Thanks Giving: please explain

[Tuumble]

I've never quite understood how Thanks Giving came about and what it stands for. Also, we have 'Happy Christmas' in the UK and you Americans have 'Happy Holidays'. You have your turkey in November and we have it in December. Do you get two lots of presents or is it just family time?

Just fill me in on what Thanks Giving is and what it means to you.

[WanderingOak]

Thanksgiving (one word) in America is primarily just a family get-together 'Feast Day', where the menu is usually 'traditional American foods' such as Turkey, Sweet Potatoes (never understood how they got included, they were originally from SOUTH America, and wouldn't even be recognized in New England), Cranberries, stuffing (a savory bread pudding), and Corn (Maize). There usually isn't much gift giving involved, although if the visiting distant relatives aren't going to be there for Christmas, they will often bring gifts for that holiday, to be opened later. I find it interesting that Turkey has become a traditional Christmas meal in Britain, considering the fact that they were originally native only to North America. I was under the impression that Goose was the traditional holiday meal, or have I bee reading too much Dickens?

Anyhow, to me, right now, it's just a day off from work (without pay ), since my nearest distant relative (figure that one out?) is a five hour drive away. I'll have a 'feast day' with friends a few days later, but in actuality, I plan on painting my living room on Thanksgiving Day...

[Beloved]

As an Australian I used to wonder about Thanksgiving too, but thanks to the wonders of the net I have since learnt. We have Australia Day over here, we don't celebrate it with special meals but in a more Aussie way - doing anything we d*mnwell want LOL. For my family we have a BBQ picnic followed by an evening at a free concert and fireworks.

For Christmas Turkey also seems to have a hold on us too, most families have a traditional meal more suited to cooler (ie winter) climates even though it's usually hotter than you know what down here. Some do spend the day on the beach but noone I know does it, a lot of tourists do it because it's supposed to be the Australian thing to do. Mostly we are stuffed into overcrowded houses with AC blaring (for those who are lucky enough to have it that is) with family we've not seen for a year (a day a year is all we can stand to see some family members) eating food that one poor soul usually the mother has slaved over a hot stove since early morning.

[Elrond]

Originally Posted by Beloved

We have Australia Day over here, we don't celebrate it with special meals but in a more Aussie way - doing anything we d*mnwell want LOL.

You aussies have done anything you've d'amn well wanted: like screwing over the native people LOL. So you can celebrate that side of thanksgiving.

[NeedMyCoffee]

Thanksgiving was a traditional holiday to celebrate the fall harvest.

It's a day to gather with family and friends and reflect on our blessings. Gifts are not usually given on this holiday. Turkey and all the trimmings is the traditional meal; ham has also become a main item on many tables.

Many Americans say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas to be politically correct, as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated this time of year. Personally, I will always say Merry Christmas. I respect others that celebrate different things, and I will not be offended if someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah.

[Victor Vikingr]

Originally Posted by NeedMyCoffee

Many Americans say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas to be politically correct, as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated this time of year. Personally, I will always say Merry Christmas. I respect others that celebrate different things, and I will not be offended if someone wishes me Happy Hanukkah.

We don't have that problem in Norwegian since we use the word 'jol' (alternative spelling: 'jul'), from Old Norse 'jól', which was celebrated at this time of the year, as the days started to get lighter. The word may be one of the god Óðinn's (Old Norse genitive: Óðins) many names, so it may or may not be politically correct, but the word is definitely not associated with the Norse gods any more.

Even Christians often celebrate X-mas (would this be more neutral than 'Christmas'?) because of traditions (or presents (lol), which even some Vikings did before Christianity reached Norway) and not because of the added Christian stuff.

I regard it as a celebration of the winter solstice, like the Vikings.

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by Tuumble

Just fill me in on what Thanks Giving means to you.

Thanksgiving, means 'ThankFUL living...'