For 1-800-Flowers.com founder Jim McCann and his family, St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate their Irish heritage and welcome the arrival of spring.
The McCann family has several St. Patrick’s Day rituals. For Jim, the day always starts with a friend who sends out a text message at the crack of dawn. “Top O’ the mornin’ to ye!” it reads.
One of their favorite traditions is watching — and sometimes marching in — New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Once, Jim and his wife Marylou were afforded a perfect view from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a guest of Cardinal Timothy Dolan with their good friend Ed O’Brien. It’s a memory he’ll never forget.
Marylou spices things up with her famous Irish soda bread. Her recipe strays from tradition (accidentally, of course) by adding and omitting a few ingredients. The first time was a mix-up, but the result was so craic-ing good that the McCann clan demanded she keep the magic intact for years to come.
Dive into Marylou’s special soda bread recipe and brace yourself for a taste of Irish luck.
Go ahead, crack open a cold one, or uncork a bottle of wine, and put your feet up. It’s a holiday, right? You deserve it — especially since the holiday you’re casually celebrating was probably a long time in the making and extremely hard won.
What is a holiday?
Although the word “holiday” derives from the term “holy day” and naturally first involved religious observances, the term is used broadly today and applies even to secular celebrations. (Some parts of the world use “holiday” to say they’re taking a vacation!)
Religious holidays like Christmas, Easter, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali are mostly self-explanatory. But America’s secular ones — the list of which is ballooning — generally commemorate important people and historic events or raise awareness about critical issues.
They also fall under specific designations. Officially speaking, holidays in the United States include “federal holidays,” “patriotic and national observances,” and “recognitions” of specific periods of time (days, weeks, or months). Others that aren’t sanctioned by religious institutions, or perhaps by any level of government, are lawfully designated as “celebrations,” “appreciations,” or “recognitions.”
What’s the difference and how do any of these days become a thing? Here’s the rundown.
Federal holidays
Only Congress can designate federal holidays, which are established under the constitutionally prescribed voting process. These are sometimes referred to as “national holidays,” but there’s really nothing national about them.
Individual states have the power to ignore federal holidays, and they’ve been doing so since 1870, when Congress approved the nation’s first set of official holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In fact, states routinely opt out of holidays, and huge controversies have erupted over ones involving Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Columbus Day, and Juneteenth.
States can even designate their own official holidays. For instance, Massachusetts celebrates Patriots’ Day; Alaska celebrates Seward’s Day; Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras; Illinois and Missouri celebrate Malcolm X Day; California celebrates César Chávez Day; Rhode Island celebrates Victory Day; and several states celebrate Arbor Day (it’s when you plant trees).
Nevertheless, the first four federal holidays were designated simply to exempt federal employees from work on such days. And even that exception originally applied only to the 5,300 federal workers in Washington, D.C., and not the other 50,600 stationed across the country. Not very democratic, right? This changed by 1885, and, as various states joined the party, people naturally began to think of these as “national holidays.”
There are presently 12 legal federal holidays (see graphic). The fact that Congress has only approved a dozen over 247 years of our nation’s history — and just four in the past 100 years —speaks volumes about how difficult it is to get D.C. lawmakers, of any era, to agree on anything, even holidays. You could chalk that up to federal holidays costing taxpayers more than $800 million per day off at last estimate, but it mainly has to do with the politically charged reasons our elected officials propose holidays, which don’t often play well on the national stage. Thanksgiving, our nation’s first and most original holiday, drives this point home. Although the Pilgrims first celebrated it in 1621, it took another 249 years — during which time there were some very heated debates, particularly between 1789 to 1870 — before the holiday became official.
Patriotic and national observances, and recognition periods
Like federal holidays, congressional statutory observances — known commonly as “patriotic and national observances” — can only be created by enacting laws. However, they differ from federal holidays in that they don’t provide time off for federal employees.
Similarly, permanent recognitions periods (days, weeks or months) must be enacted by law. But temporary ones can be created after being introduced as resolutions by members of the Senate or House of Representatives.
The most widely celebrated of these days are Mother’s Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Flag Day, Patriot Day (9/11), Father’s Day, Parents’ Day, and National Grandparents Day.
Presidential proclamations
The U.S. Constitution does not specifically grant presidents the power to make proclamations — or, for that matter, executive orders. But that hasn’t prevented them from issuing loads of both.
Proclamations are mostly ceremonial orders that sometimes result in laws and that often include “commemoration” days, weeks, or months. George Washington’s first proclamation in 1789 honored Thanksgiving, and he repeated the act six years later. Lincoln also issued a Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863 — but none of these had the force of law. Recent examples range from George H.W. Bush’s serious proclamation to honor veterans of World War II to Ronald Reagan’s lighthearted and beloved National Ice Cream Month (July).
Presidents have also proclaimed holidays for the funerals of other presidents, most recently for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford. But proclamations have most prominently been used to establish national heritage months, including Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Irish American Heritage Month (March), Jewish American Heritage Month (May), LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June), Hispanic Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), and Native American Heritage Month (November), among others.
Celebrations, appreciations, commercially driven observances, and “hashtag” holidays
The growing list of what we now commonly refer to as holidays are more technically designated as “celebrations,” “appreciations,” or “awareness” periods. Examples of those that are not religious in origin or federally backed include Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), April Fools’ Day (April 1), Earth Day (April 22), Friendship Day (Aug. 7), Boss’ Day (first working day nearest Oct. 16), and Administrative Professionals’ Day (Wednesday of the last full week of April). The latter four of these originated in the U.S. and have become popular international observances.
Some popular holidays are purely commercially driven promotional opportunities that are sometimes referred to as “Hallmark holidays” or “shopping holidays.” Specific commercial examples include 7-Eleven Day (7/11) and American Express’ Small Business Saturday (Saturday after Thanksgiving). Broader-themed ones include Sweetest Day (third Saturday in October), Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving), Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving), and Giving Tuesday (Tuesday after Thanksgiving).
