Thanksgiving traditions mean something different to every family.

“I’m staying here and working,” said Erin Baker, an instructor in the psychology department.

This isn’t the break she expected because she will be working on her dissertation.

When she celebrates with her family, she doesn’t watch football or parades.

“Usually we go to a movie later in the evening,” she said.

Baker said she will miss stuffing the most on Thursday.

Junior Lauren Zuzik said she is looking forward to stuffing the most since it isn’t something she tends to have any other time of the year. She also said she is looking forward to a breakfast of leftovers on Friday.

For Zuzik, Bowling Green is home.

“I’ll be celebrating with my parents in town and then we’ll be going to my grandparents’ in Youngstown,” she said.

Zuzik estimated she would see around 40 relatives there.

“My dad has a pretty big family,” she said.

Freshman Ryan Struffolino’s family isn’t quite as large, but they make up for it with the food.

“My aunt’s a chef. She makes two or three different turkeys,” he said. “They all taste amazing.”

Struffolino said that during the break she will “forget about school pretty much. I’ll do all my homework the first day hopefully.”

For some, break starts a bit later.

“I’m an RA so I can’t leave until Wednesday,” said Allison Ehmen, a sophomore.

She lives in Chicago so she will be flying home.

Ehmen also said she’s really looking forward to stuffing.

“And I like bread, like the little biscuits we always have,” she said.

Her family likes to play Wii games and card games and she said, “football’s always on. Sometimes it’s been on during the meal. It’s ridiculous.”

After Thanksgiving, people’s attention often turns to holiday shopping.

Zuzik will be in Youngstown on Black Friday.

“I’ll probably do some online shopping,” she said.

Sophomore Jacob Weinmann will be staying in, too.

“Maybe some Cyber Monday, but that would be it,” he said.

Some students will venture out.

“Usually I go in the middle of the day just to see what’s left over,” Ehmen said.

While the traditional thing to do for most is shop on Black Friday, Baker doesn’t see the appeal of it.

“That sounds like the worst experience anyone could volunteer for,” Baker said. “I have no idea why anyone would subject themselves to that.”