I took a break today while preparing our American Thanksgiving dinner and, on a whim, looked up Canadian Thanksgiving. I found a very, very detailed account of it on a Canadian site and though I stopped reading about 15 paragraphs in, with a lot left unread, I read enough to know that this author is really ignorant of history. Canadians had this holiday before the Pilgrims! Really, I could go on and on, but trust me, they were not copying us Americans.
If I were Canadian I would probably be pretty irritated by this article, but I'm not so instead I'll just be pretty appalled by it.
8
Cheese curds! Yum and Canadian
Funny enough Canadians celebrated the first Thanksgiving about 45 years before the pilgrims did. It was celebrated by Martin Frobisher in 1576 when he came to North America looking for gold and a way to the Orient. So to say Canadians borrowed the holiday from the US is actually historically false.
7
The major difference between the Canadian and American Thanksgiving is the day on which each fall. In the States, Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday - with many Americans take the Friday off to use the four day weekend to travel to visit friends and family living elsewhere. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on a Monday, resulting in a three day weekend only. Some people travel, of course, but not many. Having lived in both Canada and the States (Portland, Oregon), I would say that in the States, Thanksgiving is the biggest holiday celebration of the year. In Canada, our Christmas, with its extra vacation day, receives the most attention. That extra vacation day, of course, is Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, which is a national holiday in Canada. In Canada, you will find that many, if not most, businesses, (other than retail shopping stores), run on skeleton staffs as employees take the entire Christmas or New Year's weeks as vacation weeks.
7
Canadians did not "borrow" Thanksgiving any more than the Americans "borrowed" it from the English (which was the nationality, after all, of the colonists who started the darn thing).
It's rather ignorant of history to not understand that there were many colonies in eastern North America, and that when 13 of them left to do their own thing a whole lot of people left them to go hang out in the other ones. Those English-speaking Loyalists brought their traditions with them, including Thanksgiving. The holiday simply predates the entire concept of the United States and of Canada.
It's rather ignorant of history to not understand that there were many colonies in eastern North America, and that when 13 of them left to do their own thing a whole lot of people left them to go hang out in the other ones. Those English-speaking Loyalists brought their traditions with them, including Thanksgiving. The holiday simply predates the entire concept of the United States and of Canada.
6
Yes, Canadian Thanksgiving is much more low-key. But heaven knows, we don't all default to dishing up turkey. For me, it's a celebration of the bounty this country produces -- so every year I cook something different.
Thanksgiving 2016 meant goat's cheese soufflés with a herb salad (mixed with cranberries and hazelnuts) to start. Then we had boeuf bourguignon (Albertan beef with a Pinot Noir from the Okanagan), followed by pumpkin custards (from our own home-grown sugar pumpkins).
Not a turkey in sight. Nor any leftovers…
Thanksgiving 2016 meant goat's cheese soufflés with a herb salad (mixed with cranberries and hazelnuts) to start. Then we had boeuf bourguignon (Albertan beef with a Pinot Noir from the Okanagan), followed by pumpkin custards (from our own home-grown sugar pumpkins).
Not a turkey in sight. Nor any leftovers…
7
Thanksgiving is a quieter holiday in Canada. It isn't connected to the start of the Christmas holiday season. And it being in October means it is still good weather. It is not like in the movie 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' where everyone is scrambling to get home for the holiday (thank God). Finally, if you're looking for a 'Canadian' holiday dish, there is always torture from Quebec and any dessert made with maple syrup. Me, I had a ham dinner with butter tarts for Thanksgiving.
3
Canada did now "borrow" Thanksgiving as you state...Here are 3 reasons:
1. As Chris below posted:
"Many historians believe that Thanksgiving in North America was actually first celebrated by Martin Frobisher and his crew during their search for the Northwest Passage in 1578. Then in 1604 Samuel de Champlain celebrated action de grâce in Nouvelle-France. Both long before anyone ever heard of Plymouth Rock."
2. In addition, many of the first Canadians were United Empire Loyalists. Including my family who was Pennsylvania Dutch. They moved from the 13 colonies to Canada in the 1770s, to stay loyal to England. There was about 70,000 of UELs who also brought many traditions (that were later dubbed 'American') with them. We're from the same stock. Might explain why "Canadians living in the United States look, talk and act so much like their neighbors" or why "we eat remarkably the same things". Really?
3. Canadian Thanksgiving is less about (btw- rather bleak) historical events, and more about being thankful for our annual harvest- which overall occurs earlier than America's because we are located further North.
Many Americans are aware we have Thanksgiving, too. And we also have a lot of unique dishes, some that NYT mentioned themselves in another article a few days ago.
At the end of the day it's families getting together to reflect on reasons they are thankful, and happy. With everything going on in this world, you really took the time to write a piece to criticise them?
1. As Chris below posted:
"Many historians believe that Thanksgiving in North America was actually first celebrated by Martin Frobisher and his crew during their search for the Northwest Passage in 1578. Then in 1604 Samuel de Champlain celebrated action de grâce in Nouvelle-France. Both long before anyone ever heard of Plymouth Rock."
2. In addition, many of the first Canadians were United Empire Loyalists. Including my family who was Pennsylvania Dutch. They moved from the 13 colonies to Canada in the 1770s, to stay loyal to England. There was about 70,000 of UELs who also brought many traditions (that were later dubbed 'American') with them. We're from the same stock. Might explain why "Canadians living in the United States look, talk and act so much like their neighbors" or why "we eat remarkably the same things". Really?
3. Canadian Thanksgiving is less about (btw- rather bleak) historical events, and more about being thankful for our annual harvest- which overall occurs earlier than America's because we are located further North.
Many Americans are aware we have Thanksgiving, too. And we also have a lot of unique dishes, some that NYT mentioned themselves in another article a few days ago.
At the end of the day it's families getting together to reflect on reasons they are thankful, and happy. With everything going on in this world, you really took the time to write a piece to criticise them?
10
I am more and more aware of the many thousands of good people from other countries who come to Canada every year to bring in the harvest, usually for low pay and in gruelling conditions. To all of them, a heartfelt thank you. I hope you too have a chance to spend time with friends and family over a good meal, here in Canada as well as in your homelands.
9
I'd like to point out that many historians believe that Thanksgiving in North America was actually first celebrated by Martin Frobisher and his crew during their search for the Northwest Passage in 1578. Then in 1604 Samuel de Champlain celebrated action de grâce in Nouvelle-France. Both of these event, long before anyone ever heard of Plymouth Rock. So, if we want to point fingers on who copied who, it might be worth while to reconsider the facts.
9
There are a few uniquely Canadian dishes: such as a pumpkin pie covered with toasty marshmallows and served a la carte with the meal. It's a quiet day - most people don't travel - and the shops are closed. It's a lot like Family Day in Ontario: people go hiking, see friends, have a family meal at home, relax. We like it that way.
5
Born and raised Canadian with over 50 Thanksgivings under my belt and have never seen pumpkin pie covered with toasty marshmallows, also here in Vancouver the shops are not closed, except small mom & pops and Costco
2
"Living in Canada is like living in the attic when there's a party going on downstairs"
6
We need to add this as an additional holiday.
2
A few years ago a US retailer branch in Markham, Ontario tried to run a Thanksgiving Day Sale and was picketed for importing US usage of the day for profit.
4
As a child in the 1950's l'Action de Grâce meant the last weekend at the cottage by the lake and removing the shutters to install the winter windows. Absolutely nothing else. The shutters came back on Victoria Day, or Fête de la Reine. Again, no celebration. Even Christmas was very low key, mainly religious.
But did we ever catch up on Jour de l'An (New Years Day) ! Mass, Paternal Blessing, presents, huge turkey lunch at my maternal grand parents, more presents, open house, visit to some relatives, huge turkey dinner at my paternal grand parents, more presents, dancing. Next day, my parents slept all day while we kids played with our presents.
But did we ever catch up on Jour de l'An (New Years Day) ! Mass, Paternal Blessing, presents, huge turkey lunch at my maternal grand parents, more presents, open house, visit to some relatives, huge turkey dinner at my paternal grand parents, more presents, dancing. Next day, my parents slept all day while we kids played with our presents.
2
I was always told it was a holiday that celebrated the end of the harvest, which is another way to say 'celebrate the beginning of several months off' for farmers? Perhaps that's a bit naive. Having sampled many, many turkeys in my day - very few of which were not dried-out husks of leathery blandness - I also assume the timing of the holiday was decided upon by people who were well aware of how badly their family cooked, and thus wanted to space out their turkey eating obligations.
2
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving Day is that the religions have kept their hands off it.
9
Amen, brother! You got that right.
Wouldn't one speak of a "Canadian sense of humour?" ;-)
As for distinctive Canadian cuisine, I'm wondering if Nanaimo bars or poutine would qualify? I don't know if these have traversed, as the Canadians might say, A Mari Usque Ad Mare.
As for distinctive Canadian cuisine, I'm wondering if Nanaimo bars or poutine would qualify? I don't know if these have traversed, as the Canadians might say, A Mari Usque Ad Mare.
1
1621 makes your Thanksgiving the nouveau celebration. * Canadians do Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and their celebration is actually older than yours. Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578 when an arctic explorer and his crew gave thanks for safe travels. * courtesy Bridgette Shirvell
6
The first celebration of "thanksgiving" in the new world was in 1578. Martin Frobisher on a voyage from England in search of the North West Passage celebrated thanks for their survival in a small settlement on Baffin Island which is now part of Nunavut. Years later Samuel de Champlain of explorator fame held feasts of thanks from 1604 onwards. So this celebration has indeed been a happening in Canada for a few years.
3
I lived in Montreal for 4 years. What my Canadian friends told me was that the scenery is prettier in October, a much better holiday backdrop. By late November, it's dark, dreary, and the weather really sucks. Noteworthy observation was that Thanksgiving in Canada was more of an Anglophone celebration. Love the Hudson Bay blanket in the photo.
1
Growing up as a cross-border kid (Mom was Canadian, Dad was American) I always appreciated celebrating two Thanksgivings and two Independence Days (Canada Day is July 1). It's especially convenient that both holidays closely map each other from a calendar perspective.
I'm grateful to be able to celebrate in both cultures...and now, time to tend to the turkey...
I'm grateful to be able to celebrate in both cultures...and now, time to tend to the turkey...
