Home for the Thanksgiving Holidays
- Jeremiah McGuire
- Nov 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Let me say this before diving into the post. Home is wherever you make it and with those you choose to call your own. I hope that you are surrounded by love and joy this holiday season, no matter how you celebrate and who you celebrate with. Peace and Joy!
The connection between Thanksgiving and home ownership is more profound than it might seem. It's woven from threads of history, economics, culture, and deep-seated emotional ideals.
The Historical and Ideological Link: The "Hearth and Home" Ideal
Thanksgiving's Imagery: The classic American Thanksgiving is depicted as a multi-generational family gathered around a table inside a home. This isn't just any meal; it's a meal centered near the hearth (fireplace) — the traditional heart of the home, which provides warmth and sustenance. Traditionally this is the room where guests are welcomed and made to feel comfy in the home. In most pictures there is a roaring fire in the hearth.
Homeownership as a Foundation: Since the founding of the United States, owning land and a home has been seen as a cornerstone of independence, stability, and achieving the "American Dream." A homeowner in the United States owns the house and the land it sits upon, which is contrary to home ownership in some other countries, including countries that many of the founders of our country came from, where you may own the house but are still just a tenant on the land itself.
The Economic and Practical Connection
The Space to Host: Renting often means smaller living spaces, shared walls with neighbors, or temporary locations. Homeownership typically provides the space; a large dining room, a big kitchen, a backyard for kids to play, that makes hosting a large family gathering feasible and comfortable.
A Long-Term Investment for Traditions: People invest in their homes with the future in mind. The dining table you buy, the kitchen you renovate, the guest room you furnish - these are all investments made with an eye toward hosting family for years to come, with Thanksgiving being a prime example. It's the stage for creating and maintaining family traditions.
The Emotional and Psychological Connection
A Sense of Permanence and Belonging: Thanksgiving is about coming "home." For adult children, "home" is often the house they grew up in. When parents are homeowners, they provide that fixed, permanent point on the map that the family can return to year after year. This creates a powerful sense of continuity and belonging.
Creating a Legacy: Homeowners often see their property as something to be passed down. The idea of "this is where we will have Thanksgiving for the next 30 years" or "one day, my grandchildren will gather here" is a powerful emotional driver. The home becomes a vessel for family history and memories, with Thanksgiving being a key annual event that adds to that history.
Autonomy and Control: Owning a home means you have the autonomy to create the Thanksgiving you want. You can paint the walls, remodel the kitchen for better turkey preparation, and hang decorations without asking for permission. This control is essential for creating a deeply personal and traditional experience.
The Modern and Financial Stress Connection
A Barometer of the "Dream": In years of economic prosperity, high rates of homeownership can feel like a national achievement to be thankful for. Conversely, during crises like the 2008 housing crash, the loss of a home cast a long shadow over the holiday, making Thanksgiving a painful reminder of a shattered dream. We are fortunate that while bad times happen, there are mechanisms in place, like Bankruptcy, that allow for overcoming those huge hurdles and rebuilding.
A Source of Stress and Gratitude: For millennials and Gen Z, the difficulty of achieving homeownership can make Thanksgiving a bittersweet time. They may be grateful for their family but anxious about their inability to provide a "hearth" of their own to continue the tradition. Conversely, for those who have recently managed to buy a home in a tough market, Thanksgiving can be an incredibly powerful moment of gratitude and accomplishment—the first Thanksgiving in their own home.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is a chance to slow down, to take a moment for gratitude, to let those we care about know we are thankful for them, and to assess the last year. We open our homes to those we care about as a way of showing we are thankful for them and want them to feel the warmth and comfort that we feel in our house.
If you are looking to buy a home, there is never a perfect time. When the time is right for you, I'm here to be your Closing Attorney to help guide you in the process.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeremiah L. McGuire


Attorney
Memphis, TN
901-494-1622
Your Past. Your Future. Our Priority.