It’s that time of year again. Halloween decorations have found their way back into storage; overzealous Christmas lovers start putting their decorations up; the atrocity known as pumpkin spice flourishes everywhere; but most importantly, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pies fly off the grocery store shelves.

That’s right, Thanksgiving has arrived.

A holiday where you celebrate by making yourself fat is subject to be one of my all-time favorites throughout the year. However, here are some things I won’t be looking forward to this Thanksgiving:

1. Political quarrels between your uncle (the liberal Hillary Clinton supporter who is against guns and is an animal rights activist and drives a Prius) and your dad (the conservative Trump supporter who loves his 2nd Amendment and drives a “yee-yee” truck). Usually starting when the father puts his Colt 1911 on the dinner table and the uncle gloats about his PETA membership card. But I suppose when they start yelling at each other across the table, they can both be thankful for the 1st Amendment.
2. The mystery food your crazy great-aunt brings. You know … the interesting concoction that looks fit to be served to your dog … The dish that everyone conveniently forgets to pass around the table … your aunt means well, but apparently she forgot that she no longer works for Purina Dog Chow.
3. Every male member in the house screaming at the TV  while they wait for dinner to be served. It’s literally the same football game every single year: two unsatisfactory teams that people only like because they play on Thanksgiving. Listening to the constant yelling about a game that couldn’t be less exciting makes me realize I am thankful for one thing in particular: earbuds.
4. Instead of getting to sleep in, you get awakened by the sound of pots and pans clanging together at 4 a.m. Bet you didn’t know your mom is a percussionist.
5. Your grandad falling asleep in your recliner after the meal. Not only did he take your sacred sitting place in your house, but his snoring is loud enough to drown out all conversation in the house (not that you’d particularly enjoy talking to anyone anyways).
6. Your grandmother judges you for not having your whole entire life planned out. No, I haven’t decided on names for the kids that you’ve decided I’m going to have. I’m sorry, but no, I have not found a suitable husband. And I certainly don’t know what color casket I want when I die; I can’t even decide on what color to paint my nails.
7. Your parents make you dress like a presentable human being. As much fun as wearing a dress and heels is (not) … I feel like it would make so much more sense to wear sweats and an ultra baggy T-shirt on Thanksgiving. That way, when you start to get full, you can loosen the drawstring on your pants and the shirt will hide your food baby.
8. The anxiety of stepping on the scale the day after. We celebrate Thanksgiving by eating food. I happen to be very celebratory on this particular holiday, so when I step on the scale the next morning and discover I’ve  gained 20 lbs. (mostly from the mashed potatoes) it really makes me rethink my life decisions. I suppose if I don’t want to die of a heart attack at age 45, I should probably start thinking about becoming a Thanksgiving scrooge.
9. Putting away leftovers. When your mom cooks enough food to feed an entire army but only 10 people are coming over to eat, there is bound to be a surplus of leftovers. She cooked, so your mom won’t help put anything away; it’s up to you. Problem is, your freezer is already full of meat from this past hunting season … looks like everyone is getting force-fed the remaining food.
10. Having to be nice to your relatives even though they annoy you. (“Oh honey you’re too young to have a tattoo.” Well Auntie, you’re too old to be alive, but here we are.). But Mom what do you mean I have to keep my sarcasm to a minimum? I can insult her without her even realizing it. It’s fine…really.

Even though there are some minor inconveniences I’ll have to deal with during this Thanksgiving, it is still one of the best holidays of the year.