Thanksgiving is easily the best holiday for eating. Food is abundant and familiar as every family sticks to their special, classic dishes. It’s not Thanksgiving unless there are deviled eggs, a baked ham and enchiladas. My mom started cooking enchiladas at Thanksgiving out of desperation, just to make sure there was enough food for our large family, and now it’s become a staple.

It’s happenstances like this that create fond food memories that stick with someone their whole life. The smell of a certain dish simmering on the stove reminds one of a great meal spent with loved ones. It’s reassuring to know family and friends will come together for the holidays and even though people change, holiday dishes remain the solid uniting foundation.

And of course comfort foods extend beyond holidays and family affairs. A comfort food doesn’t have to be rare or that special, it just has to make you feel a little bit happier when you eat it. Really, comfort food doesn’t even have to be particularly tasty. There are plenty of greasy fast food places with comfort foods, just because of the crazy nights that have ended there.

Comfort foods are probably more specific than the generic answers of ice cream or cookies, but there’s no doubt there’s something special about going home, especially during the holidays, and eating those familiar foods that ease away all the end of semester stress.