By Sam Graudins
Thanksgiving break can be a weird one—you have enough time off from school to relax and unwind, but not always enough to justify the flight home. If it’s not within your means to travel home for the weekend, here are some Thanksgiving ideas for college students you can get into the Thanksgiving spirit at your home away from home!
Thanksgiving with Friends
1. Host your own Thanksgiving
All you need to make Thanksgiving possible is a meal and friends to appreciate it with. You’re definitely not the only person staying behind for the holiday, and definitely not the only hungry one, either, so make it happen! Reach out to friends or acquaintances on social media and give some lost souls a place to gather and be grateful. Whether it’s a potluck, restaurant, or just a quick run to the local Chinese food joint, your friends will undoubtedly appreciate the company. When it comes to Thanksgiving, your college family can be just as fun—and you don’t have to talk about your career goals with Uncle Fred and Aunt Gertrude, either!
2. Join a friend’s Thanksgiving
You may not be able to go home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a family Thanksgiving. One Thanksgiving ideas for college students is if you have friends who live in the area, politely ask if you can join their family! Thanksgiving is a holiday of, well, giving thanks for everything we have, and, more often than not, families will be happy to share in the celebration—and your friend will be grateful to have you as a buffer between them and their crazy relatives! If someone is always inviting you over for dinner, this could be the time you can finally take them up on it.
3. Skype into dinner
If you have a smart device and your holiday is more about bonding with your family than the turkey and cranberry sauce, why not beam yourself into Thanksgiving dinner on video chat? A lot of parents would be thrilled to see your shining face at the dinner table, pixelated or not, and this is a great way to share in the festivities without the cost and hassle of traveling.
Thanksgiving Solo
4. Have a DIY holiday
The suggestions so far have involved other people, but if you’re more of a homebody, there are still Thanksgiving ideas to show your gratitude on this day of thanks. Instead of organized eating plans, why not send a thankful message over Facebook, a handwritten letter, or a simple sentimental gift? Being with friends and family is about showing that you care, so a heartfelt message or gift may be even more special than a meal. Whether it’s a framed picture, an autumn leaf from your city, or a handwritten card thanking them for being in your life, it’s the perfect opportunity to tell someone you love them.
5. Volunteer!
What better Thanksgiving idea to give thanks than by giving back? This Thanksgiving, lend a hand to the people who need it most! Volunteering is an excellent way to spend the holiday, and the help is always needed. Look for a soup kitchen, food pantry, or other charitable organization, and donate your time to give back to your community. Instead of stuffing, you’ll be full of gratitude.
6. Do that thing you’ve always wanted to do
Thanksgiving is a holiday with many conventions—but that doesn’t mean you have to adhere to any of them! This is your time off, so if you end up ditching the Thanksgiving feast this year and thinking of some Thanksgiving ideas, do something you’ve always wanted to do in your college town instead. That could mean going on a hike, seeing a movie, working on a personal project, or doing absolutely nothing. All are perfectly acceptable ways to spend your free time! School can be a lot of work, and you’ve earned your holiday — whatever that ends up meaning to you!
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About the author
Sam is a life blogger from Franklin, Massachusetts, with a big heart and a bigger appetite for sweets. She loves Korean bakeries, Japanese animation, and providing you with insight into her college experience. Sam is a second-year communication studies major at Emerson College with a minor in gender studies, and she’s over the moon about sharing tips on how to have a fully-custom college experience. “Standardization is a rejection of creativity. Do you and do it big!”