Aside from delivering the Dubs a week-long break, the notable November holiday, Thanksgiving, is spent expressing gratitude, spending time with loved ones, and, most importantly, the entrees. Realizing that not all families are blood, the term “Friendsgiving” was coined as a way to celebrate the holiday before or in place of Thanksgiving to spend quality time with chosen family. Warriors of all friend groups get dressed up, gather together, and feast during the cold month.
The tables are set, and the food is made, for friends to sit around the table and create memories that will last a lifetime. Friendsgiving allows people to share their favorite dishes with their friends in hopes that they will end up loving them too. Everyone pitching in to bring a dish allows for self-expression as well as determining how well their friends can cook. Junior Jalani Howard adores this tradition and the beauty behind it, which brings people together even if it only occurs just once a year. “I love it when everyone can come together at one house and share all their favorite foods,” she said.
It is no secret that technology can have the ability for humans to have face-to-face interactions with one another. Nowadays, people rely heavily on technology to communicate, altering their ability to interact with one another in person. That’s why junior Maryam Hashim, along with her friends, has made it a tradition during Friendsgiving dinner to put their phones in the middle of the table, out of reach, to keep them engaged with one another. “We get to spend time with each other without any distractions,” she said. “It’s refreshing to have a genuine conversation with my friends without worrying about what’s going on on social media.”
Out of all the traditions that Friendsgiving brings, the food is the most memorable of them all. Turkey, Mac & Cheese, Cranberry sauce (Oh My!), Friendsgiving includes all the sweet and savory dishes that make Thanksgiving dinners unforgettable. For senior Alex Chalk, dessert is his specialty. Each year, Chalk brings Apple Crumble, a warm dessert with baked apples spiced with cinnamon, topped with a sweet crumbly topping typically made from flour, sugar, and butter. “Every year, my own little unique tradition is bringing Apple Crumble to every friendsgiving,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite things to bring.”
During the Thanksgiving season, it is evident that the Dubs adore spending time with their friends, expressing gratitude, and overall meals they get to share with others. Friendsgiving brings friend groups together and is a beloved tradition among the North Atlanta community.