Some holidays are Hollywood creations that have captured the public’s imagination and are either celebrated ironically, as is the case with The O.C.’s “Chrismukkah” (Dec. 10) and Seinfeld’s “Festivus” (Dec. 23), or with explosive enthusiasm, such as Parks and Recreation’s “Galentine’s Day” (Feb. 13). The latter, a Valentine’s Day alternative for women to celebrate their female friendships, has become so popular that it already has its own customs and growing selection of merchandise and greeting cards.
“Friendsgiving,” which is a Thanksgiving meal celebrated among friends, is another example. Despite the popular myth, the compound word was never used in any of the memorable Thanksgiving episodes of Friends. It has been traced to a minor 2007 internet post but went mainstream in 2011 after it was used in a Bailey’s Irish Cream campaign and an episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Then there are what’s termed “hashtag holidays” — thousands of them, in fact, that are mostly internet driven and sustained annually using social media hashtags. There’s literally something for everyone, appealing to all manner of passions and interests. A good deal of the well-recognized ones are known collectively as “geek days,” the growing list of which includes Pi Day (3/14), Star Wars Day (May 4, as in “May the fourth be with you”) and the accompanying next day “Revenge of the Fifth” (May 5, which is also Cinco de Mayo), Hobbit Day (Sept. 22), Star Trek Federation Day (Aug. 12), Batman Day (Sept. 16), and Fibonacci Day (11/23).
Not to be outdone by the intelligentsia, foodies have established a veritable smorgasbord of holidays dedicated to specific foods and their ethnic origins, beverages, diets, and even cooking traditions. Some of the most popular ones are National Wine Day (May 25), National Cheese Day (June 4), and National Chocolate Day (Oct. 28).
Are there any holidays we no longer celebrate?
Whether religious or secular in nature, holidays come and go, and that’s true even for a nation as young as the United States. Many holidays that were celebrated in pre-colonial and colonial America were long forgotten by Lincoln’s time. That’s because Puritan religious holidays were intended as subdued days of solemn prayer, and the few remaining secular ones centered squarely on work.
The infamous Maypole
That was intentional. Life was extremely difficult back then, in part due to the harsh winters, and a day off could very well threaten survival. Even Christmas and Easter were originally eschewed as potential distractions that could also invite ostentatiousness and encourage public drunkenness.
Instead, New Englanders eagerly celebrated harvest days, such as Sheep Shearing Day, Corn Husking Day, Maple Syrup Making Day, and Apple Peeling Day. One big holiday was Forefathers Day (Dec. 22), which honored those who risked their lives to travel to the New World on the Mayflower.
Virginia colonists especially enjoyed May Day (May 1), a spring celebration of nature’s rebirth that involved erecting a tall pole, “the Maypole,” which colonists decorated with flowers and danced around. Not to be forgotten was the three-day Christian celebration of All Hallows’ Eve (Oct. 31) — Halloween by the 19th century — through All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2).
Another well-celebrated holiday was Candlemas Day (Feb. 2), which involved a feast and the lighting of holy candles in prayer. But it became far more popular later on as the secular Groundhog Day thanks to English and German immigrants who began using the day to push a bit of folklore about the rodent’s weather-forecasting abilities.
National Day Calendar: the internet’s holiday gatekeeper
Keeping track of these special days, weeks, and months, and establishing thousands more, is largely the responsibility of the National Day Calendar, the popular website that is a kind of self-appointed arbiter of fun days.
For decades, that duty had been the sole province of Chase’s Calendar of Events, the stately chronicler of more than 10,500 special occasions whose annual reference volume remains a staple of newsrooms everywhere. But beginning around 2017, just four years after the National Day Calendar was established, the team brought holiday making into the digital age, taking full advantage of the world wide web and social media to push the company’s cheerful mission (and motto) to “Celebrate Every Day.”
“We spread positivity around the world and take pride in the fact we put smiles on people’s faces every day,” says company CEO Amy Monette. That’s not just a marketing ploy. She and her small team of “event makers” are practically giddy about putting new celebrations on the calendar — roughly 1,700 “National Days” on the calendar and close to 3,500 overall days, weeks, and months, which are designated “National Days.”
Anyone can propose a holiday at the National Day Calendar. In fact, the staff receives thousands of proposals each month, and it’s committed to reviewing and responding to every one. Competition is extremely stiff. Only about 30 to 35 holidays are approved each year — up from 25 a few years ago — and that only happens by way of a unanimous vote from a four-member committee.
“What we consider a ‘good’ submission varies and depends on the topic,” Monette says. “There are fun topics, serious topics, informative topics, iconic topics, and so forth. However, I think all of us subconsciously think about whether something is unique, will trend well on social media, and has an important message.”
Why not celebrate National Coffee Day and National Cookie Day (which is Dec. 4, by the way) at the same time?
Politics is a definite no-no, as is “anything that could be considered offensive or harmful if celebrated,” Monette explains. Brand-specific days, such as National Starbucks Day, are non-starters; National Coffee Day (Sept. 29), however, not only gives coffee lovers an extra reason to imbibe and get together but also provides coffee sellers with an annual promotional opportunity. You’re certainly welcome to propose a celebration day to honor your amazing brother or sister, but it wouldn’t fly — National Siblings Day (April 10) already serves that purpose.
So, which days are Monette’s favorites? The chief celebrations officer confesses to being particularly fond of National Sangria Day (Dec. 20) and National Pizza Day (Feb. 9), the latter of which she considers a “food group.” But her secret passion seems to be National Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19), which improbably captured the public’s imagination ever since its launch in 1995. “I wanted to be a pirate and hunt for treasures when I was a kid,” Monette says, laughing. “Talk Like a Pirate Day makes me giggle and reminds me of how lucky I am not to have chosen that career path.”
