Satisfying aromas, pineapple topped ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and picture perfect desserts prepared atop elegant table cloths and centerpieces: Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our many blessings and celebrate with our family traditions.

“With me and my husband now living in the U.S., it’s just us two,” said De Anza ESL student Olga TyuTyuova, 44. “The holidays are different now, but we love the holidays because we’re still together.” Olga and her husband cook duck together, a tradition that connects them to their original home of Ukraine.

For Sanika Utturkar, 22, journalism/mass communication major, food brings her family together. “Usually we order our turkey from Safeway and we cook the sides, like the mashed potatoes and simply berry sauces,” she said. “But Black Friday, we love.”

Not everyone sees Thanksgiving the same way. “Thanksgiving is for good fortune, but can also be a pretty touchy subject because of the colonies,” said Ethan Maneja, 20, journalism major. “Some people have forgotten how Thanksgiving came to be.” Ethan also has a different tradition from the usual Thanksgiving food. “My mom says it’s too much work cooking, so we enjoy Chinese food. It doesn’t match turkey, but it’s still good.”