3
In fact, Canadian Thanksgiving predates US. It goes back to Martin Frobisher in the 1500s in Newfoundland. See this from the CBC
http://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/whats-the-story-thanksgiving
http://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/whats-the-story-thanksgiving
1
typically, this article utterly misses the clear differences between the two countries, which have some pretty huge cultural differences. Thanksgiving is not the same holiday in Canada as Thanksgiving is in the US. In Canada Christmas is our main family vacation: one ALWAYS goes home for Christmas. We have Boxing Day on the 26th of December and it is also a statutory holiday as is Christmas Day on the 25th, allowing for at least 2 days off work, unlike in the USA. We REALLY celebrate Christmas. Thanksgiving is in October and is far away from Christmas temporally and is more an end of the summer season holiday. As many have mentioned here, many take the opportunity to go up north one last time on that weekend, go for one last swim in the pool before it is closed for the winter or other similar activities. We eat turkey for both holidays, but the whole "home for the holidays" business Hollywood has taken to demonstrating in recent years as a purely American thing. Our traditions are not comparable at all, so the first mistake is expecting there to just be a temporal shift. It is far more than that.
7
Boxing Day is not a statutory holiday in Canada except for Ontario
Every year I wish we in the US celebrated Thanksgiving in October as well, instead of the 3-4 week commercial crush of Thanksmas that ruins both holidays.
7
I always loved Thanksgiving as a child. It's become a kick off for Christmas spending. Like many other things, we abuse this day of Thanks as it was intended. Even turkey used to be special.
1
Thanksgiving is earlier in Canada because the fall harvest is earlier. Very simple. As a transplanted Canadian I've marveled at the commercialism Americans attach to this day of thanks. It's a time for family, friends, warmth, and good food, not panic over table settings and glazed desserts.
3
Has everyone forgotten that before we were the USA and Canada, we were joined at "British North America" -- which celebrated the traditional Christian holidays of the harvest (typically in October for the church calendar to correspond with northern hemisphere harvest season)?
The Pilgrim story, The Frobisher story, even the joining of Armistice Day with Thanksgiving Day in Canada between the 2 World Wars... these are *all* revisions on what is an ancient church observation that *no doubt* coincides with more ancient pagan celebrations of harvests. To be able to *store* food for the coming winter -- possible with settled, agrarianism and the creation of cold caves would have really made the historical turning point for the celebration of food one could over-winter.
But "Canadian Thanksgiving" is not a derivative, or something created with an envious eye to the bigger commuter challenge in the US. Our holidays are based in a shared history.
Turkey sets North American apart from European traditions because of the ubiquity of the wild bird here.
And yes, the "Timbits and corn" folks are having you on.
The Pilgrim story, The Frobisher story, even the joining of Armistice Day with Thanksgiving Day in Canada between the 2 World Wars... these are *all* revisions on what is an ancient church observation that *no doubt* coincides with more ancient pagan celebrations of harvests. To be able to *store* food for the coming winter -- possible with settled, agrarianism and the creation of cold caves would have really made the historical turning point for the celebration of food one could over-winter.
But "Canadian Thanksgiving" is not a derivative, or something created with an envious eye to the bigger commuter challenge in the US. Our holidays are based in a shared history.
Turkey sets North American apart from European traditions because of the ubiquity of the wild bird here.
And yes, the "Timbits and corn" folks are having you on.
2
Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays and borders on sacred remembrances for me. It has little to do with pilgrims and turkeys but of fall colours, cooler air and family life. When my parents were alive thanksgiving was celebrated with turkey and lamb. I did not like the feathered bird and preferred lamb. Our house was a festive place to visit and partake in a feast of food, booze and laughter. This is so Canadian, that you can immigrate from another country as a young child and make a traditional turkey feast into something you can call your own. Over time I developed a liking for the bird and now look forward to next day turkey soup because there is nothing better in the world than soup made from turkey left overs.
1
Just how far do my Canadian relatives have to go before somebody - anybody! gets the joke? Different kinds of corn, eh? TimBits for dessert? Hee!
1
I wouldn't mind timbits for dessert. And if you look around locally at food markets, you can indeed find different kinds of corn. Different colors at least.
butter tarts are great but they aren't in any way associated with thanksgiving. the recipes are nonsense.
As a dual US/Canadian, I get to celebrate BOTH Thanksgivings -- one in Toronto with my family (where I am now), and one in San Francisco (where I live) or Michigan (with my in-laws). I happen to love turkey, and the regional cooking that goes on at all three venues. And pumpkin pie with vanilla bean ice cream is a bit of heaven anywhere.
In addition, a really good reason to have the holiday in early October rather than late November is because it's so bloody COLD in northern North America in late November. So maybe the US can lean something from the Great White North, eh?
In addition, a really good reason to have the holiday in early October rather than late November is because it's so bloody COLD in northern North America in late November. So maybe the US can lean something from the Great White North, eh?
2
What might be helpful as well as inciteful, would be to explore the issue of 'Boxing Day' right after or at our Christmas Industrial Complex day of the 25th of December. When I asked a neuropsychologist friend in British Columbia about this mysterious day years ago, she mention that it represented a day to 'Wrap or 'Box' gifts for family members and had no connection to ringside sports boxing seats. I do not belive it's a wild perverted thing as it is here? I'm still not certain if it's also another wild turkey day or not. Sounded much more civil and yet, what about Santa?!!
1
Boxing Day is a traditional British Holiday in which the aristocratic ladies of the houses would present their servants with gifts (generally of food, fabric, preserves from the pantries...) and give them the day off. Boxed up food stuffs the servants had themselves prepared, that tenant farmers may have grown or raised may seem peculiar, but the servants had no rights to those things beyond their production. The nobility did, however have an *obligation* to provide for the villages that supported the land (farming, running dairies, transforming raw goods like linen and wool into yarn and cloth) and to provide for their servants. Hence the term "noblesse oblige" and Boxing Day is part of the obligation: a seasonal sharing of the surplus on hand.
4
Morally superior eh? What am I to think about the swarms of Canadians who traditionally come to Northern NY and invade our grocery stores to buy frozen turkeys and milk? Maybe they are thankful for lower US food prices for these commodities?
I also notice lots of Quebec license plates on Interstates heading South towards NYC/NJ the Wednesday before US Thanksgiving. Come join the party--you're among friends here!
I also notice lots of Quebec license plates on Interstates heading South towards NYC/NJ the Wednesday before US Thanksgiving. Come join the party--you're among friends here!
3
What the heck?
First they put little maple leafs on the Walmart signs and now this. You're not fooling anybody, Canada.
Although I do like Ontario better than Texas. Let's go Blue Jays!
First they put little maple leafs on the Walmart signs and now this. You're not fooling anybody, Canada.
Although I do like Ontario better than Texas. Let's go Blue Jays!
2
Maybe Mr. Goldbach was excited about the dinner rolls because they only made their appearance at Thanksgiving. This was the case at our American household. I looked forward to them (and the creamed onions).
2
Turkey fatigue by food editors? Am I the only person who loves roast turkey and all the trimming once a month? Happy Thanksgiving to our beloved neighbors to the north. Send leftovers.
1
As an American who has worked in Canada and lived there of r30 some years, I was fully aware Americans know little of Canada. One early comment I heard from then Prime Minister Trudeau was," make sure the elephant doesn't roll over on us." Canadians have been working hard at it ever since. Anything that can distinguish each culture from the other makes sense. Anyway, I enjoy Canadian Thanksgiving and always go south for US Thanksgiving. Christmas is a social pressure and is why Americans like US Thanksgiving with family.
1
What an odd article. The underlying theme seems to be 'How can Canadians possibly have a Thanksgiving when they aren't Americans?'
Thanksgiving in Canada is basically a harvest festival (much more appropriate in early October than a few weeks before Christmas), being thankful for the crops that are 'in the barn' or 'in the cellar'. No national mythology, flags, or marching bands - just an acknowledgement of the seasons and simple gratitude for a kitchen full of food for the winter :-).
Thanksgiving in Canada is basically a harvest festival (much more appropriate in early October than a few weeks before Christmas), being thankful for the crops that are 'in the barn' or 'in the cellar'. No national mythology, flags, or marching bands - just an acknowledgement of the seasons and simple gratitude for a kitchen full of food for the winter :-).
5
Oh for heaven's sake, no need for nationalist mythology nonsense! Canadian Thanksgiving is merely a harvest festival; the last chance for family and friends to get together over a seasonal feast before everyone hunkers down for winter.
Simple as that. And that turkey dinner is far enough away from the christmas turkey dinner that you don't groan quite as loudly when faced with the meal again.
Simple as that. And that turkey dinner is far enough away from the christmas turkey dinner that you don't groan quite as loudly when faced with the meal again.
3
We do have a distinct cuisine. In Newfoundland it's called a Jiggs Dinner. Salt beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and root veggies and the best part - peas pudding. Add that to a turkey and you have an amazing meal for Thanksgiving. At Christmas we have a tourtière or tarte de viande for Christmas Eve dinner. All distinctly Canadian without a bit of maple syrup in sight.
2
I moved to New Jersey when I was 11. For a few years after, I always thought the US copied Canadian Thanksgiving.
2
Our Thanksgiving dinner always includes corned beef with cabbage and turnip. It is a Newfoundland thing. Makes a great addition to the table and the broth enhances the turkey gravy. We are tremendously grateful to live in this great country which shows the world that people from all cultures can get along well together, It is called respect.
3
If you have ever spent November on the Prairies (this year will be my 40th one),
you will understand why Thanksgiving needs to be held in October. We consider
ourselves lucky if it doesn't snow before Hallowe'en. By the middle of November,
it is seriously winter here-rain, rain-turning-to- snow, ice pellets, real snow, more
snow, snowstorms and so on until March or April, sometimes a late snow in May.
We know it's coming but we still fear it, complain about it, try to escape it. It's winter and it's coming to a Canadian Prairie town near you! This November! And maybe even sooner this year. So let's get that Thanksgiving Day going in October because we may forget we have anything to be thankful about come November.
Even butter tarts won't cheer us up...
you will understand why Thanksgiving needs to be held in October. We consider
ourselves lucky if it doesn't snow before Hallowe'en. By the middle of November,
it is seriously winter here-rain, rain-turning-to- snow, ice pellets, real snow, more
snow, snowstorms and so on until March or April, sometimes a late snow in May.
We know it's coming but we still fear it, complain about it, try to escape it. It's winter and it's coming to a Canadian Prairie town near you! This November! And maybe even sooner this year. So let's get that Thanksgiving Day going in October because we may forget we have anything to be thankful about come November.
Even butter tarts won't cheer us up...
5
In the U.S., Thanksgiving is arguably the most important family day of the year. Hence jam-packed airports and highways.
In Canada, the principal family day is Christmas. Thanksgiving is a fairly low-key event and does not have the commercial significance that it does in the U.S., where it is the trigger for the Christmas shopping season.
In Canada, the principal family day is Christmas. Thanksgiving is a fairly low-key event and does not have the commercial significance that it does in the U.S., where it is the trigger for the Christmas shopping season.
2
Thanksgiving, eh?
All these delicious sounding dishes and no recipes?
Want a quiet Thanksgiving? Try when it falls on Yom Kippur. Them's good eats!
