What Do We Celebrate on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, steeped in rich history and celebrated with loved ones over delicious food, gratitude, and community. Each year, families, friends, and communities come together to observe traditions, give thanks, and share meals. But beyond the familiar traditions, there’s a fascinating history and a range of ways people celebrate Thanksgiving—whether with a large family gathering, with friends, or even solo.

Thanksgiving is a day for Americans to express gratitude for the blessings of the past year. The holiday’s roots can be traced back to the harvest feasts of the late medieval and early-modern period in England. The uniquely American Thanksgiving tradition dates back to 1621, the fabled “First Thanksgiving,” when newly arrived European settlers in the Massachusetts Bay colony shared a feast with members of the local indigenous Wampanoag tribe. This event became steeped in legend over the decades and centuries, and this act of communal gratitude laid the foundation for the Thanksgiving holiday we know today.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, intending it to be a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Today, Thanksgiving has evolved beyond its historical roots into a cultural tradition. While it’s still centered around gratitude and appreciation, the holiday also represents togetherness and generosity, encouraging people to reach out to those in need, volunteer, and share meals with loved ones.

How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last?

While modern Thanksgiving is a one-day event celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, the first Thanksgiving lasted much longer. The original Thanksgiving in 1621 was a three-day celebration! The Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe gathered to feast and celebrate the success of the Pilgrims’ first harvest. They shared meals, played games, and enjoyed each other’s company, marking a rare moment of harmony and mutual respect.

This three-day celebration included a variety of foods, some of which still grace today’s Thanksgiving tables, such as turkey, cranberries, and squash. However, there were also some unique additions that might surprise you, such as venison and various seafood. While the holiday has evolved over the centuries, this spirit of thankfulness and celebration remains.

How do people celebrate Thanksgiving today?

Thanksgiving traditions have changed and diversified over the years, but many households still celebrate with beloved customs passed down through generations. Here are some of the most popular ways people celebrate Thanksgiving today:

1. Thanksgiving Feast

A Thanksgiving meal is a highlight of the holiday, featuring classic dishes like roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Families and friends gather around the table, share stories, and give thanks for the good things in their lives.

2. Football Games and Parades

For many, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without watching a football game or catching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. High school football is a staple of the holiday, often featuring long-running rivalry games that date back to the 19th century. (The NFL and college football also have made Turkey Day a quintessential football holiday for more than a century.) Meanwhile, parades like Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City showcase floats, musical performances, and enormous balloons, bringing holiday cheer to viewers around the country.

3. Giving Back to the Community

Many people use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to help others. Volunteering at soup kitchens, donating to food drives, or organizing community meals are ways people give back. This focus on generosity underscores Thanksgiving’s message of gratitude and unity.

4. Taking Time to Reflect

Thanksgiving is also a time for personal reflection, offering a moment to pause and appreciate the blessings in life. Some people take time before or during the meal to express gratitude, while others spend part of the day reflecting on the past year.

How do some people celebrate Thanksgiving alone?

While Thanksgiving is often celebrated with family and friends, many people find themselves spending the holiday alone. Whether by choice or circumstance, a solo Thanksgiving can be a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of Thanksgiving on your own:

1. Cook a Small Feast for Yourself

Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious meal. Preparing a scaled-down Thanksgiving feast can be a fun, rewarding way to celebrate. You might try making a small turkey breast, mashed potatoes, or a personal-sized pumpkin pie. Alternatively, you could experiment with unique recipes or indulge in your favorite comfort foods.

2. Host a Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner

Technology makes it easy to connect with family and friends, even from afar. Consider organizing a virtual Thanksgiving dinner via video call. Share a meal together, play games, or simply chat. Virtual gatherings can still create a sense of togetherness, even if you’re miles apart.

3. Volunteer or Donate

Giving back to others can be fulfilling, especially during the holiday season. Many organizations seek extra help around Thanksgiving, so you could volunteer at a soup kitchen, deliver meals, or even make donations. Helping others can bring a deeper sense of gratitude and connection to your holiday.

4. Create New Traditions

Celebrating alone can also be an opportunity to start new traditions. You could spend the day watching movies, going for a hike, or taking a relaxing “self-care day.” Consider journaling to reflect on what you’re thankful for, set goals for the upcoming year, or spend some time reading a favorite book.

5. Plan a “Friendsgiving” for Another Time

If you’re not with family this Thanksgiving, why not plan a Friendsgiving for a later date? Gather friends for a potluck-style Thanksgiving celebration, either over the weekend or another convenient time. This extended celebration allows you to enjoy the holiday with loved ones and keeps the Thanksgiving spirit alive.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in your own way with a year-end charitable donation through Embrace Relief!

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and connection, whether it’s celebrated with a large family gathering, among friends, or alone. With its origins in gratitude and community, Thanksgiving offers everyone a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate life’s blessings.

At Embrace Relief, we aim to share our blessings, and those of generous donors like you, with people in need around the world through our humanitarian aid programs.

That’s why we have begun our Year-End Giving 2024 Campaign, which seeks to provide those in need with the support they need to grow and prosper.

By making a donation to Embrace Relief’s Year-End Giving campaign, you can provide much-needed aid through three key programs:

• Clean Water, through the building of water wells in Africa;
• Health, by providing cataract surgeries and health checkups to those in need; and
• Orphan Care, meeting the basic needs of orphaned children.

Whether we’re among friends, family, our communities, or on our own this Turkey Day, we all have something to be thankful for. So why not give someone else a reason to be thankful – by making a gift to our Year-End Giving campaign using the donation box below. With just one click, you can brighten someone else’s world this holiday season!