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Removals to America – Thanksgiving Day

If you are thinking about removals to America, then you will have heard of Thanksgiving. But when did it all start, and how is it celebrated today?

Hamiltons Removals have been helping people move to the USA for many years, and we know how important it is for people who are moving abroad to be aware of the customs of their new home country. Here is our guide to Thanksgiving.

The History Behind It

In America it is believed to have started with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621. Colonists came over from England and started a new life in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. The first celebration was partly to thank God for a successful harvest, and partly to thank the Native Americans who had welcomed them to the area.

In more recent times, Thanksgiving was confirmed as a national public holiday on every fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving is a Time for Eating…

A staple of Thanksgiving is a large family meal. Traditional fare includes a turkey, and we are pleased to say there is a Hamilton link to this. One of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton – whose story is told in Hamilton: The Musical – said that “no citizen of the United States should refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.” Nowadays, around 45 million turkeys are served up at dinner tables around the country.

The turkey is often accompanied by mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce – all the ingredients of a traditional UK Christmas dinner. Every year the US president ceremonially ‘pardons’ a turkey which would otherwise be bound for someone’s dining table.

Other foods commonly served include sweetcorn, squash, pumpkin pie and green bean casseroles. These are usually accompanied by wine or beer, or occasionally cocktails.

… For Watching Sports…

Watching an American Football game, either in person or on TV, is seen as an integral part of the Thanksgiving experience. There are plenty of other top-level sporting events on around this time as well, although many, such as ice hockey, start on the day following Thanksgiving. This is known as Black Friday, a tradition which has now also spread to the UK, where shops offer all sorts of bargains, both online and in-store. Many people have this day off too, so they enjoy a four-day holiday.

If you are worried about putting on the calories, you can take part in one of the many turkey trots held in cities across the country – these are road races of varying lengths, usually held on the morning of Thanksgiving.  If nothing else, it helps the runners work up an appetite for their meal later on.

… For Dressing Up….

Thanksgiving Day parades are a comparatively recent addition to the traditions. If you are considering international removals to New York, you may already know about the televised Macy’s Parade. It is named after the well-known department store, and people dress up as cartoon characters or TV celebrities, or wear costumes which reflect the chosen theme for the year. Santa Claus is always on the last float to represent the beginning of the Christmas season.

Other notable parades take place in Chicago, St Louis, Houston, Plymouth – where it all started – and Detroit, while the oldest procession of all takes place in Philadelphia.

… and For Helping Out Charities

The poor and homeless don’t go hungry at Thanksgiving, as communities across the US rally round in support. Food drives – similar to the UK’s food banks – help to collect cans of non-perishable items from members of the public, and local businesses make donations too.

The Salvation Army enlists volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving Dinners. In more recent years the Tuesday following Thanksgiving has been designated Giving Tuesday, leading to a rise in donations to charity.

Removals to America with Hamiltons

Wherever you want to move to in the USA, Hamiltons Removals are the people to contact. We can either ship your items over or use an airfreight service for items that are small or are needed in a hurry. Click on the link above and fill in the online form to receive a detailed quote for the cost of your removals to America.

Chicago, New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Houston are among the cities we can help you move to. Our friendly, professional staff will help you with all aspects of your move, from organising insurance to making sure your belongings clear through customs.