thanksgiving day 感恩节资料

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for allthe good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. Thefourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition ofThanksgiving continues till date in the form ofFamily Reunion and FeastingFamily feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the tableduring dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time forrelatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.Tradition of TurkeyThe traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, Cranberrysauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historiansdon't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, butthe thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.ParadesThe traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it anofficial day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength anddiscipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them withwholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows andcelebrities.Football GamesWatching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game betweenthe Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable gameshaving been played on this day.Thanksgiving Day CustomsThe Thanksgiving legacy has been alive for hundreds of years.The customs we see in our homes today remind us of ancient celebrations of harvest, thankfulness forpeace, and the endeavors of native Americans. It consists of stories of those who believe that gratitudefor blessings is a virtue all must possess.Custom of PrayingFor centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes. Peopleoffer various meal time prayers during the day. It is a time, when mankind thanks God for all his blessingsand grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends and relatives for all the good deeds.Thanksgiving Day TraditionCustom of Family DinnerEveryone follows the custom of family dinner and reunion religiously every year. Distances don't really matter as relatives drive down to be with their family. Feasts are usually held at home. It is a time to enjoy their favorite 'Roasted Turkey' with the family.Custom of DecorationThanksgiving is a time to decorate homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. People beautify their homes, give the interiors a whole new look and feel. They light lamps to brighten the environment. Tables are adorned with best china and antique silver cutlery to mark the occasion.Custom of sending messagesThanksgiving is a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives, colleagues at work place, superiors and subordinates, near and dear ones. It is a day of conveying their feelings through Thanksgiving cards.First Thanksgiving Day FeastThe famous 'First thanksgiving feast' is said to have taken place in autumn, in the year 1621. The pilgrims organized the feast right after the first harvest. It was a gesture to thank God to help them survive the bitter winter. It was also celebrated as a display of gratitude towards Indians. The feast took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The traditional 'First feast' formed the basis for the modern 'Thanksgiving Day', celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year.According to historians, the first thanksgiving feast was eaten outside, as the colonists didn't have sufficient space to accommodate everyone. Native Indians were invited to the feast as they were the ones who taught pilgrims how to grow food. The feast was held to rejoice their fruits of labour.The feast is described in a firsthand account presumably written by a leader of the colony, Edward Winslow. According to him, the governor had sent four men to kill as many fowls. The feast was attended by 90 people including Indians (Native Americans). The food included, ducks, turkeys, geese, swan and venison, fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, and plums. The feast continued for three days. It was accompanied by lots of dancing and merry-making.The feast was not repeated for the next few years. The next thanksgiving day was celebrated in the year 1676. The year witnessed a severe drought, which was eventually followed by rains due to prayers.George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. The idea attracted mixed reaction. After campaigning for nearly 80 years, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.Origin of Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebratedevery year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. It has a very interesting history. Its origin can be traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.Journey of PilgrimsThe legendary pilgrims, crossed the Atlantic in the year 1620 in Mayflower-A 17th Century sailing vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty. This was so because they were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel. No one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims comforted themselves by singing Psalms- a sacred song.Arrival in PlymouthThe pilgrims reached Plymouth rock on December 11th 1620, after a sea journey of 66 days. Though the original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia, they could not reach the place owing to winds blowing them off course. Nearly46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold in winter. However, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to survive by growing food.Day of Fasting and PrayerIn the summer of 1621, owing to severe drought, pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer to please God and ask for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. God answered their prayers and it rained at the end of the day. It saved the corn crops.First Thanksgiving FeastIt is said that Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive . In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank god for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as “The first thanksgiving feast”. There is however, no evidence to prove if the dinner actually took place.While some historians believe pilgrims were quite religious so, their thanksgiving would've included a day of fasting and praying, others say that the Thanksgiving dinner did take place.Turkey and First Thanksgiving FeastThere is no evidence to prove if the customary turkey was a part of the initial feast. According to the first hand account written by the leader of the colony, the food included, ducks, geese, venison, fish, berries etc.Pumpkin and Thanksgiving FeastPumpkin pie, a modern staple adorning every dinner table, is unlikely to have been a part of the first thanksgiving feast. Pilgrims however, did have boiled pumpkin. Diminishing supply of flour led to the absence of any kind of bread.The feast continued for three days and was eaten outside due to lack of space. It was not repeated till 1623, which again witnessed a severe drought. Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of thanksgiving in the year 1676. October of 1777 witnessed a time when all the 13 colonies joined in a communal celebration. It also marked the victory over the British.After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed last Thursday in November ofthanksgiving in the year 1863. This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazineeditor. She wrote a number of articles for the cause.Thanksgiving Day ParadeAmerica's preeminent 'Thanksgiving Parade' isan important tradition. It was first held in theyear 1924 in Detroit down to Woodward Avenue. The parade began on a very small scale, its popularity grew with each passing year, and after almost 24 years of the parade tradition, it was televised locally in 1948. Fours years later in 1952 the parade received national coverage.The Parade is famously known for its policy of going on under any circumstance or condition; be it rain or shine. The most bittersweet year of the Parade was 1963, which was held less than a week after President Kennedy's assassination, the country was still in mourning. But, as they say 'The show must go on', the parade was held so as not to disappoint millions of children and viewers.Thanksgiving parades also occur in other cities like Plymouth, Houston, Philadelphia and Detroit (where it is the only major parade of the year).Important Features of Thanksgiving ParadeImportant features of the parade are moving stands with specific themes, scenes from Broadway plays, large balloons of cartoon characters and TV personalities, and high school marching bands. The parade comes to an end with Santa Claus's image passing the stands.Thanksgiving Day GiftsMake the most of Thanksgiving Day by expressing love and admiration foreveryone who cares for you and everyone special to you!! Try andremember everyone who did something good to you - those who were present with you when you badly wanted their support, or those who brought smile on your face when you were in a pensive mood... Think a little and there will be so many people whom you owe a big thanks. This Thanksgiving Day, make it a point to thank all of them.Gift them a tight-warm hug, a beautiful flower, a pretty Thank You card or a beautiful Thanksgiving Day Gift to express your sincerest love and admiration for them. Remember the size of the gift does not matter it is the feeling behind the gift that really counts. Given below are some interesting Thanksgiving Gift ideas for those looking for appropriate Thanksgiving present for dear ones. So go ahead select a beautiful Thanksgiving gift and share the blessings of God with your friends, family, relatives and loved ones.Thanksgiving Flower GiftFlowers are a perfect gift to express your gratitude to your near and dear ones. They don't cost much but say it all. Fresh flowers can lift someone's spirits, while dried flowers can be used to decorate homes.Thanksgiving Gift BasketsGoodies Gift Baskets are a much appreciated Thanksgiving Gift. This is because edibles such as snacks, cookies, food grains and fruits have always been associated with prosperity and happiness. You may also add chocolates and wine bottles to your gift basket and make it even more attractive for the recipient.Thanksgiving JewelleryGold jewellery and other precious metal and stone accessories are popular gifts items during Thanksgiving celebrations. An estimated of 16% of shoppers splurged on jewelry during thanksgiving weekend. Religious jewellery such as rosary beads and bracelet makes for an interesting gift. You may also opt for designer fashion jewelry which are cost effective and much appreciated in present times.Thanksgiving ChocolatesAnother popular option for gifting is chocolate. Available in different flavors, shapes and sizes, chocolates are a favourite Thanksgiving gift among children and even grown ups. Club the chocolates with flowers and see that million dollar smile on your dear one's face.Thanksgiving Teddy BearCuddly Teddy Bears and other stuffed toys make a cute and cozy Thanksgiving gift for children and sweethearts.Thanksgiving DecorativeDecorative make a thoughtful Thanksgiving Gift especially for ladies. These days a wide range of decorative are available in the market. You may choose from vase, table lamps, show pieces, candle holders, paintings, photo frames etc.Thanksgiving CakesScrumptious Cakes make an exotic Thanksgiving Gift for dear ones. Select the cake in recipient's favorite flavor to increase the impact of the gift. If you are good at baking, prepare the cake yourself for, nothing can match the feeling and zest of a homemade cake baked with love.Thanksgiving PerfumesA nice way to express your admiration for someone would be to present a mesmerizing perfume as a thanksgiving gift. Select an impressive bottle and recipient's favorite fragrance for heightened impact.Thanksgiving Household GiftsHousehold gifts like coasters, mats, cutlery, crockery are of high utility. Available in attractive designs, they enhance the beauty of interiors and make a thoughtful Thanksgiving gift.Thanksgiving Day CardsThanksgiving Day is an opportunity for us to express our sincerest gratitudeto people who love and care for us. One of the most preferred andappreciated way of expressing gratitude is to say it through a beautiful Thanksgiving Day Card. While there are lot of Thanksgiving cards available in cards shop, you may also make the card yourself. The recipient will be touched to receive a handmade card and will be thankful to you!!To Whom Should You Send a Thanksgiving Card?A Thanksgiving Card should be sent to everyone who has helped you in some way of the other. Also remember to thank all people who love you and care for you. You should go ahead and send a Thanksgiving Greeting to your parents, grandparents, siblings and other members of the family. In your workplace you may present Thanksgiving card to your business partners, colleagues, seniors and subordinates. Besides, Thanksgiving Greetings could also be given to neighbours, teachers, doctor, lawyers or any other social acquaintance who has helped you in improving the quality of your life. Remember Thanksgiving Card is all about bringing a smile on each of these persons face with a genuine expression of your admiration for them.Patterns in Thanksgiving Day CardsThanksgiving Greeting Cards are usually adorned with traditional Thanksgiving Day symbols like wreath, turkey, cornucopia, pumpkin etc. Images of fruits and flowers are also used to symbolize happiness and prosperity associated with harvest festival. Sometimes a simple 'Thank You' is printed to depict the feeling of gratitude felt by the sender.Thanksgiving Day E-CardsIn present times, animated Thanksgiving E cards have become a popular way of sending Thanksgiving Greeting to loved ones. Large number of E-cards site offer a beautiful range of free thanksgiving greetings. This makes e-cards a convenient and cost effective method of sending Thanksgiving Greetings to loved ones, especially those staying in different cities and country。