Living in Christmas’s Shadow 

Thanksgiving is the underdog of all the holidays. Living in between two powerful holidays, Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving has never gotten its real chance to shine. I believe that we should never overlook the most wonderful time of the year for some other bum holiday, here’s why! 

1. The History 

Thanksgiving isn’t just an excuse to get together with your family and gain a few extra pounds, this is a holiday based on the togetherness between Pilgrims and Native Americans. On a brisk day in 1621, the pilgrims shot their guns into the air, which caused the Wampanoag people to prepare for a battle. However, this battle was turned into a wonderful feast between the two groups. We now celebrate this day with a wonderful feast. 

2. The Gathering 

Thanksgiving is a time when family and friends gather, often from far and wide, to share a meal and catch up. It's a time to create or rekindle relationships, fostering a sense of togetherness that is unique to this holiday. 

3. No Commercial Hype 

Unlike some other holidays, Thanksgiving isn't heavily commercialized. You won't find a frenzy of shopping deals or elaborate decorations. This lack of commercial hype allows people to focus on what truly matters—family, friends, and the spirit of giving thanks. Now Black Friday, that is another matter…

4. Football 

As in the wise words of The New York Herald, Thanksgiving is the official holiday to watch football.  Since 1920, football has always been played on Thanksgiving for all the people to sit around with their meals and enjoy a great game of football. A great sport that gets the whole family together. 

5. THE FOOD 

One word: feasting. Thanksgiving is a celebration of culinary delights, from succulent turkey and rich gravy to pumpkin pie and all the trimmings. Food is a universal language that brings people together, and Thanksgiving serves as a platform for showcasing and sharing family recipes and cultural dishes. There's a warm feeling in knowing that countless households are simultaneously savoring the same traditional dishes. Turkey, rolls, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pies on pies, the list goes on and on. This holiday is the #1 excuse to sit around and get fat.

So, as the holiday season approaches, let's not overlook Thanksgiving. Take the time to savor the moments, reflect on your blessings, and celebrate this special day with the people who matter most. Thanksgiving truly deserves a more prominent place in our hearts and in the holiday lineup.

Halloween is classic by John Carpenter which is to credit to the birth and boom of the slasher genre and is a long lasting tradition for me to watch every Halloween night. One Halloween night he murders his 17 year old sister. Micheal was then locked away many years later while being transferred Micheal escape and finds his way back to his quiet hometown. Michael Myers is icon through horror history and while many sequeles have come and go nothing can ever capture the spirit quiet like the John Carpenter original did.

The Thing is another example of John Carpenter dominance in America horror landscape. The thing has quiet simple present of a research team in Antarctica being hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims. The main horror comes from all the different body horror elements while I'm personally fan of my favorite part of the things has got to be the elemental of untrust that constantly makes you question if you can really trust even the main characters. 

Raw by Julia Ducournau is psychologicial horror that centers on Justine's, who's family is vegetarians, is a girl who is attending vet school. After start to Justine new school she is force to eat raw meat through unexpected hazing. Unexpected consequences emerge as her psychical self begins to change. Raw is truly the first thing of media to ever make me feel just gross about eating meat and everytime I watch it, I question going vegan.

Now MadMax is going to check out I hope you check one of these films to add to the scream list.

1. Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans perfectly gets me into fall with the remembrance of America's favorite sport. The story takes place in 1971 after a former all-white school is forced to integrate an all-black school football foundation gets tested. Many associate football with fall as the football season latest all of fall. Even more, watching this expression fall more than words could even describe. Watching this film perfectly makes me think of fall with the beautiful cinematography of this beautiful season.

2. It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

A tradition older than time for me is always watching Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown during fall. I've been doing this since pre-school as for some reason teachers would always play it around this time of the year. I resonance so many beautiful childhood memories with this movie that resonates with such a beautiful season. 

3. Fantastic Mr. Fox

While this one may be harder to see why I consider it a fall film I make it very clear. Simply watching Fantastic Mr. Fox you constantly see so many beautiful shots through Wes Anderson's beautiful cinematography gives that autumnal vibe with his usage of bright orange and yellow from the trees to the ground and even to the animals like foxes used throughout the entire things.

These films fill the hearts of so many and hopefully yours with the fall spirit.

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling 

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is a fan favorite. Whether it be the first book or the last book, is an all-around comfort book. Harry Potter who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry goes throughout his school years as the boy who lived.This book is perfect to cuddle up with. What makes it even better is when you finish the series there are thousands of more to look at and immerse yourself with the fantasy.

2.  Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell 

Pumpkinheads is the perfect graphic novel to get into the fall mood. While working at a pumpkin patch, Deja and Josiah must learn to be okay with the fact that they have to go to college next year. Josiah is ready to express his love for the girl he's been falling for where Deja isn't ready to let him say goodbye to his girl. A lovely ending is awaiting. 

3. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Popular sensational book Verity is popular for a reason. The Haunting tale of finding the truth, Lowen Ashleigh agrees to help right the final books of a successful series by Verity Crawford. When she discovers what she's in for she sure is up for a shock. This book is perfect for fall because it brings in the bold and unrelenting all consuming this of the story. If you want to stay awake all night make sure to read this in the dark. 

These books are sure to give you a sense of comfort and uneasiness with the fall slash Halloween season fastly approaching us.