A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving time gets closer and closer, let’s reflect on a classic Thanksgiving special: “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” This is a holiday special that I have been watching for as long as I have been alive, and it has graced my screen every year on Thanksgiving. Along with “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” this classic is a favorite of mine that always encapsulates what the fall season means to me. These specials have become an American staple, as well as being famous all over the world. ‘Endearing’ is the word I can find to describe this film, but “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is so much more. As I re-watched it to write this article, I was mesmerized by the art style, laughing so hard at the silly jokes and almost crying at the sweet nature of Charlie Brown and his friends. 

If you don’t know anything about the Charlie Brown Holiday specials, they usually begin with a problem Charlie Brown has. In this special, Charlie Brown’s friends, Peppermint Patty (who has a crush on Charlie Brown), Marcy, and Franklin, have all invited themselves to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving. The only problem? Charlie Brown is going to his grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving and won’t even be home! Of course, the thought of disappointing his friends makes Charlie Brown miserable, and he tries to think of a solution. Good ol’ Linus, Charlie Brown’s best friend, suggests they have a Friendsgiving (of sorts) before Charlie Brown goes to his grandmother’s house. 

Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog, is responsible for preparing everything for the feast. Through a hilarious montage of events - where Snoopy literally fights with a ping pong table and a beach chair - things start to come together. Woodstock, a tiny little yellow bird who is best friends with Snoopy, does his best to help as much as he can, but he just can’t reach everything. Poor Woodstock! Through the melodic music by Vince Guaraldi, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Woodstock. The main course? Buttered toast. 

As Charlie Brown’s friends arrive, they are not very grateful or happy about the meal that Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock have prepared. They make Charlie Brown feel so bad about ruining their Thanksgiving that he has to leave the table. Marcie is the spokesperson for the group and goes in to console Charlie Brown. She says something moving to ease Charlie Brown’s sadness. She says, “But Thanksgiving is more than eating…We should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by ‘Thanksgiving,’ Charlie Brown.” After a few apologies, the gang is ready to enjoy a lovely meal together because that’s what it's all about: being together. 

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a holiday special that always makes me tear up. Like the other Charlie Brown holiday specials, this feels like a bowl of warm soup. It oozes comfort, some of the best lessons and encapsulates childhood joy. The music and art style always transport me back to simpler times. It is impossible to watch this holiday special and not smile or laugh at these friends' antics. Even when there is conflict, this ends with a beautiful lesson for all of us. Charlie Brown is an excellent representation of humans. He is someone who just wants to make sure everyone is happy. And when they aren’t, he feels like it’s all his fault when it’s not. We often do that to ourselves when the holiday season comes around. We worry so much about having the right food and decorations that we miss out on enjoying the time with our friends and family. Every year, Charlie Brown reminds us to be thankful for existing and being with the people we love. 

I hope you enjoy this fantastic cartoon that focuses on the simple things in life. And if you haven’t seen it yet, watch it this Thanksgiving! What a wonderful tradition it is to have Charlie Brown welcomed onto our screens to remind us to be thankful on THANKSgiving. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you find time to breathe, spend time with friends and family, and take a moment to be thankful.