When we think of holiday traditions we think of Christmas, Thanksgiving, turkey, sides, parades, mistletoe, Christmas trees, egg nog, carols, stockings, presents, and all else that comes along. The definition of tradition is the transmission of customs and beliefs from generation to generation.
The most meaningful traditions are those we create and celebrate with family and friends. Those traditions we celebrate all originate from older traditions and customs we have in common, such as Thanksgiving.
We all know Thanksgiving as the traditional holiday we all celebrate, but do you know about how the holiday came about for the entire country?
In 1846, editor and author Sarah Josepha Hale, considered the God Mother of Thanksgiving, and also the author of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” believed that Thanksgiving should become a national holiday. It took Sarah 17 years in her advocacy to nationalize Thanksgiving. Finally, on October 3, 1863, through President Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving became a national holiday. However, it was not until 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law that the fourth Thursday in November would be Thanksgiving, the National Holiday that we celebrate today.
At the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving Holiday tradition is the turkey. The turkey became part of the tradition in 1857 in New England, and its traditional sides of mashed potatoes and gravy originated from the United Kingdom in the 18th century. Cranberry sauce originated in 1912 in Hanson, Massachusetts. And the much loved Green Bean Casserole came about in 1955 as a quick and easy recipe for Americans to have on hand.
As early as the 1870’s the turkey has been presented to presidents as gifts during the holiday season.
The time-honored 72 year American holiday tradition is the gifting of turkeys to the president. This began with the National Thanksgiving Turkey Federation in 1947, when they delivered a turkey to President Harry Truman. In 1989, during the George H.W. Bush administration, the official tradition of the President pardoning a turkey began. The ceremony and pardoning takes place at the White House, and currently two turkeys are pardoned per year. The turkeys are allowed to live out their natural lives in a very stately fashion. Those are two grateful turkeys at Thanksgiving!
One of my favorite Thanksgiving food traditions is delicious breaded broccoli, a tradition started by my mother when I was a child. My eight year-old daughter now enjoys that same tradition as I have passed it along to her.
Take a moment and think for yourself which holiday tradition or traditions bring a smile to your face, warmth to your soul, and gratefulness to your heart.
As we are grateful not only for the holiday traditions from long ago, but also for the new holiday traditions we can start with our own families and friends. With this beautiful holiday season, let us raise our glasses and toast holiday traditions past, present and future; gratefulness; and goodwill to all! From our family and friends to your family and friends, have a happy and joyous holiday.
The Lady and the Old Man (Aka: Regla Fernandez and Timm Leikip)
The Lady, Regla, has a breadth of amazing experience, knowledge and love of travel, food, arts, music, life and the movies. Regla began riding horses as a young girl. She is a lover of animals and enjoys sharing her sharp-witted perspectives and observations.
The Old Man, Timm, has spoken to groups in 49 of 50 states, several Provinces of Canada, the UK, and Australia. Timm has been published by numerous trade and industry publications. He is a licensed private pilot, musician, and part-time golfer
