving #november #holiday #serenavanderwoodsen #blairwaldorf #natearchibald #danhumphrey #jennyhumphrey #fypシ #xyzbca #viralvideo #uppereastside ♬ original sound - ♓️

So, Why Is Everyone Skipping Thanksgiving?

Let's call it what it is: Thanksgiving isn’t “marketable.” It’s stuck between two blockbuster holidays. Halloween has costumes and candy. Christmas has, well, everything else. Thanksgiving? It’s like the middle child of the holiday season—forgotten, overlooked, and definitely not getting a TikTok trend. Plus, let’s not pretend it’s all gravy. The holiday comes with baggage: awkward family dinners, complicated histories, and the fact that cranberry sauce is, objectively, mid. (Yes, I said it.)

@sheilaalfaro0 I have some thanks to give… #thanksgiving #christmas #retail ♬ original sound - Shay

But here’s the thing: Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food, the awkward conversations, or that one relative who brings up politics (every family has one). It’s about pausing. It’s the last quiet moment before the holiday chaos swallows us whole. It’s about gratitude—a vibe we desperately need in a world that’s moving too fast.

So this year, I’m reclaiming Thanksgiving. I’ll keep donating canned goods, rewatching Gossip Girl, and eating way too much stuffing. 

Let’s bring back the holiday that says, “Hey, maybe it’s okay to slow down for a second.” And if anyone asks, yes, Thanksgiving still matters. Even if we only show up for the pie.