Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Why? It’s the most exciting time of the year! There is a crisp in the air, Starbucks adds the pumpkin spice latte to the menu, each family member takes the time to bake or cook their best dishes and friends and family gather around the table(s) to enjoy amazing food, share stories from the past and give thanks for all we have. Nothing compares to a warm home full of family and friends enjoying time with one another. Do you agree?
I Married Into New Thanksgiving Traditions
As I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time with my new family (husbands side of the family), I am introduced to new traditions, food, activities and stories. Coming from an Italian home, it is customary for us to serve various pasta dishes, pour pasta sauce over our turkey instead of gravy and “yell” and fling our arms about as we passionately tell stories about the past.
Not every family celebrates Thanksgiving like Italian-American families. My husband doesn’t understand my craving for pasta sauce over turkey, but I don’t understand his craving for deep fried turkey and rice pudding. However, this year I am looking forward to discovering new Thanksgiving traditions from my husband’s Polish and German heritage.
How Other Countries Celebrate Thanksgiving
My fascination with other countries and traditions led me to spend much time researching how other countries celebrate Thanksgiving. Not all countries celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey, football, and reminiscing around the dinner table. I found that other countries engage in fascinating activities much different than the traditional American activities.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Greece
The ancient Greeks engaged in a three-day celebration each fall to honor Demeter, the Goddess of Corn and Grains. The celebration is known as Thesmophoria. The celebration occurred between October and November. During this time the Greeks believed in an old myth surrounding a Thanksgiving symbol, the cornucopia, Latin for cornu copiae, meaning horn of plenty. The cornucopia is said to be a severed goat’s horn that carried enchanted powers. The horn was created by Zeus to provide the owner whatever he/she desired. Today, Greeks that have an American influence celebrate Thanksgiving (modern day Thesmophoria) with traditional American dishes with a Greek influence.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada
Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving before the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts. In 1578, Martin Frosbisher arrived in Newfoundland, Canada where he celebrated giving thanks for arriving safely to the New World. The celebration takes place on the second Monday of October to celebrate Thanksgiving with the European harvest festivals, which ends in October. Canadian Thanksgivings are much like the American festivities of enjoying turkey, corn, stuffing, cranberries and pies with family and friends around the table.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Italy
Much like the Greeks, the ancient Romans celebrate with their harvest festival known as Cerelia to honor Ceres, the Goddess of Corn. The festival took place on October 4th when communities gathered to offer animals, fruits and grains to the Goddess. Today, most Italians do not celebrate Thanksgiving unless they have an American influence in the home. Many Italian-American homes share traditional Thanksgiving food along with Italian dishes. Some locations in Rome provide Thanksgiving festivities to accommodate the large amount of tourists in November.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in China
The ancient Chinese celebrated with the Chung Ch’ui, a harvest festival to celebrate the harvest moon. Families gathered to enjoy a meal with round yellow moon cakes; much like flaky pastries stuffed with sweet filling. Today, the Chinese continue to celebrate with a festival known as the August Moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month on the Chinese calendar; usually takes place around September or October. Why do they celebrate in this manner? Chinese believe that the moon is at its roundest and brightest state on this day. The moon gives lovers the ability speak with their heart, friends to rekindle relationships and women the gift of fertility. The Chinese still enjoy moon-cakes on this day as it is a traditional delicacy.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Israel
Jews have celebrated Sukkot, a harvest festival signifying the end of the harvest, for over 3,000 years. During Sukkot, families build makeshift huts out of branches under the stars. The huts symbolize the temporary living quarters of the Israelites during their journey across the desert. After building the huts, families enjoy their meals under the Sukkot for eight days.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Korea
Koreans celebrate Chu-Sok (fall evening) to giving thanks in late September to early October. It is a three-day celebration to honor ancestors who have passed. At this time, Korean families enjoy food from the fresh harvest after gathering for a memorial service and visiting the gravesites of ancestors.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Germans, Austrians and the Swiss celebrate Thanksgiving with an autumn harvest festival called Erntedank or Erntedankfest (harvest thanksgiving festival). The Germans and Austrians celebrate Erntedank on the first Sunday in October while the Swiss celebrate Erntedank in mid-September. The celebration begins with church services following a parade and a country fair with music. Traditionally, a harvest crown is given to the harvest queen followed by much dancing and a feast. In some locations, lanterns are lit by parade participants and children set fireworks. Leftover food is given to the needy.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in India
Indians celebrate Thanksgiving with Pongal on January 15th to mark the end of the harvest season and honor the belief that the month of Thai will bring good fortune. The celebration lasts four days and begins with Bhogi, which is a day dedicated to giving thanksgiving to Lord Indra, the God of Heavens. On the following day, known as Pongal, Indians pay their respects to Surya, the Sun God. On the third day, known as Maattu Pongal, respects are given to cattle. The final day of Pongal marks the end of the celebrations and is identified as Kaanum Pongal.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is fascinating to discover how others give thanks and celebrate the harvest season don’t you think? I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities. Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for sharing my posts with your friends and family. If I didn’t cover the traditions of your heritage in this post or if you have information to add, please leave a comment below.
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