1
Thanksgiving in Canada is a harvest festival just like the ones celebrated in Europe and around the world for centuries, where people give thanks for a bountiful harvest. The date of ours corresponds roughly to England's traditional harvest festival (theirs is late September whenever the autumn equinox occurs, while ours is close to the same time, in early October). It has nothing to do with American Thanksgiving, apart from borrowing the actual holiday name instead of just calling it "Harvest Festival".
2
I was born and raised in Niagara, I am 58yrs and way back in the 50's and 60's we were taught in school that Thanksgiving was a time to celebrate the harvest. Easier to understand perhaps since Niagara at the time was surrounded by farm land, and indeed was the season of harvest. With all the immigrants at the time, especially from Europe it certainly was a medley of turkey plus other sides. Being of Italian and German decent we had potatoes of course, brussles sprouts, squash, string beans in oil and vinegar, corn, definitely a side of pasta (lol),and homemade rolls. Desert was the thing that was the deal breaker - Italian deserts! Pumpkin pie was an additional desert as the years went by. So really, with all the multiculturalism of Canada and America it really isn't that different in terms of food. With turkey being the main event, sides are whatever. We all look forward to Thanksgiving since we haven't had turkey for almost a year and we look forward to the Octoberfest celebrations . With Italians it was also wine making time. By the was Christmas in terms of food isn't much different. Turkey, ham, lasagna (homemade of course) and too many sides and homemade desserts to mention from the Italian, German culture. As they used to say back in the day America is a melting pot and Canada is a tossed salad. Both our countries our rich in culinary delights Thanks to our parents who immigrated from afar! Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Canadians where ever you are!!
2
To me, it's always been just a harvest festival, much like the American version but without the pilgrim mythology. No need to differentiate. I assume it's in October because by the time November rolls around, weather-wise at least, we have much less to be thankful for.
5
My Canadian viewpoint is a little different. I've always thought of it as a celebration of the harvest. The American story of the Pilgrims doesn't really enter it. October rounds up the end of the growing season, and as a land of plenty we take a weekend to honour that and give thanks as a nation. For many it has a religious context, too. Doesn't really matter. A reaching out to our less affluent people is in order, too, through feeding the poor and donations to our food banks, (a sad fact of life, here).The beauty of our colourful landscape Is an added bonus to the feast. So much to be grateful for, whichever side of the border we inhabit, but a lot more work to do to make it better!
9
For my family and lots of other southern Ontario dwellers, Thanksgiving is close-the-cottage weekend. As a child in the 60's the oven could only manage a chicken with stovetop vegetables, carrots, green beans and a pie from the local baker/post office.
On the way home, it was often a road-side burger or KFC or a meal at the now defunct Esso Voyageur restaurants (they had a big red pointy hat on the roof!)
That was a treat to make up for the mind-numbing hours spent in Thanksgiving traffic.
On the way home, it was often a road-side burger or KFC or a meal at the now defunct Esso Voyageur restaurants (they had a big red pointy hat on the roof!)
That was a treat to make up for the mind-numbing hours spent in Thanksgiving traffic.
5
Poutine is a distinctly Canadian dish. It's basically french fries with cheese curds and gravy. It's usually sold in greasy-spoon type establishments, but it's acquired a certain cachet here in upstate New York (I mean, way upstate, near Montreal), and is on the menu in some more upscale restaurants. There's nothing fancy about it. Very plebeian, filling and bland food.
It's pronounced [putsin] in Quebecois, by the way.
It's pronounced [putsin] in Quebecois, by the way.
2
It think it makes more sense to give thanks on October 16 - the day on which Cristobal Colon (a/k/a "Christopher Columbus") made landfall in the New World (f/k/a/ "discovered America"). Ocober is, after all, the month when harvests are completed, and Thanksgiving is by tradition a harvest festival. The Canadian holiday is far closer to what I think a national day of thanksgiving should be -- an it's likely a lot closer to what the US Thanksgiving was originally intended to be.
I am constantly amazed at the US peoples' ability to commercialize any given holiday and to make it an occasion for: family stress; obligatory "niceness" to family (no matter how artificial) and rudeness to others who get in one's way (at airport, store, on road, etc.); ridiculous travel demands/expectations; incredible gluttony; irresponsible overspending; and a total loss of focus on the holiday's true meaning.
So, Canada. may you enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving Day reflecting on your many blessings, temporal, spiritual, earthly, and celestial.
I am constantly amazed at the US peoples' ability to commercialize any given holiday and to make it an occasion for: family stress; obligatory "niceness" to family (no matter how artificial) and rudeness to others who get in one's way (at airport, store, on road, etc.); ridiculous travel demands/expectations; incredible gluttony; irresponsible overspending; and a total loss of focus on the holiday's true meaning.
So, Canada. may you enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving Day reflecting on your many blessings, temporal, spiritual, earthly, and celestial.
14
"...family stress; obligatory "niceness" to family (no matter how artificial) and rudeness to others who get in one's way (at airport, store, on road, etc.); ridiculous travel demands/expectations; incredible gluttony; irresponsible overspending; and a total loss of focus on the holiday's true meaning. "
Wow. Merry Christmas.
Wow. Merry Christmas.
5
My God. That's not my view of a US Thanksgiving.....
2
Our parliament sensibly spread out Octoberfest, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas and New Years to reasonably distribute gastric upset and calories through the fall and early winter. As well, widening the Thanksgiving/Christmas gap on the calendar, takes considerable psychological pressure off the designated turkeys. And please note that yes, it is true, our turkey stuffing is a combo of doughnuts and poutine.
9
Also good timing for a mid-semester break for students.
2
It's like many things Canadian and American; we share them but have different perspectives and traditions. What is shared is a harvest feast focused on food that originally comes from this continent: turkey, squash (including pumpkin), corn, beans, cranberries and even wild rice. What differs probably reflects Canada's northern weather: mid-October is a lovely time of year with the colours turning and a great time for families to spend outside -- something harder for us to do in November! For those of us who have cross-border affiliations, we get the best of both celebrations! Here's to Thanksgiving however and wherever you celebrate it!
19
Also, winter weather comes sooner in Canada than in most parts of the US. Therefore, the harvest that facilitates a "harvest feast" has to come sooner in Canada.
1
In both countries Thanksgiving started as Christian religious holiday; but have become national holidays. Any one from any race or religion can give thanks for what they have; for the peace and security that they live in these these 2 great countries. In this year of horror in parts of the world, we can all look around our tables and think if our respective countries have any room at the table for at least a few of the refugies of the world.
8
From my home in Ann Arbor, one travels south of the border in search of the Canadian essence.
The culture is benign, respectful of others, and more broadly engaged than we with the community of nations as peers rather than powers or pawns.
Quirks abound, but Ill will is rare. I love Canada and its people.
Good neighbors indeed.
The culture is benign, respectful of others, and more broadly engaged than we with the community of nations as peers rather than powers or pawns.
Quirks abound, but Ill will is rare. I love Canada and its people.
Good neighbors indeed.
27
There is pretty much a "thanksgiving" in all cultures with a fall harvest. In Korea it's called Chuseok. Same thing happens everyone gathers with family for a big dinner to celebrate that year's harvest. In china it's the moon festival. In Canada we have in October to celebrate the harvest. This is a normal thing to do all around the world. The American one is just a bit strange because it's so late towards winter. its a big ordeal for me and my family. We all get together. Similar to Christmas. Drink eat food. Go for crisp fall walks through the red maple leaves. Pick apples from the orchards. I love it.
11
Chuseok is a wonderful festival. There is a delicious pumpkin soup that deserves international attention. If a Korean family invites you to dinner, they might serve kimchi-stew and most often you all eat from the same central bowl. Whoosh...interpersonal barriers fly away.
Yes, it can be an ordeal alright.
Baked acorn squash with maple syrup! Woot woot! That's Canadian!
13
I'm with you. Looking through th recipes, I saw many ideas for an American Thanksgiving. Sadly, my grandmothers' butter tarts, potatoes and (rutabaga) turnip whip ('Tatties and nips") and oatmeal date squares were missing.
I'm an American citizen married to a Canadian and I've spent my life alternating between the two countries. The biggest difference (besides October versus November) that I can discern between the two Thanksgiving Day celebrations is that our Christmas shopping season does NOT follow Thanksgiving and we DON'T spend Thanksgiving watching silly sports on the boob-tube but rather speaking to each other and enjoying our lovely fall weather.
16
Interesting on the sports front. However, this year, the Toronto Blue Jays will be playing ball on the Sunday for sure and, should the Texas Rangers manage to eke out a win on the Sunday, will play on Thanksgiving Day with Canadians across the nation tuned into the game.
6
Yeah, you've sure nailed the American Way, that watching a football game with family after a wonderful meal on a holiday with no obligations besides eating and being surrounded by family sure as hell precludes my ability to chat or enjoy the day, you're so incisive.
I am sure every Canadian plays Mozart while eating that dinner among loved ones then takes a long hike and discusses, well, life, what else?
I am sure every Canadian plays Mozart while eating that dinner among loved ones then takes a long hike and discusses, well, life, what else?
1
Harvest dinners date way back in the UK. The turkey may have been borrowed from US traditions in terms of food but the habit of thanking for a good harvest, family, and friends goes way way back in UK tradition. Multiple sources come together as so often Canada.
7
You know, both are just harvest festivals, whicb all cultures share. Like Rosh Hashana. Just as Christmas and Chanukah are winter solstice festivals. And Passover and Easter are spring fertility festivals. religious and civic leaders turned these pagan customs to their own devices.
11
Agree with the main point of your commnent, but Rosh HaShana doesn't have origins in a harvest festival that was later invested with religious significance (although its being chosen as the start of the new year shows the agricultural cycle's importance) but Sukkot (which comes two weeks later) clearly is a Jewish holiday that started as a harvest festival.
Thanks Pete, for the excellent piece about the ex-pat Canadian's Thanksgiving feast as served in America. Yes, it is a bit different, but the smart ones celebrate both nation's holidays and get it right.
The Canadian 's traditions are worthy of great praise, serving Big Bird or not and I have learned much from these friends, especially about sides, some of which have migrated to my own late November table. Big Bird or not, I never suffer Turkey Fatigue and eat it year-round.
To be clear, Canada is not a Northern branch of the U.S. and they enjoy a wealth of their own traditions. U.S. cooks can learn from them and some of us do. to the great benefit of our November guests. IMO, smart cooks embrace rather than reject and for the benefit of all.
Thanks for the excellent article and nice to see you back in your full, prolific form.
If I must say this, the absolute worst part of the U.S. Thanksgiving meal is tepid or even cold gravy! God's major purpose in creating the microwave oven was to boost the temperature of the glop in Grandma's gravy boat. Please, keep it HOT!! The smart host will rewarm it several times during service and absolutely every time the boat is reloaded! Regardless of nationality, attention to the small details is what makes the difference between a mediocre meal and a great meal!!
