Thanksgiving Poll

[Ken]

I think we all need a change of topic, right? The older I get, and the more our family scatters, the more Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. It's really the only American holiday that isn't explicitly religious, political, or associated in some way with war. It's the one holiday that people of all faiths and backgrounds celebrate equally.

The History of Thanksgiving is also not quite the kids story taught in school. It did not become an official holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving as a respite from the Civil War.

So a little poll and opportunity to comment on how you celebrate Thanksgiving in your home, or choose not to. What are your favorite foods and do you do anything different or unique? I do most of the cooking in my house and I'm always coming up with new ideas for Thanksgiving that universally get vetoed. The kids are happy to experiment with meals on any other day but Thanksgiving. But for Thanksgiving they want NOTHING but the classics.

And I understand you Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving on the *wrong* date. Do you have your own different Canadian traditions or is it more or less the classic American style holiday on a different date?

[Ken]

By the way, the strangest dish I have ever eaten on Thanksgiving was seal ribs. During most of the years I lived in Alaska I was single and would usually get invited to various big dinners held by others. One year at a big potluck Thanksgiving dinner at a co-workers house an Alaska Native family arrived with a big plate of grilled seal ribs. Marine mammals are illegal to hunt for anyone but Alaska natives so not something I ever tried before. Extremely pungent and fishy. I could only get down a bite or two.

[QuietlyListening]

My family has the same menu every year. Well, you have to have certain items, can add to it, but we are already overloaded so adding more seems crazy.
Turkey, stuffing, string beans w/almonds, creamed onions, cranberry sauce and relish, occasionally corn and mashed potatoes, rutabagas along with apple, pumpkin and chocolate pudding pie and real whipped cream. I've brought real mincemeat that I've made but not enough takers we save it for us and I make one for my BIL to take home.

[silentreader]

I think we all need a change of topic, right? The older I get, and the more our family scatters, the more Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. It's really the only American holiday that isn't explicitly religious, political, or associated in some way with war. It's the one holiday that people of all faiths and backgrounds celebrate equally.

The History of Thanksgiving is also not quite the kids story taught in school. It did not become an official holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving as a respite from the Civil War.

So a little poll and opportunity to comment on how you celebrate Thanksgiving in your home, or choose not to. What are your favorite foods and do you do anything different or unique? I do most of the cooking in my house and I'm always coming up with new ideas for Thanksgiving that universally get vetoed. The kids are happy to experiment with meals on any other day but Thanksgiving. But for Thanksgiving they want NOTHING but the classics.

And I understand you Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving on the *wrong* date. Do you have your own different Canadian traditions or is it more or less the classic American style holiday on a different date?

Theoretically Canadian Thanksgiving has its roots in about 1575-1580 when Martin Frobisher celebrated a safe land fall. The holiday did not become official till about 300 years later. I'm not sure that our practice is much different except on a much smaller scale.

[Ken]

Just curious. Are there any religious-based objections to Thanksgiving in any corners of the plain community? I honestly don't know. Is it something that the Amish and other ultraconservative plain groups do?

[barnhart]

Never had seal ribs, but I have eaten a little whale blubber. A little was plenty.

[silentreader]

Just curious. Are there any religious-based objections to Thanksgiving in any corners of the plain community? I honestly don't know. Is it something that the Amish and other ultraconservative plain groups do?

Don't know about Amish, the Old Order Mennonites (horse and buggy) here in Ontario have their own 'erntefest' in late August or early September, church in the morning and work or holiday the rest of the day depending on agenda.
The black car OO version has church Thanksgiving morning and then work or holiday in the afternoon.
There is generally not a huge Thanksgiving meal.

[temporal1]

U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and, general giving of thanks, thanksgiving, are welcome topics on this forum. Lots of references. Several existing threads: (no order)

KingdomBuilder / Thanksgiving
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ving#p1443

Robert / US Thanksgiving
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p22908

steve / Poll: Favorite holiday
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p45540

Wade / Invitation to Thanksgiving Supper (Canada)
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p69053

Hats Off / Thanksgiving Meals
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p69972

ragpicker / Tina’s Turkey Recipe
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p72942

boot / What are you thankful for?
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... anksgiving

RZehr / Supreme Court, wonderful religious school ruling
http://forum.mennonet.com/viewtopic.php ... ing#p94722
(lots of thanksgiving in this one.) ^^

“Campground ramblings” has many references, too. Christmas topics often reference Thanksgiving.

[Somebody]

This year we are having turkey for Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes, Sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, cranberry salad, & pie & ice cream. Oh yes, also homemade rolls & jelly.

We started a tradition of each person cooking / preparing one dish for the meal.

[Valerie]

Just curious. Are there any religious-based objections to Thanksgiving in any corners of the plain community? I honestly don't know. Is it something that the Amish and other ultraconservative plain groups do?

All of yhe Amish i know of (including formers), celebrate Thanksgiving. I don't know how widespread the practice to fast before Thanksgiving meal is, among various orders, but i know some shared about their fasting all day until the meal. Since its a day to Thank the Good Lord, its easy yo see why they would participate, & not protest, the day to honor God & give Him thanks- I've not heard of any Amish abstaining from the holiday. It is a holiday, in Amish businesses. Of course no Christian believes 1 day of the year is to have an attitude of thankfulness, it is our way of life