Another holiday: Thanksgiving

Angelika And since I'm already on the topic of holidays, I'll also explain what "Thanksgiving" is all about. In the USA, Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday in November. Although many countries have "harvest festivals" on their calendars, the American one has a special significance. The Pilgrims, who came from England to America across the Atlantic in 1620, had an indescribably hard first year in the New World. The local Native Americans then showed them how to cultivate corn and other grains, resulting in an exceptionally bountiful harvest the following year. The recipe for popcorn is also said to have originated from Native Americans. In gratitude, the Pilgrims held a feast for the Native Americans. Today, "Thanksgiving" is one of the most important holidays in America. Families come together, which has led to the time around Thanksgiving being the peak travel season in the USA. Roads are congested, flights are fully booked. Additionally, the majority of workers not only have Thanksgiving off but also the following Friday, which, when combined with the weekend, gives most people four days off. A real luxury in America!

Traditionally, a roast turkey with cranberry sauce is, of course, served at Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes are also very popular. The holiday also involves taking a moment to reflect on what one is grateful for in life. Before indulging in the feast, everyone at the table takes turns saying what fills them with gratitude: "I am thankful for ...".

After the meal, people sit in front of the TV and watch "football." I haven't yet figured out why. One nice thing about Thanksgiving is that no gifts need to be bought and no cards need to be written. Additionally, because of its timing in November, the Christmas shopping season (along with Christmas decorations) in the USA starts significantly later than elsewhere, typically on the Friday after Thanksgiving, since hardly anyone works that day, leaving time for shopping. However, Thanksgiving is not without controversy, especially among more liberal circles. Many people are initially bothered by the fact that the active role of American Indians (referred to here as "Native Americans") in the first Thanksgiving celebration is not emphasized enough. And then, of course, there is the issue of the decimation of Native Americans, a topic that is often swept under the rug in America.

In general, the story with holidays that one did not grow up with is an interesting phenomenon. Thanksgiving means very little to me. It's nothing more than a nice meal. Perhaps this also explains why many foreigners far from home rely more on their familiar customs and traditions than in their country of origin. Regardless of Thanksgiving, we are definitely looking forward to the days off!