THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS by Stanton & Company
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? Find out some family traditions and memories in addition to current plans of how the S&Co team will be spending their turkey day this year:
Dana: This Thanksgiving, I am heading east to be in Boston with my family (Brr!) Every year, my sister and I wake up early, bundle up and run in a Turkey Trot. It is very difficult to get motivated but we always feel great afterwards and work up an appetite.
Leah: I know it’s untraditional but since I am a Pescatarian I make my famous pesto salmon. Everyone else can make fun of me for not eating turkey but once they try my homemade pesto drizzled over perfectly cooked fresh, wild salmon; they are always sold. We always spend it with friends in LA so there is an eclectic mix of dietary preferences and gourmet offerings. We usually hope to add to this with our more unique table offerings.
Maikel: As fresh out-of-towners, with no big family events committed to, we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving with a fun road trip to San Diego. This year especially we have much to be thankful for, as we welcomed another beautiful girl to our family. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Jody: American Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I am Canadian! Thanksgiving in the U.S. is the official kick off to the holiday season, it is about spending time with friends and family while enjoying great food without the pressure of buying the right gift or throwing the right party. My American Thanksgiving experiences have varied over the years from watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as I prep the turkey or flying somewhere warm to be with friends and family. Wherever I am or whatever the activity, it always includes plenty of food and quality time bonding with the important people in my life!
Keren: This holiday season I have lots to be thankful for as I should be welcoming my first niece over the Thanksgiving weekend. Of course this makes the holidays a little more strenuous as we don’t know exactly when we will be expecting her, but either way I am excited to spend time with my family and friends!
Devon: Every year, without fail, no matter where we congregate as a family, we all (at my Dad’s pleading) watch the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles with John Candy and Steve Martin. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Stubbville, driving the wrong way on the interstate and shower curtain rings. If you haven’t seen the movie, make it a new tradition this year! Above all else, it’s the message that’s most important; it’s about extending love and generosity to everyone, especially those who have less than us this Thanksgiving.
Amy: For our family, Thanksgiving has changed over the years. My grandparents used to host everyone at their house. My grandfather was in charge of carving the turkey – I would always test it out to make sure it tasted good (and it always did!). Now, my mom is in charge of Thanksgiving dinner and she does an amazing job – with our family all over the place, we bring together a fun group of family and friends in town, still true to my grandmother’s unique Thanksgiving recipes. A combination of old and new, tradition and fresh energy, it’s one of my favorite holidays and all about bringing loved ones together
Kara: I’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Nashville with my family this year. In addition to some yes ma’am and ya’ll, I’ll be looking forward to some good old southern hospitality and of course cooking! Sweet potatoes are my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dish. I’m also really excited to see my dog Molly and to read American Girl books to my seven year old niece. It’s hard living so far away from them, so I really maximize the time I have with my family when I’m home.
Denege: Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! Not only is it a day of thanks for all of the blessings in our lives, but it’s also a time for family, food and football. My Thanksgiving tradition is one of many. Yes, we do have the traditional fried turkey and my Grandma’s famous chocolate peanut butter cake, but it wouldn’t be complete without my Uncles and cousins standing in a circle downing their Coors Lights and whiskey high balls in Styrofoam cups telling dirty jokes, talking about their duck kill that morning, making fun of being married into the LaFleur family and my family having LS (LaFleur Syndrome); and of course my Aunt Michelle yelling that she “brought da dip!” Yes, every 
year without fail, she brings “da dip” and makes everyone aware that she made it…probably weeks ago in preparation. This is the only Holiday my mom’s entire family gets together (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.) so it’s very special. Even with all of the craziness that is Thanksgiving with the LaFleur family, our most important tradition is the circle we create when we all get together and hold hands to give thanks to God for all that he has blessed us with…even LS!