Thanksgiving Gifts
Not primarily a gift-giving occasion
It is safe to say that Thanksgiving Day is not primarily a gift-giving occasion. The holiday started way back in 1621. In 1620, a group of English people settled in America and had a tough time dealing with the rough winter conditions there. Many of them died. Those who survived tried their best to grow crops to sustain themselves. But they had little knowledge in farming in a new land.
The tribal people and the English settlers
Then the members of the local Wampanoag tribe came to their rescue. They taught them the ways of planting seeds and fishing in a new environment. They shared their knowledge about farming with the English people. This helped the new settlers grow their own crops.
The origin of thanksgiving presents
The following year, they were able to reap a successful harvest. They wanted to thank the almighty for their success and also express gratitude to the natives for their help. In 1621, the English settlers organized a grand feast and invited the people of the Wampanoag tribe to take part in the celebrations. The tribal people brought some of their own harvest food for the feast. These foods were enjoyed by the English as well as the natives. Thus the custom of Thanksgiving Day was born. The tradition of bringing gifts for thanksgiving also got its roots from this Thanksgiving celebration of 1621.
Thanksgiving gifts today
Thanksgiving Day is now celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of every November. The bringing of thanksgiving presents is still popular in the U.S. But unlike the Christmas celebrations when one can bring any kind of gifts, thanksgiving presents are mainly related to the dinner table. Dining or feasting is of course, one of the greatest aspects of thanksgiving celebrations. In the U.S, Thanksgiving Day is a time when friends and family members come together to enjoy an elaborate thanksgiving dinner consisting of sumptuous turkey dishes, cranberries and pumpkin pies. Most families invite their friends and relatives to come over to their house and enjoy a grand dinner. The invited ones try to return the favor by bringing in marvelous thanksgiving dinner gifts. These presents serve to add to the dinner experience. Typical gifts brought for the thanksgiving dinner are:
- Bottles of exquisite wine
- Cutlery items
- Dinner table centerpieces and
- Fruit baskets
It is also a popular custom to bring home-cooked thanksgiving foods as gifts for hosts. Foods such as roasted turkeys, pumpkin pies and cookies are particularly popular.
Other presents for thanksgiving
Many people also try other kinds of presents to broaden their scope of gifting. The sales of electronic gift items like music players, gaming consoles, computers, radios and televisions shoot up high during the thanksgiving season. Kitchen appliances and clothes are also bought for gifting during the holiday.
A way of thanking dear ones
Thanksgiving gifts are actually a way of thanking dear ones for their love and support. Do not waste a chance to make your loved ones feel special during the holiday season. Times may be tough. But if you are willing, you can buy nice thanksgiving presents for them all even within moderate means. Your sweet gesture will bring happiness to your dear ones as well as to yourself.
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