Melisa, Head of Brand PR, provides a brief history of the biggest US holiday of the year. From the traditional feast to volunteering efforts, she shares how our US teams are embracing traditions in 2024.  

Thanksgiving in the United States dates back to the early settlers in the 17th century. The settlers, known as the Pilgrims, were blessed with a good harvest, which prompted them to feast in thanks for their bounty. The Pilgrims invited their allies, the Wampanoag tribe, who had helped them survive the previous winter, when their bounty was not so great, against the harsh climate of what is now Massachusetts. 

The first nationwide public celebration of Thanksgiving was later proclaimed by President George Washington, over a decade into the fledgling United States’ existence. While the date varied for two centuries or so of the holiday, President Abraham Lincoln finally declared the final Thursday in November as officially Thanksgiving, which was honoured after the Civil War in the era of Reconstruction. The date was then brought forward by one week by President Roosevelt at the end of the Great Depression to allow for one more week of Christmas shopping to boost the then in-need US economy. 

Thanksgiving is a holiday rich in American history, bringing the nation from infancy to an established world power. It is a time in which Americans make space for the most valuable aspects of their lives, family and friends, while showing appreciation for their own life’s bounty despite the hustle and bustle of modernity. Time with loved ones and reflecting on gratitude is the true crux of Thanksgiving, however many other traditions have developed in recent decades. 

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has lit up Manhattan every Thanksgiving morning since 1924 with the famous balloons beginning to integrate into the show in the 1930s. Many onlookers flock to New York City to view the parade in person, while others watch live from the comfort of their homes. 

Most Thanksgiving celebrations occur early in the afternoon, allowing for meals to be thoroughly enjoyed and Americans to properly indulge before NFL Turkey Day games begin. Many Americans transition from the dining room table to the couch to digest their meals, while watching their favourite teams compete on the holiday. 

Turkey trots, 5K runs, are a common, popular activity for individuals, friends and families the morning of Thanksgiving, occurring early before preparations begin. In some instances, these turkey trots are tied to a charitable element to help raise funds for the less fortunate. 

Those who do not have family obligations or wish to give back for the holiday volunteer their time at local soup kitchens, whether in lieu of their own celebrations or following time with their family and friends, to honour the true meaning of the holiday. 

On the day, most Americans are sure to enjoy roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie as traditional Thanksgiving meals. However, the United States being a nation of varying cultures and backgrounds, it is incredibly common for individual groups and families to put their own spin on dishes, pulling from their own cultures, in addition to the traditional dishes. The beauty of Thanksgiving is that it is a true celebration of Americanism at its core – a group coming to a new land to honour their beliefs and celebrate their good fortune in making this land their home. 

At the THG New York Office, we typically have a Thanksgiving dinner of our own on the day, celebrating those who are in the office and showing our own appreciation of their hard work. All of the traditional dishes are served aplenty. 

Any THG international colleagues who are ever fortunate enough to find themselves in the US during Thanksgiving, which I must say is my favourite holiday, I could not encourage you more to remember the ethos of the holiday. Be with family or perhaps new American friends. Eat well. Be grateful for the big and the small joys in your life.