One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. What I like most about Thanksgiving is the different ways it can be celebrated.

For my family, we combine Chinese and American traditions to mark the holiday. Every year, my family gets together with a group of friends to eat a potluck dinner. Usually, the dinner consists mainly of Chinese food such as dumplings, fried rice, tofu, noodles, sweet and sour soup, and a little bit of American food. When I was young, I had a couple Thanksgiving dinners where there was no turkey. However, if American food is included, usually there is the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing.

After eating dinner, everyone parties until 3 or 4 in the morning. Sounds like a really long time, eh? Well, during this time, the boys pull out their video games and play nonstop till they have to leave, while the girls gather together to gossip or do whatever they usually do.

Sometimes when the girls get bored, they try to bother the boys by getting them to play charades, cards, or board games. From previous experience, I can say that time flies for me when I’m busy playing "Super Smash Bros. Melee."

Meanwhile the adults go crazy playing a card game called 80 Points, or Zhao Peng You in Chinese.

After the Thanksgiving party is over, everyone goes back home to sleep in, only to wake up the same day to party again at another person’s house. This time around, the dinner is just Chinese food. However, once again, everyone parties till morning. The boys play their video games, the girls do their stuff, and the adults play 80 Points.

Overall, I am looking forward to the holiday gathering. Not only is there a five-day break from school, but also I get to reunite with long-time friends, eat lots of food, party, and have fun.