Friendsgiving has become a widely recognized holiday over the past 10 years, particularly among the younger generation. Whether you’re trying to avoid the awkward family conversations at Thanksgiving or are unable to travel home for the holiday, Friendsgiving offers a warm embrace, with traditional and new holiday food and fun times with friends and “chosen” family.
It’s also a great kick-off to the holiday season, says Alexandra Shytsman, who wrote the book “Friendsgiving: Celebrate Your Family of Friends” and has hosted Friendsgiving festivities at her home in New York for 12 years.
What is Friendsgiving?
The first mention of “Friendsgiving” dates back to a tweet from 2007, but many credit the hit show “Friends” for the holiday’s origin. The holiday’s name, which had previously appeared on Merriam-Webster’s “Words We’re Watching” list, was bumped up to an official dictionary entry in January 2020.
“It’s become a pop culture thing in the last decade or so,” Shytsman says.
Approximately seven in 10 young Americans prefer Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving. This is due to a variety of reasons, not the least of which is being able to avoid fielding personal questions from family and not having to worry about offending a relative at the more traditional holiday gathering. Because the event is essentially a more casual version of Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is a good way to gather friends, colleagues, or neighbors who are unable to go back home to their family or are wary to travel.
“The concept of a chosen family is something that’s really taken off, especially among communities of young people,” Shytsman says. “People get so excited about getting together with [folks] they don’t see a lot; maybe they want to do something more special with their friends than just going to a bar or ordering takeout. It gives people a good way to organize a holiday gathering.”
When to celebrate Friendsgiving
Although the weekend before Thanksgiving is a popular time to hold the event, some throw their festivities earlier or even later.
“I’ve been to Friendsgivings that are just in November, even if it’s after Thanksgiving or in the first part of the month,” Shytsman says. “It’s always a good idea [to plan ahead] because people travel and holiday calendars fill up quickly.”
The size of a Friendsgiving event is similar to that of Thanksgiving — as big or small as you want (the more the merrier, though, right?) — but the timing of the actual meal tends to be later, with some hosts opting to start serving in the evening at, say, 8 or 9 o’clock. A Friendsgiving brunch is also popular.
Organize the menu
Hosts can make the entire meal, but guests often contribute dishes at a Friendsgiving. One survey found 44% of invitees planned to bring a dish to a potluck-style Friendsgiving fête.
If you’re splitting the cooking responsibilities, coordinate the menu online, Shytsman suggests. “You can start a Google Sheet and send it to your friends,” she says. Encourage everyone to add the dish they’re bringing so you don’t end up with three Brussels sprout dishes and zero potatoes. The ability to see what everyone else is bringing may inspire others to think outside the box with their dish.
What food to make for Friendsgiving
“You’re more likely to have things like dips and crudité — appetizer-style eating,” she says. “If it’s a potluck situation, people who aren’t necessarily cooks might pick up something on the way, [like] a store-bought pie or maybe an order of their favorite buffalo wings from the bar down the street. It’s a little bit more of a hodgepodge of items, as opposed to having a set menu.
In addition to homemade entrees and desserts, Friendsgiving celebrations can include prepared foods. If you do go that route, make sure to serve any premade meals in a nicer dish than the one it arrives in. Also, go the extra mile by adding garnish to the dish to give it some fresh notes and pretty details.
Even though Friendsgiving is a separate event, a lot of millennials — 44% of Americans age 18 to 38, to be exact — say they still expect traditional Thanksgiving fare to be served. Approximately 45% of young revelers want to see mashed potatoes on the table, and 39% would like to dive into some sweet potatoes. Turkeyis the most desired Friendsgiving dish; however, more than half (53%) of people surveyed said they feel it’s also the most intimidating item to make, so don’t count on it being offered at every event.
Regardless of what you serve, instead of a more formal sit-down dinner, Shytsman says, food at a Friendsgiving gathering is typically served buffet-style on kitchen countertops or a coffee table.
Combining old and new traditions
Despite Friendsgiving being a relatively new holiday, many of its celebrants are interested in making parts of it a regular occurrence, with 77% of respondents saying they want to create new traditions that involve the event.
Giving thanks is one practice that can carry over from Thanksgiving to a friend-focused event.
“In my group, that’s something we always do,” Shytsman says. “People make toasts and talk about what they’re grateful for. I’ve also seen postcard-sized cards you can buy. Each person writes down what they’re grateful for, and it can be a cute memento people take home with them after the party.” Create a Friendsgiving-specific version by guessing what everyone is grateful for this year, and see who gets the most correct.
While watching football on TV is a standard pre- and post-meal activity on Thanksgiving, 58% of Americans say they enjoy Friendsgiving more than turkey day because it is a more social event. Keep the energy going at your celebration with new traditions, such as voting on the best dish of the night and awarding the chef a trophy (perhaps that final slice — or bar — of pecan pie).
“It’s great to think, ‘What can we do to keep the energy going?’ and have something planned,” Shytsman says. “Something like charades is always really fun and a good vintage way to engage people, as is any kind of card game.” If charades or card games are not your idea of a fun time, have friends bring over their favorite board game and try something new.
Shytsman has also hosted Friendsgivings that featured a theme, something, she says, you probably wouldn’t do with your family on Thanksgiving.
“There’s a little bit more room to improvise with the menu and just the whole structure of the event,” she says. “You can choose a certain decade [and] do an ’80s Friendsgiving. I’ve done a “Mad Men”-themed Friendsgiving. We all dressed up in that ’60s vibe; it was really fun.”
How to decorate for Friendsgiving
Without a plated table, the seating arrangements at Friendsgiving can be more casual, particularly if the host doesn’t have a formal dining room.
