Thanksgiving and Fall traditions

[Agata]

Hi All,

As an emigrant, I did not grew up with celebrating Thanksgiving. I did, however, adopted it quickly. I love the idea of a whole holiday dedicated to being grateful! I learned some traditions from various friends and made them my own, but I am sure there are million others that I don't know about. I love learning about different ways people do things, so please share
As we have such an international group here, I am sure there are some other ways you celebrate fall, or spring (even unofficially, it doesn't have to be a holiday!). St. Martin's Day comes to mind, but I don't know if it's truly observed anymore.

In other words, what are ways you - individually, or your family - celebrate this time of the year?

 

[vickyday]

We focus on thanking God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us throughout the year. And the food and gathering with the family is a big part of that, too! Usually turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and don't forget the pumpkin pie!

 

[AK_Tracy]

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful day for me and the memories of HUGE family gatherings and then when I married, I took over that tradition of hosting the family. We would have 20+ family and friends. It was wonderful and a full day of fun. The past couple years its dwindled down to 13 people but we always cook 2 turkeys and all the trimmings. 10 pies cause you cant have too many. I love cooking so I tell my family, stay out of the kitchen, I got this. I have music playing, ovens going, pots simmering, potato peels flying. As long as someone else does the dishes, I cook. Its wonderful. We have an open plan house so I still get the conversation and laughter, they're just not allowed to cross the line into the kitchen. We eat at noon. Games at 3, snacks after that. Friday is all about NOT shopping, we go get coffee then head to the frozen beaches and take photos, come home, bundle up then go to the fireworks display. Then we come home and eat and play xbox bowling while laughing. Its a wonderful weekend.

 

[LSlycord]

Oh I love Thanksgiving! We have celebrated Thanksgiving as a big family group for 55+ years. The last 6 years, we have been in Florida but my kids would insist that we have our traditional meal for just the 4 of us. This year is our first year back but we will be missing my sweet sister-in-law. However, there will be about 23 of us and one of my niece's is hosting. Everyone is bringing something...I used to make everything but we are splitting the responsibilities this year.

We will focus on being together and being grateful for that. We will also enjoy the kids...6 of them, 5 and under.

The past couple years its dwindled down to 13 people but we always cook 2 turkeys and all the trimmings. 10 pies cause you cant have too many.

Ok, Tracy. I've got to know. What kinds of pies do you make? I usually do a chocolate pecan, a pumpkin and, depending on who is coming, perhaps a sweet potato.

 

[bcgal00]

The family doesn't celebrate much for thanksgiving but at this time of year I think about all my blessings and am thankful for all the positive things in our lives. A personal fall tradition for me is to get Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes and I always buy a new mug.

 

[AK_Tracy]

Oh I love Thanksgiving! We have celebrated Thanksgiving as a big family group for 55+ years. The last 6 years, we have been in Florida but my kids would insist that we have our traditional meal for just the 4 of us. This year is our first year back but we will be missing my sweet sister-in-law. However, there will be about 23 of us and one of my niece's is hosting. Everyone is bringing something...I used to make everything but we are splitting the responsibilities this year.

We will focus on being together and being grateful for that. We will also enjoy the kids...6 of them, 5 and under.


Ok, Tracy. I've got to know. What kinds of pies do you make? I usually do a chocolate pecan, a pumpkin and, depending on who is coming, perhaps a sweet potato.

I'm crazy, so just know that. I detest pumpkin but what do you do when the family loves it? I make six pumpkin crap pies and 2 apple and 2 cherry. Sometimes 4 apple and no cherry. I also detest pecan pie. I'm nuts but dont like eating them in pie.

 

[Agata]

Ah, ladies, it all sounds SO wonderful! I don't have any family in the US, so my partner and I either make (or order) something small for just the two of us, or friends invite us to the feast. A few times, we made a "fiendsgiving" on Friday or Saturday. I prepared the whole traditional meal for it and had a lot of fun cooking.
When we're invited for Thanksgiving, it is implied that I should bring dessert(s). I am known for my baking, so at least one pie is a must I usually make pumpkin (or sweet potato) and apple pies. My favorite is pecan, but I cannot make it because our usual hosts are allergic.
Also, it became our tradition that on Friday after Thanksgiving, we all (the same people who feasted together on Thursday), do the escape room and lunch, or at least coffee together. So much fun!

 

[Agata]

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful day for me and the memories of HUGE family gatherings and then when I married, I took over that tradition of hosting the family. We would have 20+ family and friends. It was wonderful and a full day of fun. The past couple years its dwindled down to 13 people but we always cook 2 turkeys and all the trimmings. 10 pies cause you cant have too many. I love cooking so I tell my family, stay out of the kitchen, I got this. I have music playing, ovens going, pots simmering, potato peels flying. As long as someone else does the dishes, I cook. Its wonderful. We have an open plan house so I still get the conversation and laughter, they're just not allowed to cross the line into the kitchen. We eat at noon. Games at 3, snacks after that. Friday is all about NOT shopping, we go get coffee then head to the frozen beaches and take photos, come home, bundle up then go to the fireworks display. Then we come home and eat and play xbox bowling while laughing. Its a wonderful weekend.

