10 Fascinating Thanksgiving Traditions For You

Every year, on 23rd November, the entire Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US, Canada, Liberia, and other countries like Brazil. Thanksgiving traditions have always caught the eye of the world; with the day being a national holiday, people world cherish the Thanksgiving traditions. Over the years, many movies and shows have been made to showcase the importance of Thanksgiving facts. We are sure you remember the famous Thanksgiving episode of the show “Friends,” where classic Monica and Ross fought for the famous Geller Cup. If you are too curious to know about some interesting Thanksgiving facts, then stay tuned to learn about Thanksgiving traditions. 

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is celebrated around the world to give thanks for the blessings of the harvest. Originally celebrated as a harvest festival, Thanksgiving traditions have evolved over the years. It is about togetherness and enjoying each other’s company, with many Thanksgiving activities planned out for the family members, which are traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving games, watching football on Thanksgiving, etc. Thanksgiving was first celebrated in October 1621 by Pilgrims right after their first harvest. It was celebrated by having a feast which was attended by 90 native American Wampanoag people, and ever since then, there’s no looking back for Thanksgiving. Let’s check out some of the captivating Thanksgiving traditions. 

Fascinating Thanksgiving Traditions and Facts for you!

Thanksgiving traditions have been followed ever since its incorporation. Over the years, people have made sure to follow the Thanksgiving traditions diligently by refining traditions. In this blog, we will be discussing classic Thanksgiving dishes and Thanksgiving facts. So, without further ado, let’s dive straight into the world of Thanksgiving traditions. 

1. The Feast

One of the most admired and followed Thanksgiving traditions is the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Families gather around to celebrate this day by preparing a classic Thanksgiving meal. Roast Turkey is considered one of the most important parts of the Thanksgiving meal. Not just this, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc., make a fine traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Sounds fascinating? Want to know how thanksgiving is celebrated in UK, there are more ways to celebrating thanksgiving and they differ from country to country.

2. Break a Wishbone

Another one of the fascinating Thanksgiving traditions is the breaking of Turkey’s wishbone. A wishbone is a Y-shaped bone which carries a superstition behind it, which two people break after enjoying dinner. People make their wishes before breaking the wishbone, and whoever ends up with a bigger piece is believed to get whatever wish they have made. Isn’t it interesting how you can fulfil your wishes with Wishbone? What would you wish for if you knew you would get the bigger piece?

3. Play Football

Yes, you read it right; this one of the Thanksgiving traditions has kept people engaged over the years. Whether it is about watching your favourite football team on TV or playing football with your family, it is one such Thanksgiving tradition that brings together families and gives them the chance to connect with each other even more. The football loving country USA celebrates Thanksgiving in different yet beautiful traditions.

4. Use Classic Grandmother’s China

Often, people invite friends and family over for Thanksgiving dinner. When the family gathers over, the occasion demands flaunting the classic grandmother’s china. Something which is mostly inherited from the ancestors; however, when you don’t have classics in your wealth, then you create one for yourself. To walk down memory lane and to smell the nostalgia, Thanksgiving tables are often decorated with love from the grannies to infuse the vintage vibes. This definitely is one of the most cherished and loved Thanksgiving traditions by far, where nostalgia meets the present with love.

5. Express Gratitude by Helping Others

Thanksgiving traditions include helping others in any way one can. Often, people volunteer for various services, including serving food at homeless shelters. This is one of the ways of giving back to the community by helping the less privileged ones. Some of the organisations also host annual Thanksgiving dinners for the less fortunate so that nobody feels left out on this day and can feel at home & happy. This also brings society together and closer, where people think about each other and indulge in kindness and acceptance. 

6. Raise a Toast

Another one of the admired Thanksgiving traditions is raising a toast and being thankful for something or the other. The host of the dinner can take the lead here, or everyone at the table can go one by one, expressing gratitude by raising a toast. This is one of the amazing Thanksgiving activities that instils faith and strengthens the bond between family and friends. 

7. Decorative Entryway

Thanksgiving includes various activities that bring out the creativity of the people and give them a chance to flaunt their artistic side. People usually decorate their entrances in order to welcome their guests with a warm and love. Decoration can be done with festive items like pumpkins, vintage lanterns, and a wreath of leaves. This is one of the beautiful Thanksgiving traditions that let people witness the festivity and get engrossed in it. This also involves kids and children of all ages and is the best way to keep them entertained and bring out their creativity. 

8. Adorning Sideboard

If you happen to have a sideboard, then this is the right time to beautify it. Usually, people like to decorate it with old family photos; however, over the years, there has been a different approach that people have started following to decorate the sideboards. The theme-based decorations have garnered a lot of attention, and people like to use fall themes for the decorations. Flowers and candles are the common decorative items that people usually use to decorate the sideboards. 

9. Take a Nap

Yes, you read it right: take a nap this Thanksgiving to follow one of the widely followed Thanksgiving traditions. Usually followed by a power-packed lunch, people like to take afternoon nap. Well, blame it on Turkey, as the excessive sleepiness is all due to the delicious, tummy-filled meal that forces one to retreat to their den. People have become habitual of taking a mid-day nap after heavy meals. Although, if you are in NYC during thanksgiving, you should definitely not nap but go out and enjoy the beautiful parades and feasts that the city has to offer.

10. Ending with a Pumpkin Pie 

Well, Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie is incomplete; it is one of the mouth-watering Thanksgiving traditions that people gladly follow, afterall who doesn’t like a pie? Smooth, creamy, and delicious pumpkin pie is the ideal Thanksgiving dessert to end your meal with. Classic pumpkin pie garnished with cranberries enhances the look of the Thanksgiving table. 

Well, this was our list of the Thanksgiving traditions that have been followed over the years. These Thanksgiving facts are diligently carried forward by generations and have found their way today in every other household. Thanksgiving allows people to come together and celebrate the festivity with love and warmth. We hope you enjoyed reading Thanksgiving traditions as much as we enjoyed writing it. Don’t forget to add these Thanksgiving activities to your bucket list and have fun with your family. Happy Thanksgiving!