Traditions - The True Spirit Behind Thanksgiving!

Today I am writing about thanksgiving traditions, and there are many, but perhaps the biggest tradition of all is Thanksgiving itself.

Children are taught the story in school about how the settlers celebrated the first Harvest with their Indian Friends, and it became the First thanksgiving. Although this is true, this is not the holiday as we know it.

President Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November 1863, the first day of giving thanks for the blessings of "fruitful fields and healthful skies". 146 years ago the yearly tradition started but it wasn't until 1941, after President Roosevelt changed the date to the 3rd Thursday in November in order to extend the holiday shopping season, that congress actually ratified the holiday and the Tradition as we know it began.

The United Sates of America being the melting pot that it is - has taken some of its biggest thanksgiving traditions from other countries.

The Cornucopia, for example, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday- but does anyone know where it comes from or what the meaning behind it is??

This Horn of Plenty as it is often times called originated in ancient Greece and was the symbol of abundance. it has evolved over the years into a curved basket, however originally it was a curved goat horn overflowing with fruits and vegetables. The Story says that the horn was the symbol of Zeus's nurse the Nymph Amalthaea - and that it would be filled with whatever the owner wished for.

Another tradition that we see on thanksgiving is the Turkey and trimmings - this is something that has evolved since the first thanksgiving as the settlers did not have turkey, they were giving thanks for gain and seed.

Today, Different regions of the United States prepare it differently, like coffee rubbed Turkey in Hawaii, Salt encrusted Turkey in New England or deep fried Turkey in the south. None the less, the Turkey has become a main stay for thanksgiving tables.

Not only is eating Turkey a tradition, but since 1947 every thanksgiving the National Turkey Federation give the President of the United States Three Turkeys - one of which is pardoned and sent to live out its days in the comfort of a luxury spa, while the other two are dressed and served up for the Whitehouse Thanksgiving dinner.

And what story about Thanksgiving traditions would be complete if I didn't mention the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and Football.

The Macy's Parade with its lavish floats and larger than life balloons began in 1924 and is enjoyed by 46 million people all over the world, 2.5 million of which were along the Manhattan parade route last year. The first character balloon to make an appearance in the parade was Felix the Cat. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keyes, Tim McGraw and the Bare Naked Ladies. Other Characters that have graced the parade route are, Shrek, Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Abby Kadabby and the cast of sesame street as well as, of course the Big Man himself Santa Claus.

The Football tradition dates back to 1876 when the first collegiate football championships were held on thanksgiving day. Recently the NFL has added a Thanksgiving day game and of course the old staple rivalries such as the sunshine showdown of the Florda Gators and the Florida Seminoles.

Not to worry if can't choose the winning team in football you may be able to score the wishbone from the Turkey and if tug and end up with the bigger side you can make a wish that will hopefully come true for you. This tradition dates back to 322 B.C. when the Romans brought it with them when they conquered the British. English settlers brought the game with them to the colonies and the rest is history.

Lastly an most importantly Thanksgiving traditions are all about giving thanks - this year consider a regional southern tradition. Place 5 Kernels of corn on top of a small envelope, by each of your guests plates. When you sit down to dinner tell your Guests the Story of the of the first harvest. Explain how the settlers went through some days with merely five Kernels of Corn. Tell them about the planting and harvesting of the crops and how thanksgiving celebrated that harvest. Then look to your guests and ask them to pick up the first Kernel of corn and put it in the Envelope to remind them of the beauty of autumn. Follow with the second Kernal to remind them of their love for each other, the third to remind them of their family love, the fourth for friendship and when they put the last kernel in the envelope they should give thanks and be reminded of Freedom - the tradition we fought for - and the most important of all. They should keep the envelopes with them throughout the year to remember the lessons of the 5 Kernels.

As you can see Thanksgiving is steep with Traditions - and I am sure each family and person has even more that they do to add to this list. So During this Holiday Season Perfect Productions would like to know...

What are your Traditions?? Please share them with us.

To all our clients, Friends and Family, Best wishes for a Healthy, Happy, Tradition Filled Thanksgiving!!!