10 pies, ha? That reminds me of baking with my mom, which we usually did for Easter. Our family's favorite was/is mazurki. They are similar to pies, but the crust is more like a cookie or shortbread - sweet and buttery - and almost anything can be put as a filling. The non-negotiable staples were: orange, honey-almond, chocolate (with home-made chocolate), raspberry with walnut meringue, and apricot-marzipan (home-made marzipan). Additionally, we sometimes also made a rose petal filling and milk toffee / caramel one.

 

[BoatLady]

When I was young we had thanksgiving at my grandparents...great relaxing meal partly because there was some kitchen help so grandma didn't do it all. I remember polishing the silver with her though. Then Mom took it over...more excellent food then I took over when we had our big house up North it varied from 12 to 15 people for years. When we moved to Florida I would have Friendsgiving with our displaced friends so that was a table full of 16 or more with everyone bringing something. This year I am not up to it from my surgery hard to do stuff with a cane in one hand so we are going to just have one couple over for turkey breast. We are helping at the club again this year. Hubby is in charge of the kitchen so cooking 5 turkeys and a ham. The rest of the people bring stuff ...so helpers will arrange that I'll take the year off. I will be the social butterfly hobbling around with my cane---LOL.

Well anyway I hope everyone who is celebrating has a wonderful day.

 

[LSlycord]

I'm crazy, so just know that. I detest pumpkin but what do you do when the family loves it? I make six pumpkin crap pies and 2 apple and 2 cherry. Sometimes 4 apple and no cherry. I also detest pecan pie. I'm nuts but dont like eating them in pie.

Well, I'm always drawn to crazy! I'm supposed to be splitting pie duty with one of my nieces, but with 23 people, I think that I will make at least 3 to take.

 

[LSlycord]

This year I am not up to it from my surgery hard to do stuff with a cane in one hand so we are going to just have one couple over for turkey breast. We are helping at the club again this year. Hubby is in charge of the kitchen so cooking 5 turkeys and a ham. The rest of the people bring stuff ...so helpers will arrange that I'll take the year off. I will be the social butterfly hobbling around with my cane---LOL.

What kind of club is it? Is it in your neighborhood? And yes, you can be the social butterfly this year because next year you will have that brand new kitchen and be dying to use it for a big gathering!

 

[AK_Tracy]

10 pies, ha? That reminds me of baking with my mom, which we usually did for Easter. Our family's favorite was/is mazurki.

This sounds like a wonderful memory. My mom was a master at pie crust. As a kid I hung out waiting for the scraps so I could roll them and cut them into shapes and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar before baking. It was one of the few times we had fun together in the kitchen.

 

[Jeannette]

In the Netherland Thanksgiving is not celebrated. Some people do celebrate Halloween, but that mostly the younger people. It's not big here.
I do love Fall and I try to walk as much as possible, enjoying the fall colors.
We do have Sint Maarten on November 11. It's a bit like trick and treat, but kids do not dress up. They make a light at school, go by the doors, sing a song and get a treat. This feast comes from Martin of Tours, a soldier who gave half of his cloak to a begger. He became a very popylar Saint.
On december 5 we celebrate Sinterklaas. This is a celebration in the honor of Saint Nicholas. The legend of Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra in the 4th century, revolves around his reputation as a benefactor and patron saint. Well-known legends tell how he secretly gave three poor girls a dowry, saved innocently convicted people, and helped sailors in distress. These stories formed the basis for the later tradition of Sinterklaas, in which he was known as a benefactor.
We give each other presents, write poems and make surprises. It's a fun celebrations, although more and more people in the Netherlands don't really celebrate it anymore. They started to celebrate Christmas with presents instead.

 

[Agata]

In the Netherland Thanksgiving is not celebrated. Some people do celebrate Halloween, but that mostly the younger people. It's not big here.
I do love Fall and I try to walk as much as possible, enjoying the fall colors.
We do have Sint Maarten on November 11. It's a bit like trick and treat, but kids do not dress up. They make a light at school, go by the doors, sing a song and get a treat. This feast comes from Martin of Tours, a soldier who gave half of his cloak to a begger. He became a very popylar Saint.
On december 5 we celebrate Sinterklaas. This is a celebration in the honor of Saint Nicholas. The legend of Saint Nicholas, a bishop from Myra in the 4th century, revolves around his reputation as a benefactor and patron saint. Well-known legends tell how he secretly gave three poor girls a dowry, saved innocently convicted people, and helped sailors in distress. These stories formed the basis for the later tradition of Sinterklaas, in which he was known as a benefactor.
We give each other presents, write poems and make surprises. It's a fun celebrations, although more and more people in the Netherlands don't really celebrate it anymore. They started to celebrate Christmas with presents instead.

That is so very interesting. In Poland we celebrate St. Nicolas Day on December 6th. On the night from 5th to 6th, he brings gifts and leaves them either under the pillow of a sleeping people, or in their shoes. These days Santa brings gifts two times in December: on the 6th and on the 24th (yes, during evening celebrations of Christmas Eve which in Poland is much more elaborate than the actual Christmas Day). However, when my father was a child, only the 6th was celebrated with gifts from St. Nicolas, on Christmas Eve gifts were given by an angel. At least, that was his family's tradition
St. Martin's Day is rarely celebrated in Poland these days, but some people prepare a celebratory dinner with goose as a main dish (St. Martin's goose). My mom usually did that. I don't fallow this tradition here in the US, because geese are so incredibly expensive here