Love and RelationshipsThanksgiving Customs & Decorating Tips
Thanksgiving is an annual holiday, observed in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November, commemorating a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Today, this holiday focuses mainly on family togetherness, home and customs that have made this special day a festive one.
Modern tradition celebrates Thanksgiving with parades, pageants, parties and large gatherings of friends and family for dinner. Turkey, which is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, is typically served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc. For many families, giving thanks by verbally expressing what they are thankful for is a longstanding tradition. Before dinner begins, each individual is given time to express his/her gratitude in front of everyone at the dinner table.
When it comes to decorations, most communities decorate their church with flowers, fruits and colors that represent the season. At home, families typically decorate with wreaths featuring the shades of autumn and a festive centerpiece on their dining room table. Many dinner tables are adorned with a horn of plenty, which is also known as a cornucopia. This symbol consists of a goat’s horn overflowing with flowers, fruit and corn. It represents a supply of good things, which is a traditional wish for Thanksgiving.
Once the turkey is eaten and the wonderful scent of Thanksgiving dinner has left, you can still enjoy the smells of the holiday with the use of scented candles. Pumpkin scented candles are especially festive, and will add a nice decorative touch and pleasing scent to any room. Other popular scents include those of fruit, flowers and any favorite smell that reminds you of the holiday.
Immediately following Thanksgiving, people begin to shift their thinking toward the next major holiday, which is Christmas. As Thanksgiving Day comes to a conclusion, some choose to spend the evening relaxing with family and friends. For others, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas and the growing tradition of putting up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving evening. Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year as consumers begin to start buying for Christmas. On this day, stores offer promotions and sale prices to draw shoppers into their store.
When all is said and done, Thanksgiving is a day for being thankful. From family and friends to a plentiful dinner table and a warm feeling that we get from spending time with those that we cherish, this day is truly one for tradition.