It’s simply not a real Thanksgiving unless Charlie Brown takes a few running kicks at the football and then goes over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. I will never, ever grow out of the Charlie Brown holiday movies, and the Thanksgiving special is one of my favorites. Like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and the Turkey Trot, it’s part of the Thanksgiving tradition.

Lucy invites herself and all of the Peanuts gang over to Charlie Brown’s house for a Thanksgiving meal, even though Charlie and his sister Sally are supposed to enjoy dinner with their family. The group puts together a lackluster meal complete with popcorn and buttered toast — much to Lucy’s dismay. She vehemently complains because there is no roast turkey, stuffing or pumpkin pie. 

Even though the dinner is less than elegant, the group remembers the true meaning of the holiday is to be thankful for each other and the good times they share together. 

If you’re not lucky enough to own the original video cassette version of the movie or an updated DVD, ABC will be showing a special showing of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.  

Contact Kelsey Husnick at [email protected].