The Canadian 's traditions are worthy of great praise, serving Big Bird or not and I have learned much from these friends, especially about sides, some of which have migrated to my own late November table. Big Bird or not, I never suffer Turkey Fatigue and eat it year-round.
To be clear, Canada is not a Northern branch of the U.S. and they enjoy a wealth of their own traditions. U.S. cooks can learn from them and some of us do. to the great benefit of our November guests. IMO, smart cooks embrace rather than reject and for the benefit of all.
Thanks for the excellent article and nice to see you back in your full, prolific form.
If I must say this, the absolute worst part of the U.S. Thanksgiving meal is tepid or even cold gravy! God's major purpose in creating the microwave oven was to boost the temperature of the glop in Grandma's gravy boat. Please, keep it HOT!! The smart host will rewarm it several times during service and absolutely every time the boat is reloaded! Regardless of nationality, attention to the small details is what makes the difference between a mediocre meal and a great meal!!
7
We used to joke about my mother's insistence on getting more hot gravy. but it made the meal complete, especially for second helpings.
I always look forward to Thanksgiving, Its a great opportunity to bring friends and family together and cook a wonderful meal and I always appreciated that. Whatever the reason and or history surrounding our holiday in October it gives us that much more space between Turkeys and Calories and I love that
3
I don't say this in the spirit of difference; rather in that of commonality. I always look forward to Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday! As a holiday, it's SO much better than even Christmas. What I so love about it is the coming together of friends, family, and the welcoming of people who may find themselves alone at this time of year. And there are no (extravagant) decorations, no crazed shopping, and giving of gifts to those who are fortunate to have way too many things already.
It's simply a time of having a traditional, shared meal together; usually a meal in which most of those present contribute to the meal. One thing I have made a tradition for myself is to take a quiet walk outside, where most traffic and busyness have come to a halt. I would prefer to have this special time of quiet in the colorful month of October. But even here in Wisconsin, as one of your closer neighbors to the south, I've come to appreciate November. I just bundle up a bit more and let my feet crunch the dried twigs instead of the leaves that have fallen to the ground.
I believe the U.S. is one of the noisiest, hyperactive nations on this earth. Still, one can create what they want to out of this day, whether from the States or from Canada.
You do have the advantage of being immersed in a culture that supports what I, and plenty of others, seek on our respective Thanksgivings. That's why so many of us to the South have fantasies of moving to Canada!
It's simply a time of having a traditional, shared meal together; usually a meal in which most of those present contribute to the meal. One thing I have made a tradition for myself is to take a quiet walk outside, where most traffic and busyness have come to a halt. I would prefer to have this special time of quiet in the colorful month of October. But even here in Wisconsin, as one of your closer neighbors to the south, I've come to appreciate November. I just bundle up a bit more and let my feet crunch the dried twigs instead of the leaves that have fallen to the ground.
I believe the U.S. is one of the noisiest, hyperactive nations on this earth. Still, one can create what they want to out of this day, whether from the States or from Canada.
You do have the advantage of being immersed in a culture that supports what I, and plenty of others, seek on our respective Thanksgivings. That's why so many of us to the South have fantasies of moving to Canada!
3
I always thought the difference in timing related to our northern climate, which means our harvest is in earlier so we are thankful for it sooner in the fall than our American cousins. Our flexibility as to the actual evening over the long weekend and it's disassociation from any commercial interests reflects our values as a nation.
11
Kathleen I always thought that it was related to our shorter growing season too. I live in Ottawa and there is always some likelihood of snow on the ground by November, so it wouldn't feel like harvest time if we held Thanksgiving in that month. I can't fully agree with you though that our values as a nation are disassociated from commercial interests. It seems to be more related to how closely Hallowe'en follows Thanksgiving in Canada. For retailers, it's more lucrative to start pushing the Hallowe'en stuff in late September or early October.
1
We will be eating turkey on Sunday, with my American sister who was concerned that we would have dinner on Monday, which conflicts with her flight home to Milwaukee. We are relaxed about timing and have had Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday in the past, sometimes all three!
We celebrate the harvest in our beautiful and peaceful country. Naps, long walks, or a drive to admire the leaves are in store.
We celebrate the harvest in our beautiful and peaceful country. Naps, long walks, or a drive to admire the leaves are in store.
15
I lived in Nova Scotia and spent several Canadian Thanksgivings there. The only thing particularly Canadian on Thanksgiving menus were the Tim Horton's coconut cream pies. The lack of college football on TV was nice. Mmm, pie.
8
Ontario and anything west of it got its start when Loyalists by the tens of thousands fled north during the American Revolution. They had celebrated Thanksgiving as colonial subjects in Massachusetts, Maryland, etc. and they did not stop celebrating it as refugees.
4
Thanksgiving was not widely celebrated in the US until well into the 1800s.
All I know is I get turkey in October, November and December and it's great. My wife cooks me Canadian Thanks Giving Dinner every year to celebrate my Canadian heritage and in turn I take care of the American feast in November for her.
6
I was in carmel 15-16 years ago when thanksgiving was on November 25th which, coincidentally was my Japanese wife's birthday. we were staying at a best western hotel with a deli below. I got up early to get my wife some turkey. she never had it in japan and loved it when we we in in Canada. I asked the young woman for half a pound (about 225 gm). I mentioned that it was my second thanksgiving of the year. she asked why and I explained I was canadian etc. she looked at me and said, 'do you celebrate Christmas on December 25th?' I told her we were metric so we didn't. she said, 'oh'.....and that was the end of it.
as for why we celebrate it....americans might not believe it, but the pilgrims came from England. you were English, not American. during the American revolution many people who didn't want to split from the old country emigrated to Canada which had European settlement by the French around the same time the English did. as for having it in October.....i'm not sure, but it might've had something to do with November being too late for many parts of Canada to escape bad weather.
as for why we celebrate it....americans might not believe it, but the pilgrims came from England. you were English, not American. during the American revolution many people who didn't want to split from the old country emigrated to Canada which had European settlement by the French around the same time the English did. as for having it in October.....i'm not sure, but it might've had something to do with November being too late for many parts of Canada to escape bad weather.
10
Thanksgiving is when you go home to help close up the cottage. It has no powerful grip on the Canadian imagination, exceptasan instance of us trying to resemble Americans and differentiate ourselves. re timing, there is little about late November to give thanks for, and we have a solemn commemoration that for some is a holiday on Armistice Day (Nov 11).
Nice article and recipes!
Nice article and recipes!
3
When the first thanksgiving dinner was held, wild turkeys were very common and the Native Americans used them mainly for dog food. The Pilgrims equipped with muskets were better able to harvest deer than the NA's with bow and arrow. So the NA's brought turkeys and the P's brought deer.
During TG, the consumption of Mayo must really go up - how else to get that dry turkey meat down. Well last year a friend asked me to smoke a turkey in my offset smoker. WOW it was very flavorful and juicy - so this year and forever I will crank up my offset smoker.
BTW our ancestors had very little beef as there was no refrigeration and the only cut of beef that has enough fat to smoke is the brisket and it frankly is a bit dry. My ancestors used to smoke their pork and then convert the extra corn they had to corn whiskey, put it in barrels and then the smoked pork and whiskey down the Ohio/MS river to either Natchez or New Orleans and walk back to IN along the "Devils Highway".
During TG, the consumption of Mayo must really go up - how else to get that dry turkey meat down. Well last year a friend asked me to smoke a turkey in my offset smoker. WOW it was very flavorful and juicy - so this year and forever I will crank up my offset smoker.
BTW our ancestors had very little beef as there was no refrigeration and the only cut of beef that has enough fat to smoke is the brisket and it frankly is a bit dry. My ancestors used to smoke their pork and then convert the extra corn they had to corn whiskey, put it in barrels and then the smoked pork and whiskey down the Ohio/MS river to either Natchez or New Orleans and walk back to IN along the "Devils Highway".
2
The lack of history knowledge, on both sides of the border, is astonishing. Seriously people, google before you post, and go to google.ca if you want an accurate answer about anything Canadian.
The Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving before the Americans. The Canadians did NOT borrow it. The lack of mention in American cooking magazines isn't surprising. Most Americans are woefully arrogantly ignorant about their northern neighbor, and condescending, whom they regard as a younger sibling. I liken it to children of divorced parents. Canada went to live with England.
While the US sends businesses north, Ford, Chrysler, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc., not many come south. Tim Horton's comes to mind, but it was purchased by Wendy's, rather than actually making a business plan to expand into the us. The sale of Hudson Bay to the American NRDC was a patriotic scandal. Even television shows go north, but not south, despite gems such as Red Green and Corner Gas.
Restaurants advertising "Canadian" food can be a disappointment. Memphis BBQ, southern BBQ, southern fried chicken... Butter tarts are uniquely Canadian.
But, we were only separated 240 years ago. That is a lot of shared heritage, including cooking styles. And, living next door to each other, we've shared a lot of history. Canada was part of the Great Depression. Canada was in WWI and WWII longer than the US, including rationing.
We miss living there. We'd take a transfer back in a minute.
The Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving before the Americans. The Canadians did NOT borrow it. The lack of mention in American cooking magazines isn't surprising. Most Americans are woefully arrogantly ignorant about their northern neighbor, and condescending, whom they regard as a younger sibling. I liken it to children of divorced parents. Canada went to live with England.
While the US sends businesses north, Ford, Chrysler, Wendy's, McDonald's, etc., not many come south. Tim Horton's comes to mind, but it was purchased by Wendy's, rather than actually making a business plan to expand into the us. The sale of Hudson Bay to the American NRDC was a patriotic scandal. Even television shows go north, but not south, despite gems such as Red Green and Corner Gas.
Restaurants advertising "Canadian" food can be a disappointment. Memphis BBQ, southern BBQ, southern fried chicken... Butter tarts are uniquely Canadian.
But, we were only separated 240 years ago. That is a lot of shared heritage, including cooking styles. And, living next door to each other, we've shared a lot of history. Canada was part of the Great Depression. Canada was in WWI and WWII longer than the US, including rationing.
We miss living there. We'd take a transfer back in a minute.
16
What you are missing is how the Jewish community basically does not really end up celebrating - unlike in the states where the holidays is long past the jewish holidays and a month before xmas, thanksgiving in Canada is usually right in the middle of the jewish holidays. In my 15 years up here i have never understood why it wouldn't be changed - I believe truman changed it?
Until Roosevelt, Thanksgiving was a state holiday, celebrated on different days by each state. He selected the 4th Thursday in November at the behest of retailers who pressured him to select that date because it added a week-end to the Christmas shopping season.
1
Snowbirds can have their Thanksgiving dinner in Canada then come south for another Thanksgiving in Florida?
2
"The traditional account of the pilgrims and natives at Plymouth in 1621 may be highly revisionist, but at least it offers something to debunk."
