Question from a Brit re' Thanksgiving

[ely3857]

I am unsure of the politically correct way of asking but what is Thanksgiving? What does it mean and where does it originate from?



Jodie

 

[Nickunited]

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

 

[experiment626mom]

Well, Thanksgiving is a day when we get together with our families and eat ourselves silly. A traditional dinner is a whole roasted turkey, cranberry sauce or relish, sweet potatoes, stuffing, another vegetable. And then pumpkin pie for dessert. (There are many variations on this meal)

The origins are basically that the pilgrims were thankful for making it through their 1st year here.

 

[Chicago526]

Long story short.

The very first settlers from England were the Puritans, they came here fleeing religious persecution. They were having a tough time of it here and many crops they'd brought with them from England failed. The Native Americans (formerly known as Indians but that's no longer PC) helped them out by showing them how to grow corn and other native crops.

Well, the Pilgrims (as we call the Puritan settlers) were finally getting on their own two feet and decided to have a 3 day party and invite the Native American to give thanks to them for their help, and thanks to God for their survival in this new land. This is known as the first Thanksgiving.

This celebration did not become institutionalized (although many attempts were made) until President Lincoln made it a Federal holiday in the 1860's.

Today, Thanksgiving is considered a day when friends and family get together to give thanks for their blessings and eat a ton of food and watch football (American football that is).

The day after Thanksgiving is the un-official start of the Christmas season, and is usually the busiest shopping day of the whole year, which is why US retailers call it "Black Friday" because it's the day that they often go from being "in the red" to "being in the black", meaning they are finally making money. Most stores have their best sales on this day to encourage shoppers to go to their stores and not a competitors.

 

[kasar]

Even though the early origins of Thanksgiving are a bit fuzzy historically, it's a time for American's to gather and give thanks for all their blessings. It's sort of like a celebration of the harvest and a start to the holiday season all wrapped up in one. It's my favorite holiday because it's just a nice day with no expectations, no presents, no hassle - just family, friends and great food.

By the way, for the last 20 years we've shared our Thanksgiving with our British friends (now U.S. citizens). They love the holiday as much as we do. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

 

[Keli]

To celebrate this holiday my family gets together, eats a wonderful meal featuring turkey as the main entree and takes time to think of all the things we are thankful to God for. My family and friends always top the list of things for which I am thankful.

 

[EthansMom]

The first (American) Thanksgiving occured in 1621 and was a harvest feast between the Puritan Pilgrims who had left England (fleeing religious prosecution) for the colonies and arrived in Plymouth, Massachussetts in 1620 and some of the local Native Americans.

Over the winter of 1620-1621, many of the Pilgrim settlers had perished due to cold, illness, and lack of food. The Native Americans had helped the English settlers with some planting, hunting, etc. during the spring and summer of 1621 and the two groups had a joint celebration in the fall with feasting and games.

A modern Thanksgiving celebration tends to be a large feast with friends and family. Foods served often include: Turkey (native to the Northeastern U.S.) and sometimes Ham, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes or Yams, Stuffing, Bread, Vegetables, Pumpkin Pie and other pies/cakes, Wine, etc. Families often contribute jointly to the feast, eat off the nice china, and then eat until the buttons are ready to pop off their pants.

Before and after dinner, men often watch Football (American style) on t.v. or might play sports outside; kids are running around playing with each other; and often families play cards or boardgames or watch a movie together in the evening/afternoon. Generally, it's either a wonderful visit or your family is driving you nuts -- depends on your family, I guess.

Here's a good website I found about the Pilgrims: http://www.plimoth.org/learn/history/colonists/PilgrimPeople.asp

Edited to add: For the "Thanksgiving" aspect of Thanksgiving, the meal is often kicked off by saying a prayer of thanks-giving, where one or more members of the family give thanks for the good things in their lives. Honestly, with us and the ILs, Thanksgiving is the only meal all year where we say "Grace".

 

[Chicago526]

Before and after dinner, men often watch Football (American style) on t.v.

Ahem. The women in my family are the big football fans, most of the guys could care less! How dare you make such a gender biased assumption! Humph!

 

[EthansMom]

Ahem. The women in my family are the big football fans, most of the guys could care less! How dare you make such a gender biased assumption! Humph!

Sorry! If the women in my family watched football, we'd all starve to death on Thanksgiving.

 

[kasar]

A perfect Thanksgiving in my world involves the cable line being snapped and no football. But then again, all the men would be up on the roof trying to rig up clothes hangers and aluminum foil to make an antenna. I gave up that battle long ago!

 

[stinkerbelle]

ya'll forgot the biggest thing with Thanksgiving!

the after turkey nap!

 

[Beth76]

I don't think anyone mentioned alcohol. Or is that just a given. Oh and the turkey leftovers!!! I love a turkey sandwich on a croissant.

 

[ely3857]

Thanks for all the info guys!

It all sounds so lovely!

Hope you all have fun!



Jodie

 

[Missamoncus]

I think Robin Williams sums it up best:

The Pilgrims made it through the first year and said to the Indians
"We've brought you syphillis and guilt. Can we stay? Let's eat. "

Melissa