Thanksgiving break starts on Nov. 20 and ends on Nov. 24, with the Iron Bowl game taking place on Nov. 25. With the break swiftly approaching, Auburn students are grateful for more than just the pause on classwork.
Whether their thankfulness is in regards to family and friends, food or football, students are excited to celebrate the holiday in their own special ways.
Libby Chapman, junior in business analytics, will be returning home to Birmingham this Thanksgiving.
Aside from watching the Iron Bowl and eating her family’s mac and cheese, Chapman is thankful for the chance to see her whole family.
“I really like having the opportunity to hang out with my family, it’s kind of rare these days since I’m the last kid to go to college,” Chapman said.
The holiday serves to make time for family that live further away to come back home and enjoy the company. Chapman’s sister will be returning home, which Chapman voiced her excitement about.
“She goes to school at Westpoint so we never get to see her,” Chapman said. “It’s always fun when she comes into town.”
Chapman loves being able to shop with her sister during her visits. Nov. 24 is Black Friday, the perfect opportunity for students to treat themselves before finals and shop for Christmas gifts.
Some Auburn students will be traveling far to visit their families for the break, especially if they have to drive out-of-state.
Annabel Court is a sophomore, majoring in business finance. She will be driving home to spend her Thanksgiving in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, which will be an exciting first for her.
For Court, spending time with the majority of her family is a rarity, as they’re mostly from Illinois and the North. Thanksgiving serves as the perfect time for a family homecoming.
“I love that it’s the one time I actually get to see all of my family,” Court said. “I love that I get to finally spend time with everybody.”
Like Chapman, Court appreciates watching football with her family and eating homemade food. However, rather than serving the traditional turkey, Court’s family will be enjoying steak and caesar salad for their Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Thanksgiving is a great way for students to enjoy home-cooked meals, something that isn’t always an often occurrence for college students.
Carsten Irizarry, sophomore majoring in civil engineering, said he loves Thanksgiving because of “the family, the friends and the food—especially the mac and cheese.”
This year, Irizarry will have multiple Thanksgiving celebrations.
“I’m attending a Friendsgiving with some of my friends here in Auburn and I’m going home for Thanksgiving as well to spend it with my family,” Irizarry said.
Friendsgiving is a twist on the typical Thanksgiving tradition of eating with family—a way for people to celebrate the holiday with their friends, or found families.
For his Friendsgiving celebration, Irizarry's group of friends were all assigned food to bring. They’ll be eating, hanging out and discussing what they are thankful for.
For his family’s Thanksgiving celebration, Irizarry looks forward to their tradition of a volleyball game, as well as watching the Michigan and Ohio State game each year with his dad.
Whether Auburn students will be staying on campus this year, celebrating with their friends or heading home to their families, Thanksgiving functions as a time to appreciate all that there is to be grateful for.
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