Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the US. It is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. If we want to learn a bit more about Thanksgiving traditions and history, then we might need to go back to the year 1621, when the harvest feast was shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. The Thanksgiving Day lets people express their gratefulness for good health, their families, friends, job, roof over their heads and other blessings. There are some Thanksgiving Day traditions that are cultivated by most American families. What is more, many Thanksgiving traditions have been passed on from generation to generation. And sometimes families start their own Thanksgiving traditions.
When is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States? Back in the day, people used to celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to shift the date to the fourth Thursday in November. We usually have only four Thursdays in November, but on those years where there are five, the President thought that moving all the Thanksgiving ceremonies would benefit the economy.
Unique Thanksgiving Traditions
There are many different ways to spend your Thanksgiving. There are families with some unusual Thanksgiving traditions. The week of Thanksgiving is usually the busiest week to travel. People want to visit their relatives. For most people – Thanksgiving traditions include traveling. And not just interstate travels – sometimes they go abroad. And while some people might find it odd and unusual to spend the Thanksgiving holidays away from their relatives, there is a great deal of travelers who cannot wait to jet off to a warmer place and sip a drink at the beach bar. There are some other weird Thanksgiving Day traditions, like Turkey Bowling or The Turkey Trot. The second one is all about dressing up as a Turkey and doing a 3-mile run – mostly for charity.
Thanksgiving Traditions in America
What are some Thanksgiving traditions that are celebrated by most Americans? It is no secret that some of the most popular Thanksgiving traditions involve sharing traditional meals and watching NFL football games. Many families also cultivate their own Thanksgiving breakfast traditions (like eating casserole). But when it comes to food, there is a list of all the dishes that should appear on every Thanksgiving table. Turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, gravy and some desserts (mostly pumpkin pies). One of the traditions of Thanksgiving is that families prepare the food together, where they can bond with their siblings or parents.
Many people start their holiday celebrations with some Thanksgiving Eve traditions, like baking a pumpkin pie, watching a movie marathon or simply doing some arts and crafts. There are also Thanksgiving morning traditions, which usually involve a family breakfast and watching Macy’s Day Parade. Some Thanksgiving traditions have history! Like breaking a wishbone. Two people need to grab a side of a wishbone and break it apart (while making a wish). The person who breaks off the bigger part of the wishbone is believed to have their wish granted.
Cool Thanksgiving Traditions for Couples
Thanksgiving traditions are not just for families. There are people who live alone or with their partners. There might be some great Thanksgiving traditions for couples too! Perhaps a romantic stroll or a festive Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant. You can take part in a movie marathon in your living room or go on a trip. Whatever makes you happy! Of course, you may also visit the relatives, but you may also start making your own Thanksgiving Day traditions!
One might ask about Thanksgiving traditions for small families. It does not matter how many people are in your household – Thanksgiving is for everyone. Of course, it seems better to play Monopoly with more than just two people, but even a small family can have some great time during the Thanksgiving Day. You may go for a walk, watch movies, football or the parade, eat some delicious food or play different games. But remember to also sit back and relax a bit, because the Thanksgiving weekend gives you the opportunity to rest up a bit.
Traveling Around Thanksgiving
Just like we have already mentioned – some Thanksgiving traditions involve traveling. It can be a quick drive to your aunt who lives close by, but it may also be a trip to another country. Sunday following the Thanksgiving Day happens to be the worst day for travel. Airports are extremely busy and you can come across some heavy traffic on the roads. Everyone wants to return home, so you might want to wake up early and plan your trip for morning hours. And if you travel by plane – make sure to arrive at the airport on time or even earlier. The security lines can get pretty long.
For some travelers, Thanksgiving traditions revolve around waiting in lines and being slightly jetlagged. But some people like it. They like the excitement that accompanies them at the airports and that pleasant feeling once they reach their travel destination. Every family is different. That is why Thanksgiving Day traditions may be different for each of us. Whether you share your Thanksgiving meal with your family and then watch a football game or you relax at the pool – you can make your own Thanksgiving traditions.
Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World
Thanksgiving is generally known for being an American holiday, but there are some other countries around the world that have their own Thanksgiving festivities. Canada also has Thanksgiving holiday traditions, but they celebrate Thanksgiving in mid-October. Some Thanksgiving traditions and ideas for spending the holidays in Canada also revolve around food (turkey and sometimes even salmon) and watching games. Places like India, Japan, Germany, Australia or the United Kingdom have their own Thanksgiving celebrations which might be slightly different from the ones in the United States, because each country has their own history.
Thanksgiving traditions for families can differ. Some household might go for an after-dinner stroll or watch a movie together. Other people may travel to their relatives, and they spend their Thanksgiving morning on a plane. It is actually quite hard to distinguish the best Thanksgiving traditions, because each family has its own history. Sometimes they take walks together, or they play different games. Thanksgiving history and traditions are the things we should cherish and cultivate. It is the time to slow down a bit and appreciate our families, friends and all the goods that we are surrounded with.
There are many interesting Thanksgiving traditions and ideas on how to spend that day, but the most common one is to gather around the table and share a Thanksgiving meal. You might need a proper “Thanksgiving dinner outfit”, so remember to check out some Thanksgiving outfit ideas and make sure to pick the right one.
