A typical Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, potatoes, and other vegetables! (Photo Credit: Lauri Patterson)
It's that time of year again!
Leaves are falling, and with that comes one of the few times of the year where you dress up to indulge yourself by shoving your face with food and giving thanks. Thanksgiving is an American holiday surrounded by football, the warm hues of red and browns, leaves changing from green to red, the start of warmer drinks, and the noticeable drop in temperatures.
As the weather gets colder, we await the wonderful holiday. Unlike other holidays, Thanksgiving doesn’t fall on a consecutive date, but rather on the fourth Thursday in November. There are parades and events hosted as the air smells more and more like the delectable dinner to come. As the Macy's parade floats down the city of New York, we gather in admiration. As cartoon characters, dancers, and singers fill the streets, we sit in the comfort of our homes. This parade is a tradition that many Americans share, watching in the early hours of the morning while cooking up the Thanksgiving feast.
Food, more often than not, tends to bring people together. On this day, food like turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and more are shared amongst families across the country. However, some families even add their own recipes and spices to share their tradition and views on this day. For example, my family eats Thanksgiving lunch and dinner. We do this so that we can enjoy two hearty meals of Thanksgiving glory. We also, like other families, tend to watch the football and basketball games hosted on Thanksgiving.
The first ever Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Native Americans and the Pilgrims in November of 1621. As the crops were ready to be picked and the air got cold and crisp, they began to make preparations for a feast. Celebrating the good harvest and what the year had brought to them, they gathered around the table. During this time they came together to share a feast despite their challenges. This is a tradition we still hold to this day; people come together under one roof to experience the holiday as one.
Although this is a national holiday, each state, town, family, and community celebrates differently. Generations of traditions have been passed down to commemorate the fall harvest and the blessings of the past year.
This holiday may be celebrated differently for everyone, yet it manages brings people together for a common interest. Thanksgiving encourages unity and community to those who choose to celebrate.
Whether your in the streets of New York or on your living room sofa, this is a day to share stories and spend time with loved ones while upholding the roots of a long lasting tradition!
How do you celebrate thanksgiving?