“You can definitely get creative about it,” Shytsman says. “Ask if one of your friends has a folding table, or pick one up. You can also ask people to bring their own folding chairs or pick up some floor poofs or pillows people can sit on.”
Lighting, such as candles or string lights, can also deliver ample ambiance.
Pick up a few mini pumpkins at your local farmers market and scatter them around, or decorate with seasonal or dried flowers. “It doesn’t have to be super fancy,” Shytsman says.
Décor, dishes, and other personal touches can add some panache to even the most casual Friendsgiving. Even without those extra elements, though, the main focus is gathering with the people you care about.
Thanksgiving is a day when we gather with relatives we may not see very often. The holiday — which many people stretch out over several days instead of just the fourth Thursday in November — offers a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to engage with grandchildren and adult siblings to strengthen their connections, and form new ones.
But managing the inherent stresses of the season and the details that come with traveling to someone else’s home, or hosting a large meal at your own, can cloud the true significance of the occasion. The solution? Planning group activities that prompt meaningful conversation and laughter.
“Getting together with family over the holidays can be a way to step out of the busy-ness of everyday life and reconnect with people who know us best,” says therapist David Smith, LCSW, owner of Thriving Family Therapy. “It can be a chance to get and give advice and support, release stress, and build a reservoir of strength and courage to carry us through the months that follow.”
If you’re looking for new ways to bring the family together this Thanksgiving, here is a list of 10 activities to consider.
1. Share love and gratitude with friends and neighbors
You may have heard of May Day flower gifting. Why not extend this sweet custom to Thanksgiving? Combine a healthy family walk with thoughtfulness by secretly delivering a festive fall flower bouquet to a neighbor’s doorstep. (Bonus points if it’s a neighbor you know is spending the holiday alone this year.) We love these bright mums and the fun containers they come in. If you want to spread even more love, visit a bunch of nearby houses, dropping a single bloom off at each.
2. Make gratitude cookies
Many families take the time to share what they are thankful for on this special day. This year, try putting your thoughts into writing — icing writing, that is. A cookie decorating kit has everything you need for this Thanksgiving activity. When considering what to put on your cookies, try going beyond things like “Hope” and “Peace” and offer up more personal ideas, such as “New job” or “My kitten,” or even “Coffee” and “Naps.”
3. Volunteer together
A fantastic way to bond as a family is by serving others. Look for opportunities to volunteer as a group at your local soup kitchen or animal shelter. You can also check with meal delivery organizations for shut-ins, such as Meals on Wheels, and offer your help to give regular volunteers a break on Thanksgiving.
4. Participate in a turkey trot
These typically short, fun races often raise money for local charities and are designed for family participation. To make things more fun, order personalized team T-shirts or sweatshirts to wear during the event.
Spending meaningful time with [family members] can help put the major events of our lives into perspective and provide continuity.
david smith, LCSW
Owner, Thriving Family Therapy
5. Hold a scavenger hunt
Divide into groups for a friendly competition. In addition to giving out a list of easy things to gather — like acorns or red leaves — ask for photographic proof of things like Halloween decorations that are still up or friendly dogs or crazy squirrels. The sillier the photos, the better!
6. Find and paint rocks
Here’s a two-stepped Thanksgiving activity that requires movement and creativity. Before the meal, send some younger family members out on a rock-hunting expedition. Smooth and flat rocks are good choices, but also gather unusual shapes. Rinse the rocks and allow them to dry while everyone’s eating dinner. Afterward, use craft acrylic paint to create colorful masterpieces. Try turning them into animals or flowers, or painting inspirational messages on the surfaces. The finished rocks make great souvenirs of the day. You might even let folks take them home in a special Thanksgiving bag.
7. Craft your family tree
Here’s a fun idea that will get the different generations talking, and it couldn’t be easier. Draw a large tree trunk with empty branches on newsprint or a paper tablecloth. Then, use different finger paint colors to place everyone’s handprint to serve as tree leaves and additional branches. After the paint dries, you can add names and dates, and decorate this beautiful family tree as you wish.
8. Thank each other
Even though we may be spending time with people we see infrequently, we can still take each other for granted. Here’s a way to tell someone exactly what you appreciate about them. Put everyone’s name in a basket for a random drawing. Then, write a thank you card to the person whose name you draw. The idea is to share specific things you admire about them. You can read the finished notes aloud to the group or share them privately, whichever you prefer.
9. Play the Ungame
This unique card game offers “thought-provoking, open-ended questions that really help you to understand each other better,” according to Smith. “We tend to have a set of assumptions about each other, but this game helps us get a better sense of how they (your family members) see the world.” Another good game for getting better acquainted with friends and family is “Do I Know You?”
10. Take a nighttime walk
Many families try to include a walk in their Thanksgiving schedule. This helps the kids let out some energy, and it can help you digest the big meal.
Taking a walk in the dark is an entirely different experience. Encourage everyone to listen to nocturnal sounds, note the phase of the moon, identify any visible stars, and just breathe in the night air. For some added fun, bring along some wintergreen-flavored candy mints. When you chew them, you may be able to see some cool sparks due to triboluminescence, the scientific name for making light with friction.
Sharing a meal or watching a football game with loved ones is fine, but Smith says to truly strengthen connections, you must be intentional about creating opportunities for meaningful interaction.
“Family members provide much of the context, history, and memories that most deeply define who we are,” Smith says. “Spending meaningful time with them can help put the major events of our lives into perspective and provide continuity.
“In these stressful times, it’s easy to become disconnected and feel isolated,” he continues. “Those moments of sharing and support are essential to keep us healthy.”
A juicy and flavorful turkey. Countless sides. Endless sweet and savory pies. A full day and night of football. Spending the day with the people you love.
