Thanksgiving looks a little different for every family, but here at Tri-Marq, we’ve discovered that our team has an impressive range of traditions, strong food opinions, and some very specific feelings about pumpkin pie.
When we asked the crew to share their favorite parts of the holiday, one theme came up again and again: nostalgia. Many of us have childhood memories of Thanksgiving road trips, big family gatherings, and the kind of joyful chaos that only happens when every cousin is under the same roof. Others shared more specific traditions, like Courtney chopping down the family Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, Justin lining up early for Black Friday beer releases, or Ryan watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles while the turkey roasts.
Football also made a strong showing among our team. Whether you watch it intentionally or accidentally fall asleep in front of it, apparently both count as tradition.
Food-wise, our team may not agree on everything (some of us are staunchly anti–pumpkin pie while some are strongly pro–pumpkin anything), but we can agree on this: Thanksgiving sides are the real stars of the show. Stuffing is clearly the fan favorite: classic, smothered in gravy, jalapeño-infused, or avoided entirely depending on whose house you’re at. Mashed potatoes come in as a close second, as long as they’re smooth, creamy, and worthy of a second helping.
Green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, sweet potatoes (with or without marshmallows as another debate), and other beloved family recipes all made the list. A few wildcard favorite dishes appeared too, including a butternut squash or brussel sprout hash for Tom, and one dangerously good pumpkin torte that apparently has a fan club among Alaina and family.
What stood out most wasn’t the food itself but the feeling behind it. Traditions big and small, like the annual Johnson family soccer matches, Secret Santa name-picking, board games, warm apple cider, or simply cooking together, are really about being with people who feel like home.
At Tri-Marq, we spend a lot of our year helping clients bring people together, and this time of year is a good reminder of why that matters. Whether your Thanksgiving is loud and lively or simple and cozy, we hope it’s filled with good food, good company, and a tradition or two that makes you smile.
From our team to yours—happy Thanksgiving!