So, since it’s the holiday season, gifts are a big deal. I’ve discovered an easy way to make cheap gifts! Okay, so knitting may sound really tough, but with a Knifty Knitter Loom, anyone can do it! I bought my loom at Walmart, but you can find them at any craft store! The kit comes with easy directions and is quite simple!  

Kitting a Scarf

After getting the kit, all you have to do is buy some yarn! It can be fairly cheap and one thing of yarn for $5 can make two hats! I’ve already made five hats and everybody loves them. They are homemade and if you get your hair caught in them they are really from the heart!       

And no two hats are the same! You can change the color or the design. From stripes to blending two or three colors together, it’s all fun!!      

It’s a great and easy gift! And I’d be happy to help anyone out!

-Whitney

A tradition that has special meaning for my family and me is Thanksgiving. From the time I was a little girl, I always loved Thanksgiving; however, this year was not as exciting because one of my brothers was not there, nor was our family friend for years. However, delicious side dishes, time together, and its background are the three reasons why Thanksgiving is special to us no matter what.

Thanksgiving Feast

First, Thanksgiving has always had amazing dishes. Every year, every family member makes his or her famous dish-a Pot-Luck. With over twenty people in our family, there is always enough food to go around. Everyone’s favorite side is my mom’s spinach pie-nutritious and delicious. One must not forget my aunt’s homemade scarlet-seasoned mashed potatoes drowned in luscious turkey gravy, and the traditional side Cesar salad. Turkey is meaningless without these sides; therefore, this is one reason why Thanksgiving is meaningful.

Second, Thanksgiving is a special time to assemble ourselves among our families and friends. Our family is fairly a large size, and we all have our own schedules; moreover, we love this holiday because this is one of the very few times of the year that we all can spend time together. I always loved being around a lot of people, especially on holidays. My oldest brother got engaged a couple months ago, so that’s an additional fifteen members to our family! I think we will have to do our Thanksgiving outside next year because in total, it’s going to be about thirty people. The more the merrier! This is another reason why we cherish this holiday.

Most importantly, regardless too how many attend, it is the story behind Thanksgiving that will always stay the same and special. Many years ago, there was a group of Indians and pilgrims. They wanted the same land; consequently, they fought each other. Eventually someone from one of the two parties got tired of it and wanted peace. Both groups agreed to share the land. Everyone sat around a huge table and share a meal and gave thanks. This is what Thanksgiving is all about. This is the root reason why Thanksgiving is a meaningful holiday for us.

The First Thanksgiving

Ultimately, Thanksgiving is the celebration of thanks. This holiday is perfect for scrumptious dishes, time with loved ones, and reflecting back to this history of this holiday; moreover, these are the main reasons why we hold this holiday close to our hearts. 

 -Sara

This past Thanksgiving, my Dad went to a swap meet called “Turkey Rod Run” at Daytona Beach for the whole week-end, which left my Mom and I to do something different for the Thanksgiving holiday. My dad is the craziest car nut you will ever meet. He is much of a car enthusiast and I may be the second car nut in the family.

Chineses Food

With no turkey cooking at home, I suggested that we do something “non-traditional”, like go to a Chinese restaurant instead of eating turkey. As it turned out, I very much enjoyed my non-traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Day. Maybe more people would try this little switch as a delight.

-Matthew Boselli

Over my life time I have collected lots things. Little things like Pokemon, Dragonball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh cards. I have even collected NASCAR model cars. Even today I still collect a few things. The two items that I most actively look for and purchase are dragon statues and Pez dispensers.

I first started colleting dragon statues at a place the Bradley Country Fair. The Bradley Country Fair is a collection of vendors selling random things. I went to Bradley’s one year and a vendor happened to be selling dragon figures made of sawdust and glue. I have always liked dragons, so when I saw this I knew that I had to buy one. I did and my collection began. I have since bought or been given about 15 other dragon figures. Most of them are made of sawdust and glue, but a few are made of other materials. The one that I like the most is a dragon clinging to the trunk of a tree. It stands about a foot high.

Sawdust Dragons

As much as I like my dragon collection, I have to say that I more actively pursue and collect Pez dispensers. I have hundred of Pez dispensers. I have Star Wars Pez dispensers, and NASCAR Pez dispensers. That is part of the reason I started collecting Pez dispensers. Almost any type of iconic film, or toy, or movie, or cartoon has had a Pez dispenser created after it. Whenever any new Pixar movie comes out I can go and buy Pez dispensers based on the movie. This makes Pez dispensers relevant even as things change.

A Wall of Pez Dispensers

As I move forwards, I am sure that I will find other things to collect. That is part of who I am, but think I will always collect Pez dispensers and dragon statues.

-Alex