Thanksgiving is one of the most meaningful holidays in the United States, and it’s a celebration that is starting to gain popularity in other countries too. Thanks in part to the growing excitement around Black Friday, the traditions linked to Thanksgiving are becoming increasingly fascinating for many of us.
If you’d like to celebrate Thanksgiving Day like a true American, here are a few tips to help you get ready for this special occasion!
How Thanksgiving Day Is Celebrated in the United States
The Parade
Thanksgiving Day in the US traditionally begins with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, held every year in New York City from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (local time). Watching it live in person would be amazing, but you can also enjoy the parade by streaming it online.
Shopping
After watching the parade, Americans usually head to supermarkets to buy anything they may still need for the famous Thanksgiving dinner.
The Presidential Turkey Pardon
Since the mid-20th century, it has been a tradition for the President of the United States to “pardon” one or two turkeys at 12:00 pm, sparing them from being cooked for Thanksgiving dinner.
Cooking
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner often takes days. For this reason, many families start cooking well in advance or spend the entire day in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day itself.
All About Sports
Thanksgiving has one main pastime (besides food): American football. It’s tradition to spend the day watching football games with family and friends.
Dinner Time
Dinner is the highlight of the day. Roast turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie — the list of traditional dishes is long and delicious!
