The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Guide
In this Thanksgiving Dinner Guide, we’ll help you plan and execute your own memorable Thanksgiving celebration by offering ideas for decorations, menus and activities that combine both traditional and modern elements.
Planning the perfect Thanksgiving dinner
Festive decoration and table design
Thanksgiving traditions
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Desserts
Thanksgiving Drinks
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Thanksgiving Supplements
Vegetarian Thanksgiving
26 Thanksgiving traditions – Celebrate together and be thankful
An overview of some of the most popular Thanksgiving traditions in America.
Turkey Dinner
Turkey is the main dish usually served at a Thanksgiving dinner.
Side dishes
A variety of side dishes are served with the turkey, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and various casseroles.
Thanksgiving Parades
Many cities in the U.S. hold Thanksgiving parades, the most famous of which is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Family Reunion
Thanksgiving is a time when families gather to eat together, spend time together, and be thankful.
Football
Many Americans spend Thanksgiving Day watching football games on television or hosting games themselves with family or friends.
Charity events
It is common for people to donate food to those in need or help serve Thanksgiving food at homeless shelters or charities on Thanksgiving.
Expressing gratitude
Many families have a tradition of reflecting together during Thanksgiving dinner on what they are thankful for and sharing that gratitude with each other.
Table decorations
Tables are often festively set with fall decorations such as pumpkins, candles and autumn leaves.
Pumpkin pie
One of the most popular desserts at a Thanksgiving dinner is pumpkin pie, which is often served alongside other desserts like pecan pie or apple pie.
Special Drinks
Families and friends sometimes enjoy special drinks such as cider, warm punch or other seasonal beverages during Thanksgiving dinner or after.
Regional specialties
In various parts of the U.S., local or regional foods are served as part of Thanksgiving dinner. Examples include crab cakes in Maryland or wild rice casserole in Minnesota.
Crafts and activities for children
Children often participate in seasonal craft projects, such as making paper turkeys, painting pumpkins, or creating Thanksgiving trees.
Travel
Many people take advantage of the extended Thanksgiving weekend to take short vacations or visit distant family members and friends.
Volunteer
Some people use Thanksgiving to volunteer in their community, such as at hospitals, nursing homes, or animal shelters.
Storytelling
Some families tell stories about the Pilgrims and Native Americans and their shared harvest in 1621, which is considered the inspiration for today’s Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgiving games
Some families play themed games, such as “Pin the Feather on the Turkey” or “Thanksgiving Trivia,” to liven up the festivities.
New traditions
Many families and friends use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to create new traditions based on their individual preferences and interests, such as playing music together or watching certain movies or television shows.
Photos
Families and friends often use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to take photos together and capture memories for the future.
Friendsgiving
Some friends celebrate “Friendsgiving” instead of or in addition to the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family. This involves spending time together and sharing a meal.
Turkey Wish Bones
Two family members or friends pull on the ends of a dried turkey wish bone (furcula) until it breaks. The person holding the larger piece gets to make a wish.
Running events
In many cities, so-called “Turkey Trots” or other running events take place on Thanksgiving morning, with participants running or jogging as a charity activity.
Fall Activities
Some families take advantage of the long Thanksgiving weekend to engage in outdoor activities together, such as hiking, apple picking or pumpkin picking.
Cooking and baking together
In many households, cooking and baking traditional dishes and desserts together is an important part of Thanksgiving celebrations.
Recipe and story sharing
Old family recipes and stories about past Thanksgiving celebrations and the meaning of the holiday are often shared within the family.
Sharing leftovers
It is common for families and friends to divide Thanksgiving dinner leftovers among themselves to enjoy in the days ahead.
Movie or game night
After the meal, families and friends often gather to watch movies or play board games together.
These traditions demonstrate the many different aspects that make up Thanksgiving in America. Each family and group of friends can maintain their own mix of traditions that reflect their personal values and preferences.
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a tradition that has its origins in the history of the first English settlers in North America. The holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and commemorates the first Thanksgiving, celebrated together in 1621 by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and the native Wampanoag Indians.The Pilgrims arrived from England on the Mayflower in 1620 and settled in what is now Massachusetts. They had difficulty adjusting to the new land and climate, and many of them died during the first winter. In the spring of 1621, the Wampanoag Indians helped them by teaching them how to successfully grow corn, catch fish, and kill game in their new environment. After a successful harvest in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag celebrated a feast together that is considered the first Thanksgiving.Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the United States over the centuries. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln officially declared the last Thursday in November a Thanksgiving holiday to unite the nation during the Civil War. Later, in 1941, the United States Congress passed a resolution establishing the fourth Thursday in November as the official Thanksgiving Day.Today, Thanksgiving is an important family holiday in the United States, when relatives and friends gather to enjoy a traditional feast together, give thanks for the good in their lives, and spend time together. Typical dishes include turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans and pumpkin pie.