And debunk we shall. In Canada, we recognize that the first Thanksgiving in North America occurred in 1578 during Martin Frobisher's voyage in search of the Northwest Passage. And if that's not to your liking, consider that Samuel de Champlain created a similar observance (the Order of Good Cheer) in 1604 in Nova Scotia - which was shared with the local indigenous people.
And debunk we shall. In Canada, we recognize that the first Thanksgiving in North America occurred in 1578 during Martin Frobisher's voyage in search of the Northwest Passage. And if that's not to your liking, consider that Samuel de Champlain created a similar observance (the Order of Good Cheer) in 1604 in Nova Scotia - which was shared with the local indigenous people.
18
The selection of Frobisher's expedition as the historical origin of Thanksgiving is at least as arbitrary as that of the Pilgrims' successful harvest. It seems unlikely that Frobisher was the first person in North America to feel thankful for something and to express that emotion to some deity or deities.
1
Canadian Thanksgiving happens after the fall harvest, when the crops are off the field. The timing makes more sense. As a Canadian transplant, having Thanksgiving so close to Christmas (as y'all do) always seemed very strange.
15
Actually, the Canadian government set the day in 1931; previously it was celebrated in November but the Feds didn't want two statutory holidays in one month and November 11 was a very big deal. The farmers were upset as they were still bringing in their crops and thought it was way too early. One politician noted that “the farmers’ own holiday has been stolen by the towns” to give them a long weekend when the weather was better.”
1
And I got the date wrong, it was 1957 when they pegged the date in October.
The only strange thing is to see the Halloween and Christmas merchandise together in many stores.
Next up: I look forward to the author's explanation of Boxing Day. Which apparently has nothing to do with smacking an opponent until one of you is unconscious.
8
I might be able to help you, Jen; I was told as a child (70 years ago) that it originates before the advent of refrigeration(!). In the Manor, after the Christmas Feast enjoyed in rollicking form by the so-called 'nobles', something had to happen to the leftovers. And fast. So while the Squire and his cohort were snoring away in bed after all that mead, or, well, brandy....early next morning the butler and footmen and wenches in the kitchen had these remnants packed up by the scullery women and delivered in the cart by the footmen to the plebs on his estate; who were no doubt awaiting excitedly for the basket or box, bundle or bin, bag or bucket of half-demolished food; I hate to think of all the half-chewed goose bones or turkey feet, clumps of potatoes - turnips? and stuffing, to be delivered by the footmen. I bet they fell on it. Makes you think, doesn't it? Nothing has really changed, we still have our restaurants deliver food in boxes to the food drop-offs for those in need. It's shaming to think that we haven't advanced to a more equal society enshrined in our own hearts and laws.
2
It's the American equivalent of Good Friday - great sales! And the only boxing involved would be with other shoppers looking to snag a great deal.
Oops. Meant Black Friday
The one thing for sure is that our friends north of the border have more to be thankful for this year. PM Trudeau seems like a good man off to a good start and we get to choose between a slate of deplorables.
Can I write in President Obama for a third term?
Can I write in President Obama for a third term?
15
How could the Canadians borrow it, when it was proposed in 1859? The American one was established in 1863 by President Lincoln, who thought that there should be a day of national reflection and giving thanks to God for the blessings,
Also, Canada and the US have THE SAME history until the Revolution, and even going forward from that point, there are shared experiences.
Also, Canada and the US have THE SAME history until the Revolution, and even going forward from that point, there are shared experiences.
5
Yeah. It's true that America did have an impact on Canadian Thanksgiving, but in a general, cultural way. The United States was coming apart in the 1850s from the Bleeding Kansas crisis. As a result it was undergoing a crisis of self-examination. Were Americans pastoral slaveowners or Northern, urban semi- liberals? The confusion had a spillover effect in Canada and brought changes on several fronts including national defense and cultural institutions. The Civil War started, of course, one year after Canadian Thanksgiving began in 1860. Many Canadians served on the Northern Side [considerably fewer for the south]. The survivors only began to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving upon their return after 1865. Understandably, they were very grateful to return home after their safe return from the first industrialized war. Canadian nationhood began shortly after in 1867, partly out of the fear that a united, mobilized United States would continue its dream of manifest destiny. Secretary of State Seward's failure to achieve this is the biggest secret we celebrate during Canadian Thanksgiving. But remember, we are your friends and out backdoor is always open... ;)
4
Until 1759 Canada and the 13 colonies fought like cats and dogs. In 1763 the Treaty of Paris confirmed Britain's possession of Canada. In 1764 Britain created the Province of Quebec on both inhabitated side sof the St-Lawrence river and kept the Amerindians in charge of the Ohio Valley, which made the colonists furious. The 1774 Quebec Act added to this fury. The 1776 Rebellion
Canada and the US hardly had THE SAME history until the Revolution...
Canada and the US hardly had THE SAME history until the Revolution...
What a silly notion that Canada should have to distinguish ITS celebration of the harvest over the American version! The holiday has become an inane wash of Whole Foods consumerism anyhow, north and south of the 49th. Once again America demands a BRAND ethos of something that is simply a family tradition in both countries. Need it be anything more?
4
Heading up north this weekend to eat turkey and the trimmings. Add to that some Nanaimo bars and butter tarts, and it will be truly Canadian. And delicious.
Growing up there, Thanksgiving meant a big dinner without pilgrims and natives. All about being grateful for the harvest (which is earlier due to being further north.) Then we'd start getting excited for Halloween.
Growing up there, Thanksgiving meant a big dinner without pilgrims and natives. All about being grateful for the harvest (which is earlier due to being further north.) Then we'd start getting excited for Halloween.
8
Canada is a land of immigrants. This article and many of the comments seem to imply that we Canadians eat many (and too much!) of the same things as our American cousins. In fact, if you ask people who have come from around the world to settle in our tolerant, generous country you will find more than "boring" food on their tables: you will find comfort foods vibrant in spices, that taste of home, of meals made memorable by sharing laughter and replicating recipes of relatives left behind. Of course there's turkey but also Chinese feasts, Syrian delicacies, pirogies, jerk chicken, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, injera, and numerous variations of chicken and rice. My father-a transplanted American who came up here during the Vietnam war-always half-jokingly (but probably in all seriousness this year) asks: What are Canadians grateful for? Answer: We live in Canada.
7
"Aleppo? What's Aleppo!?"
Doesn't that sum up America's familiarity with others, even within their own country?
Doesn't that sum up America's familiarity with others, even within their own country?
6
As an American expat in Canada (for the last 35 years)I have come to enjoy the quieter Canadian Thanksgiving. What was said about the suspicion of other holidays based on October Thanksgiving was right on the mark. For 35 years when we have called family in the US on a holiday I have been asked some version of, "Do you have/celebrate New Year there." Every year, every holiday I patiently explain that we do indeed only to answer the same question the following year.
4
My family and I spent a wonderful American Thanksgiving in Toronto at a Vietnamese restaurant. Pho without leftovers frankly was a nice change of pace. Plus, the Grey Cup was in town that weekend, so we got to partake in the wonderful festival that accompanies the championship for Canadian football. There was something really special seeing so many Canadians from across their great nation dressed in the colo(u)rs of all of the various CFL teams throwing public parties, breakfast, etc. throughout Toronto.
4
Can we move past the idea that specific countries need to have a special cuisine unique to themselves? What makes Canada special is the shear variety of food available - and the mingling of different cultures together. Italy might have great pizza - Canada has great pizza and great pho. Canada would be incredibly boring if we could all point to one or two dishes that unite us. The author also needs to really do some research about Thanksgiving's origins - and all the countries (including Canada) that celebrated it before the US.
6
Perhaps you should read Pierre Berton's 'Why We Act Like Canadians' to understand our psyche. As far as our cuisine, if you really want to publish a ground-breaking column on Canadian Thanksgiving recipes, you can contact me: I have my mother's 1947 edition of a 1923 high-school home economics cookbook published out of Toronto. There's an entire chapter devoted to "Foods Cooked in Deep Fat," for instance...
4
It makes more sense to have Thanksgiving when the harvest is over, or at least during the harvest. The end of November does not coincide with celebration of
reaping what you have sown, so this "holiday" seems much more in keeping with
the rhythms of the agricultural season, rather than something arbitrary.
reaping what you have sown, so this "holiday" seems much more in keeping with
the rhythms of the agricultural season, rather than something arbitrary.
10
Thanksgiving has nothing to do with harvest. It was proposed after Gettysburg by Lincoln as a time of reflection. Rosevelt selected November, at the "recommendation" of retailers to provide an extra shopping week-end for Christmas. Harvest had nothing to do with it. It was all about money and retail shopping.
2
Actually Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving before the Americans did and before that it was celebrated in Europe. Check out this article.
http://www.ibtimes.com/canadian-thanksgiving-2014-3-ways-holiday-differs...
http://www.ibtimes.com/canadian-thanksgiving-2014-3-ways-holiday-differs...
12
You do realize there was, and is, a shared history until the Revolution? We were all the same people, and from that point back are still all the same people in terms of having the same history? Canadians weren't Canadians until 1867.Real historians don't even describe the Revolution as the British vs. Americans, because the Loyalists were Americans. The British vs. the rebels is the more accurate description. The Dutch incorporated Albany in 1610, and the insipid Pilgrims landed in 1920.
"You do realize there was, and is, a shared history until the Revolution? We were all the same people, and from that point back are still all the same people in terms of having the same history"
Not quite Mrs Cleaver...
Prior to the revolution, and up until 1759, what was then Canada was mostly French (Nouvelle-France) That inconveveint historical fact still reverbates throughout the Canadian culture, which as I pointed out in an earlier post, is multi faceted, not unlike American culture. Lousiana comes to mind.
Not quite Mrs Cleaver...
Prior to the revolution, and up until 1759, what was then Canada was mostly French (Nouvelle-France) That inconveveint historical fact still reverbates throughout the Canadian culture, which as I pointed out in an earlier post, is multi faceted, not unlike American culture. Lousiana comes to mind.
4
And we are proud of Paul Revere, with good reason. But read about Laura Secord (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord ) and what she went through - her walk - to warn the British that the Americans were coming!
10
Funny article. I'm Canadian. I celebrate Thanksgiving, but don't know why. My Jewish mother would tend to celebrate Sukkot, which is a kind of fall harvest festival, and my Catholic father would celebrate Thanksgiving, but it has no relationship to Christianity (Catholicism). I think of it as a nationalistic fall harvest festival for non Jews. My mom makes a delicious fall harvest soup! We don't associate it - thankfully - with football or violent and deadly consumerism, as our southern neighbours seem to do. And, we don't serve that very peculiar - and might I add terribly disgusting - potato and marshmallow dish. What's up with that dish? Seriously.
