My WORST Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving- my favorite holiday. Well, my favorite holiday MOST years. In 2010, I experienced the worst Thanksgiving imaginable. I found it only appropriate to share my misfortunes, as to warn you and help you avoid an equally terrible Thanksgiving.

Tip #1: DO NOT FLY ON THANKSGIVING

In 2010, my younger brother’s godfather James was getting married to his beautiful fiancé Katerina. I was so excited when I found out about the wedding because I would see my Mom’s side of the family. Then I found out that it was in Montana, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. With this new information, my mother also shared with me the news that we would be flying ON Thanksgiving because we had to be in Montana for the rehearsal dinner the next day.

Let me just say, the Philadelphia airport is a nightmare on Thanksgiving, but even more so in 2010 when we were hit with a large amount of snow. Our flight was supposed to land in Montana at roughly 3:00 in the afternoon, leaving us with plenty of time to get to our hotel for dinner with all of my cousins. Well, not only was the airport filled with people running around trying to get to their flights (flights are cheaper on holidays apparently, and many people took advantage of the cheap flights) but the snow storm in Montana also delayed our flight. In the end, we got to Montana’s airport at 11:00 p.m., putting us at the hotel at about 12:00 a.m. We ate our Thanksgiving meal on the floor of our hotel room, after heating it up in the microwave. I was not happy.

When it comes to choosing to travel on a holiday, it may seem like a great opportunity. My best advice for you? Do not do it unless you hate the holiday you are traveling on.

Tip #2: ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER

If you do choose to fly on Thanksgiving, consider looking at the weather in both your departure location and arrival destination as your trip gets closer. My best advice is to begin checking the weather on the day of your flights a week before departure. If you’re ahead of the game, you can see if a big snow storm or rain storm is being projected, and change your flight to a time that avoids the storm and allows you to still celebrate the holiday. After my experience, I can tell you that it is better to be late than to be miserable and late. Change your fight to a later flight and spend the day eating a lot of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. instead of sitting on an airport floor waiting for your delayed flight to board.

Tip #3: BE PREPARED FOR EVERYTHING

My siblings and cousins giving a perfect example on how to stay positive – mess around in the stores while shopping!

Sometimes things are just out of your hands, and the only way to avoid a miserable day is to prepare mentally for everything and anything. Going in with a positive attitude can result in you keeping a positive attitude no matter the case. Delayed flight? More time spent with your family or friends you are traveling with. Free time to catch up on some work or reading. Missed the Thanksgiving meal? Make your own “holiday feast” with what you can find in the airport. Thanksgiving is more than just about the food that is on the table you sit around, it is about being thankful for those in your life. Even on a miserable and long day of travel, we should still be able to look around and realize how awesome the life we live is.

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels! See you next week on The Road Most Knowledgeably Traveled.