One of the biggest holidays in the United States is Thanksgiving – and it’s right around the corner! Thanksgiving is a time when American families, particularly those who live far away, return to their hometowns to spend time with their relatives. It’s a period of time when Americans reflect on the things they are grateful for, such as good health or supportive friends. It’s also a period of time for a number of popular events. Here are some of the top things to do on Thanksgiving.
Black Friday Shopping
Black Friday is well known across America as the best time to get your Christmas shopping done because of the huge sales going on across the country. These sales used to begin on the Friday after Thanksgiving, hence the name “Black Friday”, but in the past several decades, the sales have moved earlier and earlier. Nowadays, it is common for families to wait in line outside of their favorite stores, after they finish their Thanksgiving dinner, in order to be the first ones into a store and capitalize on the best-discounted products. Tech products famously receive steep discounts, and people always race to grab the limited number of cheap TVs. If you go out on Black Friday, be careful of fights between customers arguing over merchandise.
Watching Football
American football is easily the most popular sport in America, and while Thanksgiving provides a day off of work for most people, that’s not the case for professional football players. It’s almost guaranteed that an American family will have a football game on the tv. Depending on the outcome of the game, fans of certain teams will either have an excellent day, or a disappointing one. This year, there are 3 big games between 6 NFL teams. Check game times and make sure you catch your favorite team!
Volunteering at Food Kitchens
This next activity is probably the activity that is most in line with the theme of Thanksgiving: giving back to others. Food kitchens across the country host a staggering number of volunteers who show up to cook and serve food to the less fortunate and the homeless. They also work together to create care bags. Care bags include donated products that range from hygiene products, such as shampoo and toothbrushes, to clothing items. If you want to truly feel the Thanksgiving spirit of caring for others, participating in an activity like this is the best way to go.
Watching the Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Parade in New York
One of the most famous traditions of Thanksgiving is the Macy’s Day Parade in New York. The first parade started in the 1920s as a way to encourage consumers to come to Macy’s to do their Christmas shopping. It has become a beloved annual event that features a vast array of floats, dancers, bands, and performances by famous musicians. One of the most distinctive features of this parade is the giant balloons in the shape of famous characters, like Pikachu, that move through the streets of New York. Households across America will have this on tv on Thanksgiving morning as they prepare their meals for the day.
Cooking Dinner for Family and Friends
Finally, the most important event on Thanksgiving is, of course, being with family. Not near your family? Not to worry- host a “Friendsgiving” with your close friends! Family will often spend the day cooking together and then enjoy each other’s company for dinner. At dinner, it’s common for each person to share something they are grateful for. What should you cook for Thanksgiving? The top American dishes include turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and apple pie for dessert!
