With the start of the holiday season comes all the holiday traditions. One of the favorites at our house is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade the morning of Turkey Day! What kid doesn’t like a parade, and you have to admit the Macy Parade brings out the kid in all of us. Many people across the country tune in to the parade as a kick-off to the holidays!

It’s a nice way to gather as a family and enjoy each other’s company. It’s also a nice, relaxing way to kick off Thanksgiving day before the cooking and feeding frenzy begins. I have never had the chance to watch the parade live. I would love to go just one year to see everything in real life. But what can beat lounging around in your pajamas in front of the TV as a family, eating breakfast while sharing, enjoying, and watching the parade on TV. Watching it on TV means that you don’t have to worry about the weather, like those who are facing the elements in New York City.

Who doesn’t get excited watching the balloons, the floats, the bands, and the crowds of people? Throw in the stars and the performers and it’s easy to see why so many people don’t consider the holiday season to have started until they’ve seen the Macy Parade. My favorite part is the dancers and the performers who are performing bits and pieces from Broadway shows and such. The marching bands also hold a special place in my memories, as I was in the marching band in my high school days. And don’t forget those huge balloons that fill the sky with all the newest and oldest TV characters. Okay, maybe I can’t really pick my favorite, I love it all!

It’s so fun to watch the parade with young children and hear their squeals of delight as they spot each new thing. My girls enjoy dancing in the middle of the living room as they are watching. It’s a great way to start up a conversation with your kids about what their favorite part is and which balloon was their favorite. You can also use the time to predict what you think is going to be featured this year at the parade and what you think the weather is going to be like.

And don’t forget the guy who kicks off the holiday season himself, the jolly red guy from the North Pole, Santa Claus himself! Did you know that Santa has wrapped up the parade by being the last attraction every year except for one? And that one year Santa actually led the parade!

From our family to yours, Happy Turkey Day!