8
As a Canadian, can I just say that I loved this. Happy Gobble Gobble Day y'all!
1
You marvel that Canadian Thanksgiving happens so "early". Are you serious? Have you never been to Canada? There is nothing to be thankful for in Canada at the end of November.
13
Hello, NY Times. If it begs the question, answer it. Why are doughnuts so important to Canadians? The last paragraph made it sound like there was a specific reason but didn't elaborate. Many people love doughnuts, but there isn't a special national I'm prance to them. Maybe I missed something in the article?
1
They're not.
5
If this last paragraph is read properly, you will realize that it was a tongue-in-cheek comment regarding Americans' unfamiliarity with Canadian customs.
If however the guest had brought Poutine instead, it may have earned them extra points!
If however the guest had brought Poutine instead, it may have earned them extra points!
That is a joke as Canada's largest coffee and doughnut factory promotes their Canadian ness while not actually being particularly Canadian. I believe a lot of head office type people do work in Canada but the big bosses reside elsewhere.
I love roasted turkey. I wish I had a neighbor from Canada.Roasted turkey in October and then on November Wonderful !
1
Yeah, after a big Thanksgiving turkey dinner, nothing hits the spot for desert like a nice doughnut or two. Ugh.
2
Yeah that was weird. Never had donuts after thanksgiving or even thought of them being Canadian.
1
Hmmm another example of U.S. "duh" when it comes to Canada.
I lived in the U.S. for 8 years...I observed how commercial the U.S. thanksgiving is in terms of how materialism pervades this holiday...let's use this to promote Christmas spending, and this does not let up until xmas !
Glad to be celebrating in Canada this year.
I lived in the U.S. for 8 years...I observed how commercial the U.S. thanksgiving is in terms of how materialism pervades this holiday...let's use this to promote Christmas spending, and this does not let up until xmas !
Glad to be celebrating in Canada this year.
10
The hugely funny thing about this article is that Thanksgiving originated In Canada (1578), migrated up to the New England colonies and was first celebrated there about a 1/2 century later (1621).
But hey! I have read articles vowing that the only REAL maple syrup is from Vermont or New Hampshire! (giggle)
But hey! I have read articles vowing that the only REAL maple syrup is from Vermont or New Hampshire! (giggle)
19
The timing is better for Canadian Thanksgiving - it leaves just enough time to get excited for Turkey again, and the weather is still warm. There's also plenty of Canadian variations on meals - you just need to dig a little further. Also: the butter tart.
6
I do prefer a Thursday, however, since Friday is so often included. It allows more time for family, and to enjoy the day. On a Monday, there is the rush to get dinner, then the rush to pack it up so everyone can head home for work tomorrow. Friday would be nice.
We actually do it on Saturday. Then we have Sunday and Monday to relax with family.
Where did Mlle. Borel get her flag?
And a bee-ee-eer in a tree ...
Take off, eh?
Take off, eh?
3
Hello from Barrie, Ontario, Canada,
Thanksgiving is an old English tradition, probably originally a harvest-ending festival. It is celebrated in UK and Canada in Oct., per end of harvest season.
In an American newspaper, there was a report of a diary from Plymouth recounting the first "thanksgiving" celebration in New England. According to the report, that thanksgiving dinner occurred in Oct.
If true, I wonder how Americans came to celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of Nov.?
Andrew Biemiller
Thanksgiving is an old English tradition, probably originally a harvest-ending festival. It is celebrated in UK and Canada in Oct., per end of harvest season.
In an American newspaper, there was a report of a diary from Plymouth recounting the first "thanksgiving" celebration in New England. According to the report, that thanksgiving dinner occurred in Oct.
If true, I wonder how Americans came to celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of Nov.?
Andrew Biemiller
3
Also we tend to put a bit of maple syrup in our pumpkin pie.
1
The article might just as readily have been titled "Item #437 that American don't know about their closest neighbours" (yes, with a "u" thank you Microsoft spell check).
5
Canadians didn't borrow Thanksgiving from the US. Thanksgiving in Canada actually goes back to 1578 in Newfoundland, when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony of gratitude for surviving the journey from Europe.Americans, led by the Puritans and the Mayflower, didn't begin their annual tradition until 1621 – 43 years later. And, as far as the food goes, yes, for the most part Canadians and Americans serve the same food as it is a harvest meal however we do have "Mashed Turnip and Carrot" and "Roasted Potatoes" but personally, I did start making the American version of sweet potato with marshmallows. Anything from the fall harvest is fair "game"
7
a few notes on Canadian thanksgiving food for the author and others:
1) Sweet Potatoes are not typically served, traditionally it is mashed white potatoes instead, and nary a marshmallow to be seen
2) Cranberry sauce as well as gravy are served as accompaniments to the turkey. Most grocery stores stock fresh cranberries at this time specifically for the making of fresh sauce (although when I was growing up the sauce came from a can)
3) Yes on the pumpkin pie, sometimes on the apple pie and NEVER on the pecan pie (unless someone in your family is American)
4) Turkey is roasted, not deep fried
I hope I didn't miss anything
1) Sweet Potatoes are not typically served, traditionally it is mashed white potatoes instead, and nary a marshmallow to be seen
2) Cranberry sauce as well as gravy are served as accompaniments to the turkey. Most grocery stores stock fresh cranberries at this time specifically for the making of fresh sauce (although when I was growing up the sauce came from a can)
3) Yes on the pumpkin pie, sometimes on the apple pie and NEVER on the pecan pie (unless someone in your family is American)
4) Turkey is roasted, not deep fried
I hope I didn't miss anything
9
"I hope I didn't miss anything"
The stuffing!
The stuffing!
2
Pecan pie, no, but sugar pie is a staple of every French Canadian celebration and is similar lacking the pecans.
2
They have to hold in October-- before they're covered up in snow.
2
Shocking how ignorant Americans are of their quiet, circumspect neighbors to the North...
5
Given American politics it's safer that way.
2
True, including about the quiet, circumspect part. No offense meant.
Even Siri is unaware of Canadian Thanksgiving. Someone needs to tell her.
Typically, it's a harvest celebration as well as statutory holiday in every province.
BTW for many of us with prairie roots it's apple pie with sharp cheddar!
Typically, it's a harvest celebration as well as statutory holiday in every province.
BTW for many of us with prairie roots it's apple pie with sharp cheddar!
6
It's actually not a statutory holiday in several provinces. I know because while we can take the day off it is not a paid day.
There are enough Canadians working for Apple in Cupertino there is NO excuse!
1
Hmm, didn't know that. I thought the only holiday that was fooled around with was the "Family" Day in February.......
Er, we have a problem of semantics. Canada is in America. Or was last time I looked at the map of North America, which, I believe, also includes Mexico. Can we come up with a better name than American, which technically includes residents of Tierra del Fuego?
3
We *have* no alternate denonym, and frankly we don't need one.
Except that there is no "Mexico." It is the United Mexican States. So there.
Canadian Thanksgiving is quieter than the US one. For one thing it is not associated with mega sales events etc. It is supposed to be about thanksgiving in a literal sense.
5
I lived in Regina. Thanksgiving is a quiet Monday off work, nothing more. DK about all this food thing or any significant celebration.
3
Having lived in the prairies all my life, I am surprised by this statement. Anyone I ever knew has a big dinner or at least speaks apologetically if they don't. In my household the traditional turkey is most often baked in a Salvadorian sauce which a old Spanish guy told me was just like how his mother cooked turkey in Spain. I suspect that many other households have similar modifications based on their family backgrounds.
1
To me, Canadian Thanksgiving is really the end of what can be passed as "summer" holiday. I.e. quite a few Ontario attractions operate on Summer schedule from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, and what can be bought at farmers' markets definitely shifts out of summer mode by this time.
3
As a Filipino, I perceive Canada as just "another state" of the US, a country so dominant and so powerful politically and culturally that it overshadows whatever is unique about Canada.
1
My experience with Americans who visit or move to Canada is that at first they see little or no difference between the 2 countries. On the surface they seem very much alike. But usually after spending from 6 months to a year here, they realize it is a very different place with a very different temperament.
3
You're assessment could not be more incorrect.
2
You just need to learn more about the country. With your logic one could say the Philippines is just another state of China - which is obviously not the case.
6
When my mom was alive, we once had (U.S.A.) Thanksgiving dinner in Montreal (late November). The very posh restaurant had the traditional menu then, but were not happy about it . Or at least our server wasn't.
Now, I celebrate Thanksgiving (in NYC) with good friends who are like family.
But I'll be in Toronto this weekend, just because I love Toronto, if anyone wants to invite me for Sunday dinner... :).
And please explain about the doughnuts.
Now, I celebrate Thanksgiving (in NYC) with good friends who are like family.
But I'll be in Toronto this weekend, just because I love Toronto, if anyone wants to invite me for Sunday dinner... :).
And please explain about the doughnuts.
2
French Canadian Cuisine has very unique and anything but bland dishes, one called "cipaille" that is typically served at Christmas. Thanksgiving is indeed a quieter affair in the Great White North, but generally speaking, Canadians are quieter by nature. Good & funny read. Thanks.
5
Had a early Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house last weekend and cipaille was on the menu. So much left over, is it even possible to make it small?
The origin of cipaille is disputed. Some say it is Anglo-American in origin, from "sea pie". Some feel it has French origins. The former view has a lot going for it, IMO. The National Post in Toronto had a recent story on cipaille, easy to check online.
I agree with you Quebec has many distinctive dishes and many that are French, originally.
Kitchener-Waterloo has a great Mennonite culinary tradition, similar to Pennsylvania's.
I agree with you Quebec has many distinctive dishes and many that are French, originally.
Kitchener-Waterloo has a great Mennonite culinary tradition, similar to Pennsylvania's.
1
Actually, I knew. Most everyone I know knew. Sad that residents of the United States (Canadians and Mexicans are Americans, too) are so ignorant of other countries - even those adjacent to our country, that you would need to write this article. I guess I should say "sad that residents of the United States are so ignorant." Full stop. Because that really is the case. The mere fact that we call ourselves Americans when there are people in countries from Canada to Argentina who are also American pretty much says it all about our ill-deserved sense of singularity and superiority.
2
I've never understood why American Thanksgiving is so late in the year. I've always understood the holiday to be centred around harvest and being grateful for the bounty of the earth etc. In Canada, the last Thursday in November means the crops have been in for a couple of months and snow and frigid temps are pretty much guaranteed across the land. This would also apply to much of the northern half of America. Whereas the 2nd Monday in October means fall colours and farmers markets and lovely walks etc. Finally, Canadian Thanksgiving doesn't clash with the Christmas season. We're not having two huge celebratory dinners in 1 month. Love the USA and all their great traditions, but this is one case where I say "Viva la difference"!
3
In the U.S. "Thanksgiving" is about gluttony, and getting drunk, and watching football until the already near brain-dead fan is actually brain dead.