Thanksgiving is America’s favorite holiday, with a whopping 79% popularity rating. So, it’s no wonder you’re asking the question: When is Thanksgiving this year? If you’re like us, you just can’t wait for the day to arrive!
But before you begin looking up recipes, basting any birds, or making other seasonal preparations, check out our extensive handbook for the holiday, which answers your most pressing Thanksgiving-related questions.
When was the first Thanksgiving?
Based on a letter from a Plymouth, Massachusetts, colonist that mentions the Pilgrims celebrating their first robust corn and barley harvest, November 1621 is thought to be the holiday’s official start.
The first Thanksgiving? Not quite.
A few more fun facts about Thanksgiving:
While debate exists over whether the event involved a meal to acknowledge thankfulness, if the participants did, in fact, dine together, they could have had turkey; the colonist’s letter mentions hunting fowl.
During this time period, large feasts often included wild game. This was a popular autumnal dish in the Pilgrims’ homeland of England that was frequently served stuffed, according to author and food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson, who runs the website The Food Historian. The British also traditionally paired game meats with sour fruit sauce and jelly garnishes, which means cranberries could have been served alongside the bird.
Although pumpkin pie likely wasn’t served at the 1621 event, pumpkin made its way into a number of dishes during the time period, including cornbread, soups, and desserts, such as custards and pies. This is due in part to the fact that pumpkins grew well in New England and could be kept for a long time in storage, Wassberg Johnson says.
Live exotic animals, such as tigers, bears, and elephants, were featured in the first three Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades between 1924 and 1926. The event’s iconic large balloons didn’t debut until 1927, when a nearly two-story-high Felix the Cat floated above the parade route on Thanksgiving Day.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?
President George Washington issued a public decree in 1789 for a day of thanksgiving, and in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November would be a national day of Thanksgiving.
We have the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to thank for the holiday’s current calendar spot. In 1941, as the U.S. recovered from the Great Depression, the last Thursday of November fell on the final day of the month, Nov. 30. To elongate the Christmas shopping season, Roosevelt established the official Thanksgiving holiday date as the fourth Thursday in November.
Is Thanksgiving celebrated in other countries?
Nine other countries celebrate some form of Thanksgiving. Of those, three have events that are similar to the U.S. holiday.
Some features of Canada’s Thanksgiving and America’s are alike. Both, for instance, involve turkey. The Great White North’s celebration, though, is older, reportedly dating back to 1578. Its annual date also differs, taking place on the second Monday in October.
Liberia, a West African nation established by former slaves who came from America in 1847, celebrates Thanksgiving also in November but on the first Thursday of the month. The holiday is similar to the American version, with celebrations ranging from a lavish meal to simply taking the day off work.
Locals in Norfolk Island, a sparsely populated Australian territory in between Australia and New Zealand, reportedly picked up the Thanksgiving tradition after a U.S. trader held a holiday celebration at a church when visiting in the late 1800s. Islanders now serve a mix of dishes that include pork, chicken, and bananas on the last Wednesday of November. As in the U.S., residents finish their meal with pumpkin pie.
What is Friendsgiving?
Hosting a pre-holiday dinner for friends, often the weekend before Thanksgiving, is a new tradition called Friendsgiving. This unofficial holiday has seen its popularity rise in recent years, especially among millennials and other young adults.
Often involving a more casual meal than the one served on the actual holiday, Friendsgiving has no hard-and-fast rules. Whether you invite people over for light bites or a full meal, setting out an elegant — yet simple to assemble — charcuterie board, paired with several wines that are offered in a self-serve or tasting format, can be a festive start.
What day is Thanksgiving this year?
In 2024, Thanksgiving will be Thursday, Nov. 28. Next year, the holiday will be on Nov. 27, and in 2026, Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Nov. 26.
What are some traditional activities to do on Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a day steeped in tradition. Participating in an organized road race in the morning (often called a “turkey trot”), watching parades and football, and going out in the community to help others are just a few of the activities we typically do on this day.
Other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving are by making crafts and DIY decor. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Event planner Annemarie Schumacher, principal and owner of PR and event services company Schumacher Creative, who also blogs about home entertaining, recommends inviting guests at least one month beforehand to allow time to confirm how many will be attending.
“Based on the number of people you are hosting, pull together your menu and shopping list at least two weeks prior to turkey day,” Schumacher says. “This will help you avoid any last-minute omissions.”
At least a week before the event, check to make sure you have the necessary number of plates, chairs, utensils, and other items, she advises. If you are short, consider looking into leasing what you need.
“Utilizing rentals can be an essential but frequently overlooked part of Thanksgiving planning,” Schumacher says. “You can also rent linens, such as tablecloths and napkins, [and] silverware and glassware. It’s a great option that typically isn’t a huge investment and can be well worth the price.”
What are some popular Thanksgiving dishes?
Food is an essential part of Thanksgiving. The meal we sit down to on the fourth Thursday of November is one of the most beloved — and highly anticipated — of the year.
Traditional Thanksgiving foods include:
Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Cranberry sauce
Green bean casserole
Stuffing
Gravy
Rolls
But it doesn’t end there. After the meal, get ready for the dessert course, which typically consists of a variety of pies, cakes, and pastries, including:
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
Apple pie
Sweet potato pie
Cheesecake
Cookies
Brownies
Above all, though, the purpose of Thanksgiving is right there in the name — to give thanks. And to help get you in that spirit, here are 79 quotes about gratitude.
All you moms out there, listen up: We know that when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving, it’s easy for you to bite off more than you can chew. (No pun intended.) But, with a little attention to simplifying tasks and organization — from a turkey that needs hours of attention to a beautifully set table — you can make the day more enjoyable for yourself.
