We asked the Sharpe Group team to share their favorite things about Thanksgiving. Here are some of their thoughts and reminiscences.

The gratitude, dredging up old family recipes, football on TV and the adorable way my Midwestern wife calls Thanksgiving dressing “stuffing.” —Grant Miller

Being with family and friends. —Cindy Hatler

Turkey and dressing leftovers … and the good night’s sleep I get from the tryptophan. —Barlow Mann

Being with family and friends, sitting around a beautiful table heavily laden with special foods, thanking God for all our blessings since the last Thanksgiving gathering. —Jim Ross

All the conversations and hugs, and hearing what everyone is grateful for. —Debbie Graham

Turkey, dressing and giblet gravy, when homemade. Alas, it seems fewer and fewer people take the time nowadays. I also love enjoying good conversations and quality time with people I love the most (especially when we enforce the “no politics” rule)! —Teri Sullivan

An early-morning Turkey Trot followed by fantastic food and drinks, afternoon football and a week’s worth of leftovers! —Ashley McHugh

Remembering my wonderful grandmother, who was a very loving person but whose cooking lived in infamy. I will treat you, dear reader, to a Thanksgiving favorite—Peas and Mushrooms: one can of English peas, one can of mushrooms. Mix and heat. Serve to unsuspecting guests. —Will Dixon

My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the (semi-)organized chaos! I love having too many people in the kitchen, I love the noise, I love being around my family (some by birth, some chosen), and I especially love not being the one in charge of kitchen clean-up! —Brenda Gunner

My oldest son always has said that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. Not to be thankful; rather, to eat. He would say that he would begin a fast on Tuesday to have room for my mom’s green beans and her turkey or my wife’s key lime pie and cookies. We’d play some board games, eat, watch our beloved Rebels in the Egg Bowl and then eat again. Sometimes, we’d save the leftovers and order a big pepperoni pizza and maybe hit a movie with the obligatory large popcorn with butter in the middle and on top. In earlier days, we had a tradition of not getting in the long lines but going to the mess made in stores to see if we could salvage a great deal tucked away at Target after the lunch. The day was full; we were full, and come to think of it … I believe Andrew had it right all along. He actually was thankful—and so was I—for the time we spent together, the food we enjoyed and cheering our favorite team on to victory or defeat. Thankful, indeed! —Bob Mims

What are your favorite things about Thanksgiving? Share them in the comments section below. We’d love to add them to our list!