By the time all of you have your Thanksgiving celebrations, we will have had a month and a half to recover from all that turkey, stuffing, fall veggies and pumpkin pie. Canadian Thanksgiving is always the second Monday in October but many families have their Thanksgiving meal on the Sunday. When we were in PEI, our neighbours had us over for Thanksgiving dinner on the Sunday. It was a real fall harvest meal.
Although both American and Canadian Thanksgiving is about family, food, and football, there are some differences other than just timing.
Canadian Thanksgiving has nothing to do with pilgrims or the Mayflower. Thanksgiving was originally an Indigenous ceremony. Over time it became a celebration of the fall harvest.
I have noticed that American Thanksgiving seems to be an even bigger family deal than Christmas, but here in Canada that is not so. Although families get together it seems more low key. People are more likely to fly to be with family during Christmas or New Year.
Another big difference has to do with shopping. That wild Black Friday type shopping craze isn't an essential part of our Thanksgiving weekend. However, in the last few years we are beginning to have some nice Black Friday sales' events. Our biggest, craziest shopping day has always been right after Christmas on Boxing Day.
Thanksgiving has a special significance for our family. Shannon was born on Thanksgiving Monday 40 years ago today. I love that she chose Thanksgiving for her birthday.
At its core, Thanksgiving is about taking time to be grateful.
And then fighting like hell to keep the dark away...
