Thanksgiving is a special time of year, but whenever family's involved, you can bet there will be a little bit of chaos, too.
For many families, this is the first year they're getting back together for a big holiday. Others may still be erring on the side of safety and keeping things small. At any rate, holiday coordinating can be hard. Dealing with different personalities is sometimes a challenge, and it can be easy to lose track of why we do this song and dance every year in the first place.
If you're having trouble getting some perspective on the holidays this year, turn to some of your favorite sitcoms from today and yesteryear to get some clarity on what this season is all about.
'Cheers': Thanksgiving Orphans
Cheers' take on Thanksgiving comes in the form of one of its best episodes, "Thanksgiving Orphans." This is a great one to watch with the kids if the family you're celebrating with is less genetic and more of your own creation. The gang's all there as their various Thanksgiving plans lead them back to each other and a celebration that you won't want to miss.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air': Talking Turkey
When Will's mom comes to town, she starts pointing out the Banks household's privilege. This leads Vivian to challenge the teens to make Thanksgiving dinner on their own, and hilarity ensues as they learn to appreciate all they have.
'Bob's Burgers': Turkey in a Can
Bob just wants to make the perfect turkey using a three-day brine, but his plans get foiled when morning after morning, he finds his turkey in the toilet. Determined to find out who is sabotaging him, Bob questions the whole family in this hilarious episode full of turkey day hijinks.
'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'
OK, so A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is more holiday special than sitcom, but you can't ignore the classics. When the gang finds themselves without Thanksgiving plans, they turn to Charlie Brown and Linus to make it happen. Charlie Brown and Linus, in turn, ask Snoopy and Woodstock for help, thus starting a friendsgiving tradition. Linus has a poignant moment when he discusses the first Thanksgiving and reminds us what it's really all about.
'Boy Meets World': Turkey Day
Boy Meets World's Thanksgiving episode is "Turkey Day," which sees the Matthews spending the holiday with the Hunters at their trailer. Holidays look different at the trailer park, and it forces the Matthews to confront biases they didn't know they had. While everyone has their differences, in the end they stop to appreciate how two boys from completely different worlds could come together and forge a beautiful, meaningful friendship.
'Mad About You': Giblets for Murray
Mad About You offered a lot of hilarious takes on married life, but "Giblets for Murray" takes the cake when it comes to extended family hijinks. Jamie and Paul are hosting Thanksgiving and trying to please everyone, but it keeps getting away from them in hilarious and increasingly difficult situations.
'Parenthood': Happy Thanksgiving
Parenthood's "Happy Thanksgiving" is another show that highlights the holiday chaos of a big family on Thanksgiving. It's a perfect mix of family airing frustrations, reuniting, and taking on life while celebrating family.
'Fresh off the Boat': Huangsgiving
In the "Huangsgiving" episode of Fresh off the Boat, we get an awesome take on the competitive family holiday when Jessica and Louis find out they're hosting Thanksgiving. They're out to outdo Jessica's sister, but there's more than meets the eye as to why she's not in her usual Thanksgiving glory.
'Modern Family': Three Turkeys
Modern Family always guarantees a laugh that has some heart to it, so of course "Three Turkeys" is a master class in holiday insanity. Phil is in charge and makes a turkey with Luke's help, but Claire is skeptical and makes one of her own. Then there's the case of the mystery third turkey and Gloria and Jay's attempt to skip the holiday.
'Roseanne': We Gather Together
The first Conner family Thanksgiving is "We Gather Together." Not only do they gather the immediate family, but also Dan's and Roseanne's parents. Of course, a few more stragglers join, and all the different personalities bring the house alive, while stressing the hosts out.
