At Southern Connecticut State University, Thanksgiving reflected the university’s deep commitment to community—honoring the region’s complex history while uplifting modern traditions like Friendsgiving that foster connection, belonging, and care.
The History: Puritans, Not Pilgrims
While Connecticut didn’t host the iconic Plymouth feast, History Department Chair Dr. Marie Basile McDaniel reminds us that the state was shaped by Puritans, not Pilgrims.
“Pilgrims were radical dissenters,” she explained in a recent CT Insider piece. “Puritans, like Thomas Hooker and John Davenport, founded our communities—but there’s no record of a grand Thanksgiving meal.”
The Present: Friendsgiving and “Chosen Family“
Today, Owls like graduate student Elizabeth Lopez are redefining the holiday through Friendsgiving—gathering with their “chosen family” over mac and cheese, music, and memories.
“We all get to come together, connect, play games, eat, and talk,” Lopez said in CT Post’s feature on Friendsgiving gatherings across Connecticut.
The Reality: Budgeting for the Feast
With inflation and food prices on the rise, many Connecticut families adjusted their Thanksgiving plans this year. In an interview with WTNH News 8, Dr. James Thorson, an economics professor at Southern, offered practical advice for making the holiday more affordable.
“Think of substitutes,” Thorson said. “Maybe you’ve always traditionally had one thing on Thanksgiving, but if that’s expensive, maybe swap it out for something else.”
The News 8 report featured shoppers in New Haven turning to local farmer’s markets, loyalty programs, and store promotions to stretch their budgets—some even finding full Thanksgiving meals for under $40.
“Joining a store’s loyalty club can be very profitable,” Thorson noted. “If you can get a free turkey or a free ham, that’s going to reduce your cost of Thanksgiving quite considerably.”
As one shopper put it: “If there’s something free, grab it, because it can be of help to someone.”
Read more:
