Buccaneers Pick Six: A tale of two halves
By James Yarcho
Six Best Things About Thanksgiving Day
We’re having fun, so why stop?! Yes, this is about football, but it’s not often we get to do fun stuff like this so I’m taking advantage. Not to mention, when I was talking to my kids about this, they started asking where “this” was and where “that” was, but those things didn’t fall into the category of food. So now we are going to dive into more of the activities of the day rather than just the meal. Let’s go!
6.) Backyard football games
Since the Buccaneers don’t get to play on Thanksgiving often (they’re 0-1 on Thanksgiving). That said, you can either watch the Lions lose for the 4,000th consecutive year or you can split up the family and go at it on the backyard gridiron. This is a big tradition for a lot of families. For mine, not so much. Usually far too cold or there’s snow on the ground. That doesn’t mean we can ignore something that is looked forward to by so many.
5.) Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Okay, full disclosure – I hate parades. I don’t like them in person and I really don’t like them on television. Now, my mom, my wife, and plenty of people I know love that tradition. You wake up, get the turkey started, make some breakfast, and turn on the parade. People love to watch the marching bands, the singers, the musicals, the floats, etc. It’s a tradition just like turkey.
4.) Black Friday Ads
Black Friday has evolved now into Thanksgiving night, which is somewhat a shame. As someone who spent years and years in the service industry and had to work Thanksgiving and Christmas every year, I don’t have a ton of sympathy for those that work, but I understand the side of those that do feel bad. That said, it’s also evolved to the point that you don’t have to leave your house to get all those deals. Going through the ads and game planning the Christmas shopping. Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy – the online deals are there. You can recuperate from over eating, switch into your sweatpants, and shop away from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Don’t worry about lines, crowds, or psychopaths throwing elbows for that “must have” toy. Just let it come to you. I’m usually done with Christmas shopping by the end of cyber Monday. Take advantage.
Must Read: McCoy Earns Game Plank For Player Of The Game
3.) Football On The Television
It’s not the Buccaneers, but it’s still football. All day long. The best meal of the year partnered with the best sport on earth – does it get any better? The halftime shows will likely be awful, but it’s officially the kickoff of the Christmas season when you see those Salvation Army buckets come out. Yeah, we have to sit through the Lions and Cowboys again, but nothing brings the family together quite like rooting against the Cowboys together.
2.) Movie Time
After all is done and the dishes are clean, it’s time to relax. Maybe you’re scoping out a deal you want to grab or you’re getting that one last little sliver of pie, throw on a movie for the whole family. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Christmas movie, but that’s my personal preference. I’m very much a “no Christmas until after Thanksgiving” guy, but that’s just me. Put on something everyone can enjoy. Maybe you have little ones so you throw on “Moana” or “Cars 3”. Maybe the collective is a little older so you go “LEGO Movie” or “Wonder Woman”. No matter the movie, it’s a nice way to wind down a hectic day by just relaxing with the loved ones.
1.) Family
Many of us have crazy schedules. Maybe it’s work. Maybe it’s chauffeuring the kids to this practice and that rehearsal. It seems like we miss out on a lot while trying to fit everything in. Enjoy the time with your loved ones. Enjoy that crazy Uncle who says inappropriate things your kids shouldn’t hear. Enjoy that Aunt who falls asleep before she’s even had the turkey. Don’t forget that in-law that drives you bonkers, but find yourself having a wonderful conversation with, just soaking up the little moments that make holidays so special. Bust out a board game and play hours into the night. Let the kids stay up late because they haven’t seen these cousins since last year. Just enjoy every crazy, hectic, stressful minute that is the holidays because when it’s all over, you’ll be saying you can’t wait to do it again.