History of Thanksgiving

Gratitude is the essence of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our Thanksgiving roots go back to a British Festival held by churches called the Harvest Festival.  This Festival, which evolved from a pagan celebration, is held on the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox. The Harvest Festival was held to show gratitude for the harvest of the crops. During the Harvest Festival, people would take part of their harvest to the church so it could be distributed to the poor and elderly. In the United States, many continue the tradition of giving thanks by donating food to food-banks or serving the poor hot meals on Thanksgiving Day.

 The United States and Canada, both, commemorate Thanksgiving Day but on different dates. The American Thanksgiving is observed on the 4th Thursday in November but in Canada it is observed on the 2nd Monday of October. In the United States it is considered a national holiday and in Canada it is a religious holiday. But, despite their differences, each views the most important aspects of Thanksgiving to be gratitude and family.

 Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends rejoicing in all the blessings of the past year.  Family photos, a Thanksgiving centerpiece for the dinner table or watching a football game are some ways, we observe and practice Thanksgiving traditions. The most significant Thanksgiving tradition practiced is the dinner; and turkey is the heart of it. Thanksgiving tradition dictates how the turkey is prepared. Some have roasted or smoked turkey; others have deep fried turkey. Thanksgiving is more than turkey; desserts play a big part and pumpkin is the focus.  There are many pumpkin desserts: pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread with pumpkin butter and pumpkin cookies.

 When all is said and done, the true spirit of Thanksgiving is sharing with your family and friends; what you are grateful for in your life and remembering those whom are less fortunate. If you can't be with your loved one during the holiday, try one of these Thanksgiving ideas:

 Send a Thanksgiving flower arrangement.

• Send a Thanksgiving card with why you are thankful.
• Send a framed Thanksgiving family photo with a tin of Thanksgiving pumpkin cookies..
• Send a Thanksgiving gift basket.

Remember Thanksgiving is all about gratitude: any form of thanks will be appreciated.

For Thanksgiving flower arrangement ideas, check out Cornucopia - The Horn of Plenty