Now that Halloween is over, the stores would have you believe that it is Christmastime already. Halloween candy has been replaced with Christmas candy, costumes replaced by stockings and garland. Pumpkins are tossed in the woods and elves are making their comebacks. There is something we are all forgetting …. Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays, second to Halloween. Thanksgiving is a time of being grateful for what you have and expressing that gratitude with your friends and family. It is a time of year to surround yourself with warmth and positive energy. Friends and family gather and celebrate their harvest, their accomplishments, and their good fortunes of the year. It is the time of year that community and friends support and bolster those struggling. So why would we pass off this important holiday?
Historically, this holiday represents a feast with the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Following their arrival near Plymouth Rock in 1620, the Pilgrims lost a lot of their members and didn’t have enough food. A Native American tribe nearby aided them through the remainder of the winter and showed them how to grow crops in the spring. The fall of 1621, both Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for a feast in celebration. Sadly, there is no record of them coming together again in following years. It wasn’t proclaim a holiday until 1789, by George Washington, to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November in 1863, by Abraham Lincoln, and finally made an official holiday by Congress in 1941. It took over 300 years to make Thanksgiving a holiday of thanks officially! Wow!
Back in present day, the Christmas movies and candy and decorations have already filled the shelves and displays in stores, skipping over Thanksgiving. So let’s talk about 
Thanksgiving!
What is your favorite Thanksgiving movie? What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe? Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition?
I enjoy watching Thanksgiving themed shows and movies. Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving shows:
- Friends – Season 5 has a recap of all of their Thanksgivings, but the turkey stuck on a head is my favorite!
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – a classic showing that it’s not important what or where you feast, as long as you are surrounded with the ones you love
- Roseann – even though it’s hard to find a Roseann episode on TV these days, the show has done a lot of Thanksgiving episodes.
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles – a 1980’s movie about the struggles of holiday travel
- Grumpy Old Men – Even though it’s not a Thanksgiving movie, there is a hilarious Thanksgiving scene with two old men who haven’t gotten along since childhood.
- Garfield’s Thanksgiving – Everyone’s favorite fat cat learns a lesson about being grateful for what you have.
- The Blindside – Besides being a football movie, this one is about finding family in the most unexpected of places.
- National Lampoons Christmas Vacation – Best way to usher in the holiday season! Note – if little ones are watching with you, check for the edited version for language.
- Modern Family – Another TV show that has had a lot of Thanksgiving episodes, each one showing how important that family comes in many different ways.
- The Wonder Years – Nostalgic show based in the 70’s with young actors like Alicia Silverstone, Fred Savage, Danica McKeller, David Schwimmer, Dan Lauria. You may have to You Tube it, but it’s worth it!
In addition to Thanksgiving movies and shows, here are some of my must-have Thanksgiving dishes and desserts that will go with whatever your main course is:
- Apple Stuffing – homemade stuffing made with bread cubes, apples pieces, celery,
and seasoning. Family recipe passed down for generations, always makes me think of the holidays. Cranberries can be a substitute, but only in emergencies - Sweet Potato Casserole – mashed sweet potatoes + butter + maple syrup = yum
- Candied Yams
- Apple Cranberry Pie – The right combination of sweet and tart makes a great after meal treat.
- Wild Rice – The traditional kind!
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes – creamy mashed potatoes is always a hit!
- Green Bean Casserole – easy to make crowd pleaser!
- Broccoli Sauté – sautéed broccoli florets with a touch of shredded cheese on the top.
- Cranberry Sauce – I used to only use Cranberry Jelly, but I have started to really appreciate a homemade red cranberry sauce
So give a comment or two and tell me what your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, recipes, movies are!
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