Moms can have a mixed relationship with the holiday. There’s the anticipation of how many guests will show. Do they prepare the entire meal, get premade items, or ask attendees to bring something? Will they be in total host mode that prevents them from enjoying the holiday? Will they have have enough food? How much will everything cost? And will they have enough leftovers to make their favorite turkey chili the following day?
If thinking about all this is stressing you out, chill. Our ultimate Thanksgiving checklist has 10 simple hosting tips that will help any mom feel like a guest at her own celebration.
1. Smart planning
Your smartphone calendar is all you need to be organized. Sketch out an idea of the hosting responsibilities and set the dates to complete them. Include everything from what to serve, the days to shop for food, and table setting needs.
Find uninterrupted time, like a Saturday afternoon over a workday, to review your tabletop inventory. Organize what will be used for the gathering and group items together, such as a set of linen napkins and napkin holders. During your routine market trips weeks before the holiday, pick up basic Thanksgiving needs, such as salad dressing and butter that have an extended expiration date so you won’t have an epic shopping trip close to the holiday. This also simplifies unloading and storing the food in what’s sure to be a jammed refrigerator and pantry.
2. Secure the guest list
Firm up the number of guests as quickly as possible. Think of the event as a regular family dinner with added holiday treatment, food, and seating. Also, make a list of what is needed for the entire guest list and if you have enough for your desired amount of leftovers. As the date draws closer, refrain from adding more people to the guest list unless there is enough food and space to accommodate them.
3. Contact guests for personal requests
Don’t be surprised by last-minute food requests on the day of Thanksgiving. Once you have your guest list confirmed, contact everyone before the event for any specific requests, which will eliminate last-minute scrambling for alternative meals. It’s always a good idea to have fruit and crudité options that meet most dietary needs.
4. Create the menu and plan deliveries
A few weeks before the occasion, review your food supply and draft a shopping list of what is needed. When creating the menu, find shortcuts like pre-made rolls, nuts, fine cheeses, and desserts. Another option? It doesn’t get any easier than having beautiful meals delivered. Arranging your flower delivery three to four weeks in advance is another important to-do, says Renato Sogueco, vice president of digital strategy and education at BloomNet.
“This will guarantee a premium selection by giving the florist time to confirm availability with the supplier (even grower), the first choice in anything available,” he says. “It also optimizes pricing, as well as allows for time to comparison shop with other florists.”
5. Avoid shopping at the last minute
With your guest list secured, reserve a time to buy everything that’s needed, including the food, candles, cleaning products, and beverages. Keep a budget in mind so you don’t overspend on non-essentials, such as fancy seeded crackers no one likes. Cross out another step by selecting online meals that are sent to your home.
Pro tip: The Monday before Thanksgiving is a good time to purchase the turkey and shop for fresh foods. Anyone who has ventured into a supermarket the day before the holiday understands that it’s sensible to avoid the shopping pandemonium associated with crowds. Monday also leaves enough time to defrost a frozen turkey.
6. Delegate
Martyrs are for fantasy novels. When it comes to hosting for the holidays, taking on all the challenging tasks is a setup for a cranky host. From asking guests to bring their favorite side, setting the table, and cleanup duty, outline tasks that can be farmed out so you can focus on your favorite parts of the celebration.
Pro tip: Set the table the night before to remove a step on Thanksgiving day.
7. Dust off the formal china and silver
Make polishing the silver part of your checklist and take care of it the weekend before Thanksgiving. Also, review your table setting favorites that will make an appearance on the holiday table. Forego any important pieces if your guest list has younger members this year, and simply dress up your everyday tableware with added accents like flowers and favors guests can take home. Not only will the table be eye-catching, but it will also give you an updated look.
8. Add trending touches
Using the same tablescape each year is predictable and lacks the wow factor. We are no longer in Thanksgivings past, where the ceramic turkey centerpiece is pulled out annually for its one-day-of-the-year viewing. Instead, decorate the table with current inspirations and a one-of-a-kind flower arrangement. Even holiday candy displayed on a pedestal plate or in vintage teacups can be part of the table’s decor.
9. Modern traditions
There are certain must-haves to the Thanksgiving meal. Can you imagine what the reaction would be if you decided to serve a roasted chicken with french fries? However, having a favorite dish that may not fall into the traditional menu could be the hit of the meal. Start a new tradition where you include a trending fall food that will delight guests and guarantee to get a large serving on your dinner plate. Another option is adding a delicious dessert along with the pie staples that are certain to be devoured.
10. Cleanup
Before serving the meal, arrange a large, lined trash receptacle in a visible yet out-of-the-way area so guests can discard their scraps. Fill the sink with warm soapy water so everyone can easily attend to their dishes. Keep cute dish towels on hand to add holiday flair, even during cleanup. The pre-meal cleaning task may sound odd but the objective is deliberate by alleviating the host of an added step after the dinner. Guests will also feel useful by helping with minimal effort.
The meal
Putting together a Thanksgiving feast is all about the planning. Stay organized and keep track of the foods and accessories you need with our ultimate Thanksgiving meal checklist.
Start with delicious appetizers
From tasty bites to creamy dips, there’s nothing like fresh Thanksgiving appetizers to start the celebration.
Whether you’re enjoying a refreshing glass of cider or fall-themed cocktail, fill up your cup — and those of everyone in attendance — with something good this Thanksgiving!
Bring fall-friendly décor into your home — and especially your dining room. From rich colors to warm autumn tones, highlight everything you love about the season.
It’s Labor Day, which means you should not spend hours prepping in the kitchen to create an amazing spread for friends and family. The last (“unofficial”) hurrah of the summer deserves celebration and, better yet, to be enjoyed fully with minimal effort in the cooking department and these easy dinner ideas will do just that.
The best way to approach this end-of-the-season get-together is to prepare some quick appetizers, a side dish or two, an easy entrée (the grill is your best friend), and a simple make-ahead or no-bake dessert, all served family style. You do minimal work a day or two ahead of time with these easy dinner ideas and then assemble quickly and serve, leaving more time to mingle with your guests.
