Thanksgiving is always one of the most stressful holidays in our household. The logistics of bringing family together is always a hassle, and over the years, I have prefected the skill of staying out of the planning entirely. My Thanksgiving motto is: “Just tell me where to go and when to be there.”
Despite all the logistical headaches, I really do try to get in the spirit of the day. I go all out on Halloween and Christmas, but Thanksgiving is a little more of a challenge. Here are some ways to inject some (pop) culture into your Turkey Day.
10. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
This movie has NOTHING to do with the Thanksgiving, but the dude’s name is Pilgrim and it snows a lot in the movie.
9. Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is usually not all that exciting, but you never know when a great moment will happen. Personally, I’m always praying for a runaway balloon.
8. School House Rock – No More Kings
As is the case with most School House Rock videos, you might actually learn something here.
7. Addams Family Thanksgiving
For the true meaning of Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with this scene from the Addams Family.
6. Leon Lett’s Thanksgiving Blunder
No Thanksgiving football game can be watched in our house without mentioning Leon Lett. Poor Leon.
5. John Madden’s Turducken
In keeping with the football theme, who can forget John Madden and his tribute to the wonderful fowl of this great nation of ours.
4. Adam Sandler’s Thanksgiving Song
Remember when Adam Sandler was funny?
3. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
One of the few classics devoted to Thanksgiving. It may not be as good as the Christmas special, but the nostalgia factor always makes it worthwhile.
2. Thanksgiving episodes of Sitcoms
My wife’s favorite sitcom Thanksgiving memory is the “Giblets for Murray” episode of Mad About You. After watching this episode, I was amused to see that Paul’s dad is now the (recently deceased) bell-ringing Mexican drug cartel leader from Breaking Bad.
1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Hands down, the BEST Thanksgiving movie ever made. This is required viewing in our household during the holidays, after which you will find me reciting lines for several days: “You’re going the wrong way!”, “First baby come out sideways, she didn’t scream or nothing,” and my favorite, “Those aren’t pillows!”
I am thankful for twitter friends such as @weirdotoys, @FijiMermaid, and @drquest for chiming in and helping out with some ideas for this post. Thanks, guys!
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of my all-time favorites as well .Love it, love it, love it. Thanks for the list!!
Thanks for the assist Justin!
That’s my favorite sitcom memory, too!
Yep, when the turkey goes out the window, we lose it every time.