Thanksgiving is a national holiday mostly celebrated in the United States. It is the harvest festival, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November since 1789. This day is reserved for the pilgrim’s meal that was held traditionally on a three-day harvest festival.

It marks the harvest season with celebratory meals and festivals themed on the ancient pagan festival.

Within many religions and communities, the most practiced ritual is the “Thanksgiving Meal”. So you must go with your loved ones at a dinner party.

Thanksgiving tradition: “presidents pardoning of turkey”:

On or slightly before Thanksgiving Day, the president of the United States used to officially “pardon a turkey” that is sent to live at an animal sanctuary. After 1989, it was granted as the official tradition held in white house every year on thanksgiving.

After pardoning they are sent to Gobblers Rest “exhibit in Blacksburg, Virginia”. Here the students and vets at Virginia Tech’s Department of Animal and Poultry used to take care of these turkeys. People who wish can also visit this national thanksgiving turkey at Gobbler’s Rest. 

What delights you can have on this special occasion?

The meal on this day especially includes turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, sweet potatoes, stuffing, dumplings, buttered rum, candy canes, and pumpkin pies. Generally, the food items may vary depending on the different cultures and rituals of families.

As a celebration of the harvest, it is the most important day for the farmers. Thus they do different activities like charity work on this day. Other common activities include serving and preparing meals to poor people, helping the homeless folks, and participating in community outreach programs.

Many cities mark this large festival with parades to honor Thanksgiving. Some of the cities celebrations are described following:

New York City: 

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade accompanied by marching bands throughout New York. It is one of the largest parades held here. Watch the unique tradition of New York displayed in this world-famous event where folks in costumes with annual pageant and massive balloons walk on the streets. This lively vision of a massive parade catches everyone’s heart.

Chicago, Illinois:

A parade in Chicago is hosted on this day but it is not renowned like New York. You will witness the finest marching bands, majestic horses, festive floats, and incredible performance groups. It has its way of flowing with the giant floats, marching bands, and a vibrant thanksgiving spirit.

The spectators can enjoy the procession moving through the streets of downtown. You can be a part of turkey trot (footrace) to be a part of fun & frolic. There are many special markets that open during thanksgiving where you can relish the charm of ornaments, carolers, festive lights, and cheerful window displays.

Houston, Texas:

Witness the breathtaking parade in Houston that attracts thousands of people. It is the city that goes from wild to wonderful on this day. The parade begins at 9 am full of the showcase of balloons, float entries of artists and grand marshal. The procession is not like the traditional one but the modern charm is also good to see. 

What’s special to do on this day?

There are lots of fun things you can do on Thanksgiving Day. It is the day when you are thankful for having all the gifts and blessings that are given throughout the entire year. This day you can share the fixings between families and friends. 

• You can host or attend a Thanksgiving Meal on this evening. If you don’t like to cook then reserve a table at your favorite restaurant where you can have a complete traditional Thanksgiving meal.
• Plan a Destination Vacation: If you aren’t a US citizen then book a flight to the USA to visualize the thanksgiving parade and great celebration. You can travel with family on holiday for more fun.
• Make a Thankful Tree: On this day you can craft your own thankful tree and decorate your home for this eve. It is a quite interesting thanksgiving tradition.
• Attend the Thanksgiving Parade: As mentioned above, there are various cities where the thanksgiving parade is held with great fervor. You can go and witness the procession lively.
• Thanksgiving Games are a must: It is a common family tradition to play games on this day. While waiting for the Thanksgiving Meal you can play games with family members.
• Make a wish: There is a cultural tradition of making a wish on this day. Pull apart the turkey wishbone and allow two persons to pull it. The one with the long bone will have their wish granted.
• Try a turkey trot because on this day you are going to eat too much and you need exercise. There is the oldest known turkey-trot footrace in Buffalo, New York where people come with silly costumes and laugh the way out till the finish line. 
• Don’t miss the cornucopia: The main centerpiece of thanksgiving is cornucopia. You can also craft your cornucopia for the dining table.
• Thanksgiving trip: You can plan a trip this Thanksgiving to the USA or Canada. As these are on the top list of Thanksgiving celebrations. Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the sacrifice and the blessing of the harvest. Canadians used to celebrate this day on the second Monday of October and Americans celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November.

Make this festive special and unforgettable with these amazing traditions. So, book India to USA flights and attend this yearly reunion of Thanksgiving in USA. It is all about the people you love and you have to give them a surprise. No need to burn a hole in your pocket for getting the flights on Thanksgiving. You can always get the lower airfare if you book at the right time.

ALSO READ:-