Labor-free appetizers
For appetizers, Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites and Whipped Ricotta and Cherry Crostini are perfect, as they both use in-season ingredients. You can make the cream cheese mixture for the cucumber bites as well as toast the crostini ahead of time — leave the latter at room temperature until you whip the ricotta. Then, quickly assemble them close to the start of the party, and they are on the table for when your guests arrive.
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
Slice an English cucumber into rounds. Combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, salt to taste, and chopped fresh dill. Spoon a small amount onto each cucumber round and top with smoked salmon. Garnish with fresh dill.
Whipped Ricotta and Cherry Crostini
Toast slices of a baguette. Whip 16 ounces whole milk ricotta, 1 tablespoon of honey, a pinch of salt, and zest of one lemon in a food processor. Spread the whipped ricotta over toasted bread and top with cherry preserves, a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, and torn fresh mint leaves. Chop some sweet cherries and put those on top, too. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Labor-free side dish
For side dishes, I went with a very seasonal Tomato and Peach Burrata Salad with Basil Vinaigrette, and Sautéed Corn with Jalapeño, Lime, and Basil. Go ahead and make the vinaigrette up to three days in advance. The corn is amazing cold or at room temperature, so make this the day before and add the basil just before serving to ensure it stays vibrant and fresh.
Tomato Peach Burrata Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
For the vinaigrette, add 2 ½ cups loosely packed basil leaves, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, ½ cup olive oil, one clove garlic, a pinch of crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a drizzle of honey to a food processor. Blend until smooth. This can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated.
Slice grape tomatoes in half and slice peaches into wedges. Arrange on a platter and season with salt; then add burrata, basil vinaigrette, and fresh basil leaves.
Corn with Lime, Jalapeño, and Basil
Cut the kernels off eight ears of corn. Add olive oil to a sauté pan and add corn. Sauté 3 minutes, then add kosher salt, 1 tablespoon jalapeño jelly, zest and juice of one lime, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Sauté another 2 minutes. Stir in finely chopped basil if serving immediately, or reserve and add right before eating if making ahead. Can be served hot or cold.
Labor-free main course
I served these sides with peppercorn-rubbed ribeye steaks grilled to perfection and then sliced so guests can grab them easily, buffet style.
To prepare the meat, season liberally with a peppercorn steak spice on both sides and let it come to room temperature (30 minutes to 1 hour).
Grill on high (450-500° F) for 3 minutes on each side. Then, lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking to medium rare (until the internal temperature reads 135° F). Feel free cook to your desired doneness. Medium-rare is about 8 minutes of total cooking time, so allow for slightly longer if you prefer a more well-done steak.
Allow the steaks to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Labor-free dessert
Finish your labor-free Labor Day feast with make-ahead and no-bake Blueberry Lemon Trifles. Serve them in little jars to see all those pretty layers of lemon pound cake, mascarpone cream, lemon curd, blueberry preserves, and, of course, fresh juicy summer blueberries.
Blueberry Lemon Trifles
Slice lemon pound cake into ½-inch squares. In a small bowl, stir together 8 ounces softened mascarpone cream and ½ cup heavy cream until smooth. Layer the jars or small cups with squares of cake, cream, lemon curd, fresh blueberries, more cake, blueberry preserves, and more cream, and finish with fresh blueberries on top.
Round out these easy dinner ideas with some ice cold drinks, a festive playlist, and great company. Here’s to a very happy — and labor-free — Labor Day!
You might be thinking July is waaay too soon to be worrying about Christmas. And yet the holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, making us woefully unprepared, stressed out, and utterly tired of running around with a long to-do list and an even longer shopping list.
While it’s decidedly too early to be putting up your Christmas decorations and wrapping presents, there are a few things you can get checked off your list now to make this year’s holiday season preparations more enjoyable and manageable.
1. Take advantage of summer deals
With lots of retailers offering their Black Friday and Christmas in July sales, the summer has great deals on a variety of items, including electronics, clothing and apparel, jewelry, tools, and vacation packages. It’s also a good time for purchasing home décor, including holiday decorations, as many shops and online retailers are starting to plan for their Christmas season and want to downsize their stock of last year’s items.
One smart move is to time your holiday shopping spree with one of the tax-free weekends taking place in July and August in more than a dozen states. (Another? Sign up for the Celebrations Passport to get free shipping on all your orders from the 1-800-Flowers.com Family of Brands.)
2. Get a head start on holiday DIY projects
If you like to make your own holiday gifts or decorations, now is the perfect time to start working on them. Gather your materials, ideas, and plans, figure out what you can make ahead of time and what materials you need to complete the projects, and get started.
The thing about DIY projects is that they tend to take more time then you initially planned, and that’s especially true around the holidays, when you have so many other to-do items on your list. Getting at least some of them done early will not only give you a head start on the holiday season but will make the projects more enjoyable.
Santa already has his Christmas list. Do you? Starting your holiday shopping list in advance will ensure you don’t forget someone — and that you budget accordingly.
Start with your family and close friends, neighbors, work friends, important clients, teachers, coaches, babysitters, hosts and hostesses, and anyone else you typically buy for.
Don’t forget your kids’ bus driver or car pool drivers, mailman and trash collectors, hairdresser, dog walker, doctor, nurse or caregiver, priest or pastor, church group, carolers, and anyone else you regularly see and want to honor or thank this holiday.
Once you have your list and budget, add a couple of extra gifts (or gift cards) just in case you forgot someone.
While it might be too early to purchase your Christmas cards, this is the perfect time to start planning them, especially if you want your cards to feature a family photo.
