Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It’s more than just turkey and pie — it’s the memories, the music, the little traditions that make it special year after year. Some things might change, but there are a few Thanksgiving rituals I’ll never let go of.

Staying Up All Night Cooking

There’s something comforting about the quiet hours before Thanksgiving morning — the kitchen warm, music playing softly, and the smell of everything coming together. I stay up all night cooking the turkey, prepping the dressing, and making my sausage balls along with all the other goodies. It’s exhausting, sure, but it’s also the heart of the holiday for me. And yes, my cranberry sauce will always come straight out of the can — one big, wobbly blob with the lines still showing. That’s non-negotiable.

Music, Memories, and Late-Night Reflections

While the oven hums and the house fills with the smell of home cooking, I love to listen to music and think back on Thanksgivings gone by. It’s usually a mix of laughter and a little nostalgia — remembering my mama in her apron, the kids underfoot, and the beautiful chaos that always came with family gatherings.

Parade Morning Magic

No matter how late I’ve stayed up the night before, I’m up early on Thanksgiving morning. Watching the parades has always been part of the day — it just wouldn’t feel right without it. I used to spread the newspaper out across the table, flipping through all the Black Friday ads while the floats went by. These days, with no local paper, I scroll through my phone instead. It’s not quite the same, but it still brings back that familiar excitement.

Black Friday Memories

Back in the day, I’d be up before dawn, coffee in hand, ready to hit the stores with a plan and a mission. Elbow-to-elbow with other shoppers, hunting down those doorbusters — that was half the fun. Now, I do about 95% of my shopping online. It’s calmer, easier, and honestly, I don’t miss the crowds one bit. But I still smile thinking about those early mornings and how wild it all used to be.

Putting Up the Christmas Trees

My absolute favorite tradition comes right after Thanksgiving dinner — putting up my trees. I know a lot of folks start early these days, but I love my fall and Thanksgiving décor too much to rush through it. That was my mama’s tradition, and I hold it close to my heart. My main tree is always a live one, so putting it up before Thanksgiving isn’t really an option if I want it to last through New Year’s. There’s just something special about making the switch from pumpkins to twinkle lights when the leftovers are packed away and the house smells like pie.

Football and Charlie Brown

You can bet there’s always football on the TV, especially when the Dallas Cowboys play — that’s just part of being a Texan on Thanksgiving Day. And sometime during the week before, I always make sure to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving when it airs. It’s a small, sweet reminder of the simpler holidays when I was growing up.

Thanksgiving may look a little different these days — fewer ads to flip through and more shopping done online — but the spirit of it all stays the same. Family, food, laughter, and those timeless little traditions are what make the day so special. And those? I’ll always hold on to.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

Every November 1st and 2nd, families across Mexico and beyond come together to celebrate Día de Muertos — the Day of the Dead. It’s not a day of mourning but of remembrance, a time when the veil between the living and the departed grows thin, and love bridges the gap.

Ever since I was able to spend a significant amount of time in Mexico City, I’ve admired this beautiful tradition. The colors, the music, the marigolds — everything about it is meant to honor life, not death. The belief is simple yet powerful: our loved ones never truly leave us as long as we keep their memory alive.

The Meaning Behind the Altars

At the heart of every Día de Muertos celebration is the ofrenda, an altar built to welcome the spirits home. Each piece of the altar has a meaning — candles to light the way, water to quench thirst after a long journey, and favorite foods or trinkets to remind the spirit of home. The marigolds, or cempasúchil, with their bright orange petals and sweet scent, are said to guide souls back to the land of the living.

For many, the ofrenda isn’t just decoration — it’s a love letter to those who came before us. It’s a space where grief turns into gratitude, and remembrance turns into celebration.

A Celebration of Connection

I’ve always believed that love doesn’t fade when someone passes — it just changes form. Día de Muertos captures that so beautifully. Families gather around gravesites, share stories, eat together, and laugh at old memories. It’s not somber — it’s lively, colorful, and deeply emotional.

The sugar skulls, or calaveras, are playful reminders that death is a part of life, not something to fear. The pan de muerto — that sweet, soft bread often shaped with bones — symbolizes the cycle of life itself. It’s a blend of sweetness and symbolism, much like the holiday itself.

Bringing the Spirit Home

Even if you’re not in Mexico, there’s something to learn from this tradition. Setting up a small ofrenda at home, lighting a candle, or cooking your loved one’s favorite meal can be a meaningful way to honor them. It’s not about getting everything “right” — it’s about connection, love, and remembrance.

For me, I find comfort in thinking that maybe, just maybe, our loved ones stop by when we speak their names or share their stories. Maybe the warmth we feel isn’t just memory — it’s them.