This Oct. 12, 2015 photo shows citrus pumpkin meringue pie in Concord, NH. This Thanksgiving pie is deliciously deceptive, hidden under the meringue is a classic pumpkin pie spiked with just a hint of citrus. (AP).
Edward: Imagine all the things you dislike about Thanksgiving. The traveling, the arguments with the family or the annoying cousins and siblings that you see twice a year, but have to pretend that you love dearly. These are all problems for adults on Thanksgiving, but children don’t have to deal with any of these problems.
Traveling is not a problem for children because they can easily take a nap. They’re not responsible for directions, carrying luggage or driving anywhere. Crazy uncle Steve’s not going to start arguing about the downfall of society at the children’s table either, so kids get to avoid that nonsense. What we adults see as annoyances and troublemaking is just pure fun and excitement for children, who get to team up with those kids that we consider annoying and just have fun. There’s no sense of wonder when it comes to Thanksgiving, but Thanksgiving is definitely more fun for kids than adults.
Matt: I definitely see your point about uncle Steve, that kind of family member is so obnoxious. As adults, we have a keener ability to be subjective about something such as those annoyances. To this extent, while there is some fun to be had teaming up, there lies a world of possibilities that can go into having a more enjoyable Thanksgiving than as a kid. There is no sense of wonder, but there is a sense of stability that is comforting.
That comfort is something great to settle on and can be taken advantage of in order to have more fun than as a kid. Catching up with friends and family at Thanksgiving can be a blast. Letting the good times roll versus having a bedtime makes Thanksgiving more fun as an adult.
Edward: Your retort is as cold and lifeless as Thanksgiving itself when you find yourself seated between an annoying cousin and that conspiracy theorist you “get” to see twice a year. Thanksgiving isn’t known for good will, nor is it even about giving thanks for the great things in our lives anymore. Instead, adult Thanksgiving frequently ends with people trampling each other to get an Xbox for half price. I haven’t even mentioned how many adults have to work on Thanksgiving, which is just offensive to me.
Adult Thanksgiving comes with endless trials and tributes to family and friends and people you might not even like, but as a child you don’t have to worry about that. Thanksgiving can be as much a hassle as a holiday, and only children are spared from the arguments that would result in a murder if there weren’t witnesses. Children have it the best on Thanksgiving, hands down.
Matt: It is true that many adults end up working on Thanksgiving, but given the economic downturn in recent years tough choices are made. Perhaps there is a correlation there that has made Thanksgiving cold and hollow for some. Not to mention fuel for those awful and terrible conversations. There is a choice to be made in order to make Thanksgiving fun, and many of the considerations are not something a kid is informed on in order to make those choices.
It isn’t hard for an adult to know what they need in order to have fun. Beer and football, or seeing your nephews is a fun experience for some. It wouldn’t be a trial to cook if someone likes to cook, so Thanksgiving is that person’s time to shine. For the adult, though, not every Thanksgiving ends in pandemonium. Small families probably have that better. Thanksgiving will always be that time to get together and there will always be the chance to make it good in a way only an adult can.
Edward Pankowski is the life editor for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at edward.pankowski@uconn.edu.
Matthew Gilbert is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at matthew.gilbert@uconn.edu.
