Even though we’ve still got a few more weeks until holiday shoppers are scoping out the supermarket aisles for good deals on stuffing fixings, cranberries and of course 30-pound turkeys, our northern neighbors are getting ready to face that battle, preparing to stretch their waist belts to full capacity and pulling out the Tupperware for the glorious creation that is Thanksgiving leftovers.
While Thanksgiving is thought of as a purely American tradition, Canada celebrates the holiday on the second Monday of October every year. This year the holiday falls on Oct. 8. Canadians take this time to visit family and celebrate the successful harvest, which occurs in early October for most of Northern Canada. In fact, the first Thanksgiving in North America took place in Canada. In 1578, an explorer from England arrived in Newfoundland and celebrated his safe arrival to the new world by “giving thanks” with a meal.
No, they don’t tell the tale of how the Native Americans and the pilgrims sat together for a meal (which is politically inaccurate, despite the fact that tradition has ingrained this tale into our hearts and elementary education system). Actually, the history of Canadian Thanksgiving stems from a European farming custom of getting together to toast to the harvest. While the celebration had been occurring for hundreds of years, it was only in 1957 that the Parliament of Canada officially recognized the holiday. Thanksgiving also had political influences, as it has become a tool of the state during various times of victory.
The same traditional foods are eaten: mashed potatoes, seasoned vegetables, turkey (or some sort of roast) and fruit desert (cobbler, pies, etc.). Do people crowd around the television screen, yelling at the football game? Yes, but not because it’s Thanksgiving, but simply because it’s football season.
It is typical for Canadians to start the celebrations at the beginning of this three-day weekend and have their festive dinner sometime before Monday.
Sorry, avid shoppers, the day after is not called “Black Tuesday.” For the record, neither is any day following Thanksgiving. While many Americans stake their claim outside Walmart at midnight on Friday, waiting to barge through the doors at an ungodly hour, do not plan to do so in Canada. If you do, you’ll be standing there alone. The closest thing to the American “Black Friday” is Boxing Day, which occurs the day after Christmas.
No, it’s not a celebration of Canada’s best boxers, or a tribute to our canine friend. Not much is said about why this day has been given this title. On Dec. 26, Canadians head to the malls for after-Christmas, end of the year sales sure to be at almost every store.
This Oct. 8, if you are in the holiday season mood, head to the grocery store, pick up a turkey and celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving.
If you are inclined to visit our northern neighbor over the weekend, be prepared for three days of holiday activities, family time and of course massive amounts of food. Although if you do find yourself north of the border this weekend, do not call it Canadian Thanksgiving. To them, it’s just Thanksgiving, and that kind of attitude will perpetuate the stereotype of the self-centered American.