In the U.S. "Thanksgiving" is not a "harvest festival."
In the U.S. "Thanksgiving" is not a "harvest festival."
1
I believe Thanksgiving in Canada is better positioned on the calendar for Canadians to actually concentrate on giving thanks for what we have. Frankly, especially this time around, when one takes a critical look at the candidates running for the Presidency, it makes me even more thankful.
When I think of American Thanksgiving, it is Black Friday, over agressive shoppers and Thursday football and too close to Christmas anyway.
When I think of American Thanksgiving, it is Black Friday, over agressive shoppers and Thursday football and too close to Christmas anyway.
2
The ignorance United Staters have of Canada is sad as evidenced by this headline. Who knew? Anyone who recognizes what a remarkable country Canada is and has spent time learning about it.
One of the great tragedies for the United States was our failure to annex it at the end of the Revolutionary War or after 1812. But probably good for Canadians.
One of the great tragedies for the United States was our failure to annex it at the end of the Revolutionary War or after 1812. But probably good for Canadians.
1
I think the 1812 thing was kind of like an attempt to annex the rest of North America starting with the north. Check out some history and see why the white house is white.
What a lot of Bull. This is our harvest festival, held at harvest, and only people from the putative greatest country in the world would make fun of it.
5
Loved this article so much I almost choked on a doughnut while laughing. Thanksgiving was always a bigger cooking holiday than Christmas growing up. Turkey + ham + a lot of sides. True, it may not have been the most exotic fare, but being crowded around a table piled with comfort food still keeps me coming home each year.
1
Sorry, folks. The first Thanksgiving ceremony in the U.S. was in St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. The Spanish settlers under Pedro Menendez de Aviles gave thanks for their successful passage to Florida and ate pork sausage and garbanzo beans. The holiday based on the Pilgrims--if such a feast took place--did not happen until the century following the St. Augustine one.
Our family never celebrated American Thanksgiving as a phony meme to the Pilgrims but rather a time to treasure family and friends, be thankful for the year, and of course stuff ourselves to the gills with delicious food. Being from a family of immigrants, we had the turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, and so on, but also some Greek pastries, tiropita, and Greek olives with our salad. Really, this holiday is to most people all about being thankful, whether you are an American or a Canadian.
6
Harvest festivals have existed in Europe since pre-Christian times, and have been documented in the Christian church since the 3rd century. They are neither an American invention nor a Canadian one, and exist in many countries. Many non-Christian religions also have such festivals, for example the Jewish Sukkot. They usually take place in the Fall (after the harvest, obviously), and involve thanking the deity for a successful harvest. The pilgrim thing is nice, but it seems pretty clear than Thanksgiving follows in the tradition of harvest festivals, brought from Europe by the early (Christian) settlers.
2
Growing up Jewish in Toronto, Thanksgiving was pretty non-existent. My mother was tired of cooking big meals for Rosh Hoshana and all the other High Holy Days, so she just wanted to take that long-weekend and relax. And my father disliked turkey. I was a very deprived Canadian child.
2
From the Canadian Encyclopedia: Proclaimed by Parliament in 1879 as "a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed," Thanksgiving draws upon 3 traditions: harvest celebrations in European peasant societies for which the symbol was the cornucopia (horn of plenty); formal observances, such as that celebrated by Martin FROBISHER in the eastern Arctic in 1578--the first North American Thanksgiving--in which Frobisher and his crew gave thanks for their well-being; and the Pilgrims' celebration of their first harvest in Massachusetts (1621) involving the uniquely American turkey, squash and pumpkin.
Reading this, technically, the first North American Thanksgiving Was observed in 1578 in the Arctic. Although a different country, Canada also had and continues to have much to be thankful for, successful harvests to celebrate as well as family. Many of our crops are harvested before those south of us and having Thanksgiving in October gives the family celebration without the additional distractions surrounding Christmas being so close.
Reading this, technically, the first North American Thanksgiving Was observed in 1578 in the Arctic. Although a different country, Canada also had and continues to have much to be thankful for, successful harvests to celebrate as well as family. Many of our crops are harvested before those south of us and having Thanksgiving in October gives the family celebration without the additional distractions surrounding Christmas being so close.
3
Those who think Canadians are not culturally different.... are Americans. And yes there may be similarities in our choice of dishes, there are Canadian differences in Thanksgiving dinner: I think of green tomato chow, dainty lunch, and horseradish on my mashed potatoes at thanksgiving. The smell of summer savory mixing in the air with the aroma of fresh baked dinner rolls. I also think about walking around the trees, picking up coloured fall leaves to decorate the table; long sunny days, frost on the ground in early mornings. And remember, most of Canada is just too darn cold to hold thanksgiving in November! We are a unique Country, people and culture, and are not simply an extension of America. So yes dear friends, we have Thanksgiving in October... and we like it that way.
8
As with so many things, our Canadian neighbors have a lot more common sense. A harvest holiday in October make a lot more sense than one in late November. Cheers and pass the turkey, eh?
2
It is all about the Butter Tart. When living overseas I had to think long and hard about a food item that was different. I came up with Butter Tarts and Nanaimo Bars. During the week before Thanksgiving we ask our school children what they are thankful for and it is often written on a maple leaf. Our celebration is really about the harvest and getting ready for the long cold winter.
2
As Canadian who moved to the US I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at super-sizing of Thanksgiving here with more time off, football and the general buzz. It's
your most charming holidays with it's all inclusive celebration of thanks, family and gluttony.
At the risk of offending some turkeys I can heartily recommend celebrating both!
your most charming holidays with it's all inclusive celebration of thanks, family and gluttony.
At the risk of offending some turkeys I can heartily recommend celebrating both!
2
US is good at gluttony and being oafish on any number of issues
1
Well it seems to me it needs no explanation. The American holiday is the one that is somewhat out of whack if you ask me. Thanksgiving is harvest is Oktoberfest elsewhere. If any rationale is needed northern Europe and Canada have earlier harvests at their latitude. It's the time of the plentiful harvest for which we give thanks. Are American harvests in late November? In some areas maybe.
So happy Oktoberfest. Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving
We all have a lot to be thankful for.
So happy Oktoberfest. Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving
We all have a lot to be thankful for.
5
The first Canadian Thanksgiving (or as we call it, Thanksgiving) was held in 1578, when Martin Frobisher arrived in Newfoundland. He wanted to give thanks for his safe journey from England. Other European explorers did the same, with Samuel de Champlain documenting a "celebration of thanks" in Quebec in 1604.
Which actually means our first Thanksgiving came long before the 1621 version in the U.S.
Which actually means our first Thanksgiving came long before the 1621 version in the U.S.
6
Triumph refutes your date and claim and will get you to pay for the next White House Thanksgiving dinner.
2
Once when a states-side friend asked me when Canadians had Thanksgiving, I told them Columbus Day (or the day before).... so he asked "then when do Canadians celebrate Columbus Day?".
1
But many, if not most societies have some sort of holiday to celebrate the harvest. If Canada simply chose a different name for its holiday, I wonder how that would change the perceptions of our version in the US?
Turkey at Thanksgiving? In our bi-cultural (Can-Am) family, we follow Alvin Trillin's lead, and have spaghetti carbonara.
1
How can Americans not know there is such a thing? If you live within a few hours of the Canadian border, as I do, you should know a thing or two about your neighbors...
1
Not surprising, a few years ago I visited a client in NYC whom had done business with our company for years and during the conversation the Labor Day holiday came up. From a reasonably intellgent person relatively high up in the corporation, he honestly assumed LD was strictly an American holiday.
Never underestimate the limitless nature of American "paroachialism".
Never underestimate the limitless nature of American "paroachialism".
2
Since my parents moved to Florida, we have had a difficult time getting together for US Thanksgiving, as they prefer to drive and the holiday is just after their annual trip to the Bahamas.
So next year, we will be celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving as well as the US version. Mom and Dad will have an easier drive, the weather will be better, and honestly, any excuse to get together for a delightful harvest oriented meal is a good one!
(My paternal grandmother was from P.E.I., so we can have that as an excuse!)
No need to quibble--pie for everyone!
So next year, we will be celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving as well as the US version. Mom and Dad will have an easier drive, the weather will be better, and honestly, any excuse to get together for a delightful harvest oriented meal is a good one!
(My paternal grandmother was from P.E.I., so we can have that as an excuse!)
No need to quibble--pie for everyone!
2
Canadian Thanksgiving is a quiet affair. The U.S. version? Bigger and dare I say better! I am a Canadian who has lived in the U.S. for about 29 years. The biggest difference? Green bean casserole! I turned up my nose at it the first year but have been a devotee since Year 2. I have managed to convert all of my siblings. Crunchy, creamy deliciousness!
1
I'm a dual citizen living in Montreal but who grew up with American Thanksgivings. Yes, there's a bit of "its our own holiday, goddammit, do what if we didn't have Puritans." The food's the same. The difference is that (anecdotally) Jews here don't seem to pick up on it, which on the one hand is odd, given that it's a fairly secular celebration that revolves around fois and which should speak to at least secular Jews. In the other hand, more observant Jews are busy, barring Asch how Canadian Thanksgiving falls on or around RoshHashanah and Yom Kippur. It's my pleasure to introduce Canadians to the gentle celebrating of gratitude, a great able of plenty, friends who are far from their families, and football if desired. Everyone has always loved it with exceptional n of the Frenchman whose only comment to me, his hostess, as I presented the pumpkin pie, was that "In France we feed that to the pigs." Fine. Go there and eat that awful French food then. Wait....
Here we don't have "Canadian Thanksgiving." It's just Thanksgiving, as opposed to "American Thanksgiving" to the south.
4
As Mr. Wells said, there isn't an apocryphal story that all of us Canadians know about our Thanksgiving. I do know that the date really corresponds to the peak of our harvest (in areas where it isn't already winter) in some parts of the country. I have to say that I was always mystified by the Pilgrims and the Mayflower association with Thanksgiving in the States (even when I found out that those people were among my American ancestors). One difference I do not...sweet potatoes with marshmallows? yech...
1
Say Canadian friends. When do the Christmas sales start in the department stores up there? What would Thanksgiving be like without Black Friday. Do you guys have Black Friday? Just wondering.
1
No Black Friday. We have Boxing Day sales instead, which are the day after Christmas and are much better because you don't have to pretend to shop for anyone but your own selfish old self.
No.
Xmas sales start just after Halloween but get into high gear Mid-November. We don't really have black Friday, but in the past couple of years, American companies have been promoting it as a sales day the same day as yours. So far, it's a nice sale, but nobody lines up for it or anything.
Thanksgiving is a Harvest Festival. The harvest is in, the leaves are at their peak crimson and yellow and the weather is usually still warm. Family get-togethers are casual and don't have the tension and buildup of Christmas, which with Boxing Day is culturally what Thanksgiving is in the US.