Decide on a theme for your photo and get it taken now while the weather is nice and you can get great pictures outside. If you’d rather have a fall or winter backdrop in your photos, book your photography session now before the spots fill up. Figure out what your family will wear, the type of photo you want, and other important details.
Whether you’re hosting this year or just bringing a dish along, now is the perfect time to research and try out new holiday recipes. Doing this so far ahead of the holiday season will help you not only find the best recipes but give you enough time to perfect them.
Additionally, you can get a good idea of how much time each recipe will take to make, where you’ll need to go to get all the ingredients, and, most important, if your family actually likes it.
6. Make travel arrangements early
The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for travel, so it makes sense to plan as far ahead as possible.
With so many people being on the move, reservations can dry up quickly, so the earlier you can book, the better. Doing so will allow you to not only get a better price but is a great way to budget the travel costs ahead of all the usual holiday expenses (gifts, decorations, etc.).
7. Start a new family Christmas tradition
The holidays can get a bit hectic, with so much to do, so many places to visit, and so many people to see. That’s why it’s so important to make time for family.
Finding the right Christmas traditions for your family to enjoy year after year is essential. Whether it’s baking cookies together for a cookie exchange, making your own Christmas decorations, sending letters to Santa, having a Christmas movie marathon, hosting an ugly sweater party, going out to see the lighting of the Christmas tree, or caroling in your neighborhood, there are many great ways to spend quality family time during the holidays.
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, take a look at our list of fun Christmas traditions for kids or ask your friends and loved ones to share their favorite holiday traditions with you. Then decide on what would be fun for your family, plan it out, and put it on your calendar.
Egg hunts were part of life long before they were wrapped into the Easter holiday.
Ace Collins
Author of Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter
Whether you hide jelly beans in your living room, plastic eggs in your backyard, or dyed hard-boiled eggs in your local park, an Easter egg hunt is a fun way to celebrate both the Easter holiday and the arrival of spring. Even the White House gets into the act with a free online ticket lottery, allowing families across the country to participate in the annual event.
But how did the Easter egg hunt become a holiday tradition? We’ve decided to take a crack at opening the history of this colorful event and offer some ideas for hosting your own hunt this year.
How did Easter egg hunts get started?
Although Easter is a religious holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many of its customs have pagan roots.
“When people convert to a religion, their past goes with them,” explains Ace Collins, author of Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter. “The egg has been a symbol of life since the beginning of time, and egg hunts were part of life long before they were wrapped into the Easter holiday.”
Eggs are an important food source. Throughout the centuries parents have sent their children out to hunt for eggs, Collins further explains.
One theory for the Easter tie-in is that early Christians often gave up eating eggs for Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter. Many people would decorate their eggs to mark their fast and then bring them to church to be blessed by the priest as part of the Easter celebration. Over time, this tradition of decorating eggs became intertwined with the Easter holiday.
We can thank German immigrants for bringing the Easter egg hunt to America in the late 18th century. Germans who settled in Pennsylvania brought their tradition of the egg-laying hare (called the “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws”), and their children made nests and carried grass-lined baskets for their Easter eggs.
And where does the Easter Bunny fit in? Collins says that children often scared rabbits away from the meadows when hunting for eggs. As a result, some little ones believed the rabbits had left behind the eggs. “We would not have the Easter Bunny tradition without the Easter egg hunt,” Collins notes.
Today, although Easter remains a religious holiday, Easter egg hunts have become a way for children to have wholesome fun together. “Although we may now have plastic eggs and new ways to color and decorate eggs, the hunt itself has not changed through the years,” Collins says. “It still involves children trying to find as many eggs as they can.”
Tips for hosting an Easter egg hunt
The basics for staging an Easter egg hunt are easy. All you need are willing participants, baskets or other containers, eggs (hard-boiled, candy, or plastic), and an open space.
If you’re planning an outdoor event, make sure you have a backup location in mind in case the weather turns cold or soggy. Also, consider the ages and abilities of the children, placing eggs in places that are easy for the youngest participants to find and more challenging for older ones.
The rest is up to you. You can make things as creative and as competitive as you wish. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Include words of encouragement
Instead of filling all the plastic eggs with candy or money, switch it up by placing some secret messages inside. You can explore the true meaning of the holiday with Bible verses or include expressions of love and kindness. Or what about including a voucher for a movie night or lunch “date”?
2. Use personalized baskets
Surprise your children on Easter morning with personalized baskets. These attractive willow baskets come with folding handles, and you can have your child’s name embroidered on the removable liner.
3. Delight them with desserts
You are sure to see smiles when your kids or grandkids find yummy treats on their hunt. The Easter Sweets Gift Box comes with an assortment of goodies that you hide around the yard, including milk chocolate malt balls, malt ball mini eggs, and orange buttercream-frosted cookies in the shape of carrots.
4. Don’t forget the chocolate
Who says you can’t hide a few chocolate bunnies along with the eggs? Nobunny, that’s who! Your kids will love the look and taste of this adorable foursome of Easter bunnies.
5. Try a scavenger hunt
You can tuck clues inside each child’s basket that take them from one location to another and ultimately lead them to a prize. Or give each kid a checklist of the different colored eggs they need to find. Make sure there’s no confusion during the thrill of the hunt by affixing these personalized wooden tags to each basket.
6. Plan a pre-hunt activity
Looking for a way to get your participants in the Easter spirit before the search even begins? This Easter Cut-Out Cookie Decorating Kit includes everything you need to make two dozen buttercream-frosted cookies, decorated any way you like.
As the event host, you’ll need to count the eggs you hide so you’ll know when they’ve all been found. Of course, the child with the most eggs should be rewarded, but you can also offer prizes for things like diligence and patience. These Easter Gift Tin Ornaments are the perfect prizes. Each one includes a selection of cookies and snacks, and comes with a hang tag that allows you to personalize it.
