Alli Phillips Shares Heartwarming Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving holds special meaning for Pro pickleball player Alli Phillips and her family, an eight-sibling clan whose celebrations could rival scenes from any holiday movie. The day begins with a tradition as energetic as it is inclusive: a family football “Superbowl.”
“We have this super fun tradition on Thanksgiving where we have our own football Superbowl. All the cousins, my immediate family, friends, in-laws, everyone in the extended family comes over and we divide into two teams. My dad and his brother, my Uncle Paul, have two teams and we play.” – (Alli Phillips)
While the game continues, the kitchen transforms into a bustling hub where Phillips’ mother and aunts prepare a feast that stretches far into the day.
“Then, my mom and all my aunts are in the kitchen and we all cook together, talk, and have this massive feast that lasts all day. We have at least 20 pies total, too. Our house is the gathering place, and there’s usually 30 plus people there. We play games, we eat, we mingle, and we play pickleball.” – (Alli Phillips)
With over 30 attendees, the logistics require coordination worthy of a playbook.
“In the family group chat, we all take dibs on different things. The main dishes I usually do are the rolls and the mashed potatoes.” – (Alli Phillips)
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Christmas Begins the Day After
The Phillips family doesn’t slow down once Thanksgiving ends. The day after marks the beginning of Christmas with their “Christmas Tree Party.”
“Our Christmas Tree Party is when we take all the Thanksgiving decorations down and go find our tree for the year. Then, we decorate the whole house for Christmas. We all sleep under the tree that night and watch as many Christmas movies as we can.” – (Alli Phillips)
When it comes to favorite holiday films, classics dominate the list. Phillips is partial to Home Alone, Polar Express, and It’s a Wonderful Life. She added,
“We’re big Hallmark people, too. My dad is actually the worst one in our family. Even after Christmas he was watching Hallmark Christmas movies through February.” – (Alli Phillips)
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Pudding Cups and Meaningful Ornaments
Christmas Eve traditions are just as cherished. The Alli Phillips family incorporates a touch of humor and symbolism into the festivities.
“Another tradition we have is on Christmas Eve. Everybody has a cup of pudding, and in one of them there’s a nut, and whoever gets the nut will get a $5 bill. I’ve never gotten it. This just shows how unlucky I am.” – (Alli Phillips)
The evening culminates with a reflective tradition involving their eclectic Christmas tree ornaments.
“Our Christmas tree ornaments are very eccentric. But on Christmas Eve, we have a tradition where everybody chooses one ornament off the tree and tells us how it reminds them of Jesus. It would be like an ornament of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and we get creative and correlate its meaning back to our savior. After all, that’s the real meaning of Christmas.” – (Alli Phillips)
News in Brief: Alli Phillips Shares Heartwarming Thanksgiving
For Alli Phillips and her large family, Thanksgiving is a time of connection, tradition, and joy. From a family football game to a feast filled with 20 pies, the day celebrates togetherness. The holiday season continues with a “Christmas Tree Party,” featuring decorating, movies, and festive fun.
Christmas Eve brings reflective moments, with unique traditions like a pudding cup game and finding symbolic meaning in ornaments. These rituals remind the Phillips family of the importance of faith and family during the holidays.
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