Fun Fact About Thanksgiving Day
The smell of sweet potatoes, the sight of a beautiful table and the sounds of family coming together - it all adds up to Thanksgiving being one of the most special days of the year. But as well as feeling so wonderful, Thanksgiving can also be very strange! There are plenty of odd facts about this American holiday that might surprise you. We’ll give you ten top thankful-themed facts and let you decide if they make you go Hmm... or Wtf! Are you ready? Let’s begin…
By the Numbers
Although we’re not quite sure why - the numbers at Thanksgiving are a little weird. The average amount of calories consumed at Thanksgiving is about 3,500. Woah! Did you know more turkeys are sold in the US on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year? Go figure. And one in five Americans don’t believe in the fact that turkeys are native to the Americas. Who knew?!
TL;DR: Don’t be a Scrooge
If you’ve been invited to dinner at someone’s house this Thanksgiving, you might have been advised to bring a gift: a token of your appreciation for their hospitality. In fact, some people might even call you a Scrooge if you don’t bring a gift. They call it the host/hostess gift, and it’s a nice way to show your gratitude to the people who care enough to invite you over. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it’s the thought that counts.
Pilgrims Didn’t Eat Turkey for Thanksgiving
They might have been the main feature on the menu, but the pilgrims didn’t actually eat turkey. At the first Thanksgiving dinner in 1621, they ate goose, fish, deer, and—weirdly—venison! And in case you were wondering, no, they did not eat pumpkin pie. That’s another Thanksgiving myth. The pilgrims also didn’t have pumpkin pie. They definitely did not have pumpkin pie!
President Trump Might Declare 2017 as the Year of the Roast.
The President might just decide to declare roast the official food of Thanksgiving. But please don’t think he’s planning to do away with turkey altogether (gulp). According to a survey, 70% of Americans prefer roast to turkey. Which means that if and when President Trump makes his declaration, turkey will be in the minority. And you don’t want to be the odd one out. So if you’re invited to a Thanksgiving dinner this year and you’re not sure what to bring, you could always go with the old faithful: A peace offering of roast turkey.
Turducken is a Thing
A turducken is a boneless chicken stuffed inside a boneless duck, which is then stuffed inside a boneless turkey. What? Why? Well, it’s apparently an American tradition to serve turducken on Thanksgiving. It’s believed to have originated in Louisiana. We don’t know if it’s delicious, but we do know that turducken is now a thing. It’s been documented: turducken has been added to the Oxford Dictionary as a word for “a boneless chicken stuffed inside a boneless duck, which is then stuffed inside a boneless turkey.”
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: The Longest Marathon in the World Is at Dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
The US has the longest Thanksgiving Day Marathon in the world - which is a little bit crazy, considering that the UK has the highest number of Thanksgiving Day visitors. There are many activities that people do on this special day, including visiting friends and family and, of course, eating lots of delicious food. We’re not sure how one person can hold out long enough to keep running for 26 hours. But we do know that the marathon runner who holds the world record has earned himself the title of one of the most dedicated and determined athletes ever.
Stuffing Was Discovered by Accident
Stuffing might be baked inside the bird or cooked in a pan, but according to the Food and Drink Festival, it was originally baked inside the turkey’s cavity and discovered by accident. People were baking food inside the turkey’s cavity to make it more flavorful, but it was often dried out. It wasn’t until someone decided to add bread to solve this problem that we got stuffing. So, if you’re a stuffing person, you have to thank a clumsy baker.
Now That’s What We Call Tradition!
There are lots of traditions at Thanksgiving. For example, you might light a candle at the table to represent hope for the future. You might also set a place at the table for a loved one who can’t be with you this year. These are examples of Thanksgiving traditions. But what about the strange ones? For example, did you know that wearing a pair of socks that don’t match is a tradition? No, we don’t know either. Apparently, it’s a way to invite good luck into your life.
A Word From Our Sponsor: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals
Now that we’re in November, we’re coming up to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. This is the time of year when retailers offer amazing deals on everything from toys to TVs. If you’re looking for a gift for a loved one, it might be worth checking out the sales. And if you’re looking for something for yourself, you could always treat yourself to a new luxury necklace or a stunning open face watch After all, you deserve it after enduring the stress of family members being together for Thanksgiving.
Final Words
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year when we get to spend time with family and friends. It’s a great opportunity to unplug from technology and spend quality time with the people you love. The holiday is a great reminder to be thankful for all that we have in life — and it's a great excuse to eat lots of delicious food! So, don’t be a Scrooge, go out and enjoy this Thanksgiving! And if you’re not sure what to expect, remember: there’s no place like home.