THANKSGIVING DAY
For centuries, Thanksgiving has been a very important tradition for the American people; an essential and living part of their identity. This custom commemorates the arrival of the first Pilgrims on American soil and their alliance with the Indians. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Every year, Americans get Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday off work. On Thursday, everyone prepares a really enjoyable meal for the whole family and friends. Before the great meal of itself, women go round to their friends’ and families’ houses to taste a variety of foods, and to prepare the food in advance. On the Friday, there are clothes and food sales in shops throughout the country. Families can often carry on eating the leftovers of the humongous Thanksgiving dinner on the Saturday and even on the Sunday. Thanksgiving brings all the members of the same family and their friends together around a traditional and exquisite meal. On the table, several dishes can be found. Firstly, there is a big turkey with stuffing along with cranberry sauce (a sauce made from sour red berries that grow in cold parts of the world) and gravy (a sauce made from the turkey’s juice). Then, different sorts of vegetables can be tasted, like mashed potatoes, corn on the cob dipped in butter, green beans and so on. For pudding, you will be delighted with pumpkin pie and pecan pie. And of course everything is properly homemade. After dinner, the family and friends watch the Thanksgiving Parade on TV, which takes place in New York. Then the men unzip their trousers to let their bellies out, and sit in front of the TV, watching the football. It might sound like a bit of a cliché, but it’s actually true! Later in the evening, there are special Thanksgiving shows on TV followed by favourite old movies like The Sound of Music with Juliet Andrews. Everyone has a fantastic time and even though no presents are given, the most important thing for everyone is to be together to commemorate this special day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Alexandra Montémont