I've lived in the US, through a few of your holidays, and Canadian thanksgivings are thankfully simpler, quieter, and barely commercial: in other words typically Canadian. As for desserts, gateau Breton, butter tarts, tarte au sucre, and Nanaimo bars are wonderful.
I've lived in the US, through a few of your holidays, and Canadian thanksgivings are thankfully simpler, quieter, and barely commercial: in other words typically Canadian. As for desserts, gateau Breton, butter tarts, tarte au sucre, and Nanaimo bars are wonderful.
9
Having lived in Canada for a few years in the 70s and being the designated cook I have to say that having Thanksgiving two months away from Christmas is pure genius and a blessing to working women.
It is such a chore to have to produce the two biggest meals of the year just four weeks apart when working full time.
Our company was deep into Y/E reports in November so I always had to go to work the day after. Hated it.
Oh Canada - your timing is perfect.
And I love Nanaimo bars.
It is such a chore to have to produce the two biggest meals of the year just four weeks apart when working full time.
Our company was deep into Y/E reports in November so I always had to go to work the day after. Hated it.
Oh Canada - your timing is perfect.
And I love Nanaimo bars.
3
Don't you just cringe when you see photos of Canadian school kids in Puritan costumes?
Those are Goths.
I've lived in Canada for about half of my life, and I've spent that half telling Canadians that the one and only mistake they made with Thanksgiving was putting it on a Monday. Thursday is the brilliant choice. Most Americans get a four-day weekend that way, which makes it possible to travel from long distances to celebrate with family. In Canada, whereas more people are off on the Thanksgiving holiday because retail stored are closed, it's only a three day weekend so you're not going to fly across the country for that. And no one actually eats the feast on Monday, since they all have to go to work the next day, so instead, it's served on Sunday. All in all, having it on Monday makes it a much less significant holiday.
1
As a Canadian who has lived in the U.S. for many years, I still find the American version of the holiday to be uncomfortably squished next to Christmas. It's like a rude person who sits too close to you on the bus.
3
After reading your reply I understand how you feel.
My mother explained to me years ago that Thanksgiving is a harvest festival, and the harvest comes earlier in Canada. That's why we celebrate it in October. If we waited till late November, parts of the country might have two feet of snow on the ground. That explanation has always made sense to me and I'm sticking with it.
31
One advantage of the Canadian Thanksgiving is that it is sufficiently annularly removed from Christmas, thus allowing those folks that are all "turkied-out" time to recover before they are subjected to the next great butterball onslaught.
I really don't know how Americans manage to survive TWO giant turkey festivities within (more or less) a month from each other.
Or do Americans have ham for Christmas? You'll have to me me here.
(Sorry if I appear a tad culturally ignorant - I agree it is indeed an unusual Canadian trait)
I really don't know how Americans manage to survive TWO giant turkey festivities within (more or less) a month from each other.
Or do Americans have ham for Christmas? You'll have to me me here.
(Sorry if I appear a tad culturally ignorant - I agree it is indeed an unusual Canadian trait)
6
We have rib roast. Would love to have something other than turkey on Thanksgiving, but am always voted down.
Movies aside, I would say most Americans I know usually have something other than turkey on Christmas (usually ham but sometimes other kinds of roasts). It often depends on where you are living and your background. My mother's Italian family would have fish (Feast of the Seven Fishes). My father's Québécois family would often have tortiere, as a matter of fact!
My son and I had Canadian thanksgiving in Sidney, BC last year at Theo's Place restaurant. These Greek friends of ours on Vancouver Island made all the great turkey, mashed potatoes and usual fixings. However, added were a vast number of traditional Greek dishes. It was great. The ouzo was especially important after that feast.
Then, we had thanksgiving back home in the states with the family several weeks later.
Great! We love thanksgiving!
We invited friends from France for U.S. thanksgiving and we found out that many French now celebrate it, too.
The thing these celebrations are really about for us are love and togetherness. That's why the day is so special we did it twice.
Then, we had thanksgiving back home in the states with the family several weeks later.
Great! We love thanksgiving!
We invited friends from France for U.S. thanksgiving and we found out that many French now celebrate it, too.
The thing these celebrations are really about for us are love and togetherness. That's why the day is so special we did it twice.
1
I spent American Thanksgiving in Canada one year. A restaurant offered the full turkey meal with all the traditional fixings. We walked in, and the place was a much louder than Canadian restaurants usually are -- being full of our fellow garrulous, large Americans feasting and sharing the holiday together. I felt so at home in the crowd! It was beautiful. A little taste of home.
P.S. The reason why Canada celebrates so much earlier is their climate is colder, making the harvest peak at a different time of year.
P.S. The reason why Canada celebrates so much earlier is their climate is colder, making the harvest peak at a different time of year.
7
English-Canadian culinary tastes are characterized by the fact that Air Canada dares to serve macaroni and cheese on its international flights. For distinctive and unusual dishes you have to go to Quebec, where you will find a meat pie with five different kinds of meat, or a ragout of pig's trotters. Those looking for a Rabelaisian Quebec food adventure should try to snatch reservations to the twice-yearly food feasts at the Sugar Shack, out in the countryside, of the irreverent and famous Pied de Cochon restaurant in Montreal. Foie gras, stuffed duck, ham, maple syrup, starters, dessert - all of impeccable quality for around US$60. Just read yelp about this. But what can you expect from a restaurant that serves poutine with foie gras!
1
Thanksgiving, in whatever country it is celebrated, is a Harvest Festival and that's why it is logical for it to be held in October and not long after the harvesting has taken place (November). U.S. Thanksgiving was set in late November by the then President Franklin Roosevelt ,during the height of the Great Depression, specifically to boost retail sale.
7
Which would make much more sense if you didn't realize that a) slaughtering season in the early days is later in the fall so you can keep the meat cold, so "harvest" is a long fall season, and b) Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday of November, not Roosevelt many decades later. Thanksgiving had been celebrated (and was a state holiday in many states) in late November from the beginning. This is just one of those silly "oh, Americans must to it wrong" critiques that doesn't bear up well to even a basic understanding of the historical facts.
1
Right on the button. For more details see: http://german.about.com/cs/culture/a/erntedankf.htm. I am sure there are other online sources too.
Born and raised in Canada and then emigrated to US on marriage.
My family and I spent a few years working overseas and in the expat community of Americans, Canadians and Brits, the Canadians revealed themselves at potluck parties when they appeared with Butter Tarts. They do at parties in the US also.
I have never seen Butter Tarts in US stores, but every grocery story and bakery in Ontario (for sure) has them.
My family and I spent a few years working overseas and in the expat community of Americans, Canadians and Brits, the Canadians revealed themselves at potluck parties when they appeared with Butter Tarts. They do at parties in the US also.
I have never seen Butter Tarts in US stores, but every grocery story and bakery in Ontario (for sure) has them.
7
My sentiments exactly- how could they forget to talk about butter tarts!! My favorite Canadian dessert:) Does anyone have a great butter tart recipe to share?
And don't forget the vast array of buttertart festivals in Ontario! You can do a full weekend tour just taste testing the buttertarts and taking in the fall leaves as you go.
Fun read but I don't really think of Thanksgiving in Canada as borrowed from the US. I have a lingering memory from Mythology 101 that celebrating the harvest dates back 100s or 1000s of years.
Your comment regarding maple flavour (that's Canadian spelling) caught my attention too. My nephew was born at Thanksgiving time so we celebrate his birthday on the holiday weekend. Although there is more than enough pumpkin and apple pie to feed an army, my maple walnut chiffon cake is always requested. It's an awesome recipe, published in the USA by BHG - in the 60s I believe. The browned butter frosting is tooth achingly sweet but it's a once a year deal.
In any case, where ever you celebrate I hope your Thanksgiving will be awesome.
Your comment regarding maple flavour (that's Canadian spelling) caught my attention too. My nephew was born at Thanksgiving time so we celebrate his birthday on the holiday weekend. Although there is more than enough pumpkin and apple pie to feed an army, my maple walnut chiffon cake is always requested. It's an awesome recipe, published in the USA by BHG - in the 60s I believe. The browned butter frosting is tooth achingly sweet but it's a once a year deal.
In any case, where ever you celebrate I hope your Thanksgiving will be awesome.
8
Giving thanks for the harvest has been a Christian celebration in Europe since the Middle Ages. Dutch Protestants instituted a "Dankstond voor het Gewas" as a component of the annual liturgical cycle, and similar events existed elsewhere in Europe and among the Roman Catholic community. I have not researched British roots, but the Pilgrim Fathers resided in Dutch Leiden and must have been familiar with this celebration. The turkey, on the other hand, is a distinctive North American component, and as hard to find in Europe as cranberry sauce. (The poor Mexican bird is misnamed because it reached England via Spain - a usual transit port for goods from the Middle East.)
6
Actually, the turkey is not strictly a "Mexican bird". It's native to the forests of North America, from northern Mexico, throughout the midwest and eastern United States, and into southeastern Canada.
However, it was Spaniards who discovered, perhaps within their territory of what is now Mexico, the culinary delights of this bird and exported it back to the markets in Turkey, a major trading center of the time. From there it made its way into Europe from Turkey and thus its present-day name.
Several years back, the NYTimes did a fascinating piece on this subject. I've included the link below for those interested in the convoluted, multicultural history of what's become a truly American icon.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/opinion/the-turkeys-turkey-connecti...
However, it was Spaniards who discovered, perhaps within their territory of what is now Mexico, the culinary delights of this bird and exported it back to the markets in Turkey, a major trading center of the time. From there it made its way into Europe from Turkey and thus its present-day name.
Several years back, the NYTimes did a fascinating piece on this subject. I've included the link below for those interested in the convoluted, multicultural history of what's become a truly American icon.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/opinion/the-turkeys-turkey-connecti...
1
Actually, the turkey is not necessarily a "Mexican bird" but native to the forests of North America, from northern Mexico, throughout the midwest and eastern United States, and into southeastern Canada.
However, Spaniards did discover (perhaps in their colonial territory of what is today Mexico) its culinary delights and exported it to the markets of Turkey, a major trading center of the time. It then found its way into Europe from Turkey, hence its name.
Several years ago, the NYTimes did a fascinating article about it and I've included the link below for those interested in the convoluted, multicultural history of this American icon.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/opinion/the-turkeys-turkey-connecti...
However, Spaniards did discover (perhaps in their colonial territory of what is today Mexico) its culinary delights and exported it to the markets of Turkey, a major trading center of the time. It then found its way into Europe from Turkey, hence its name.
Several years ago, the NYTimes did a fascinating article about it and I've included the link below for those interested in the convoluted, multicultural history of this American icon.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/opinion/the-turkeys-turkey-connecti...
I grew up in the Northeast and can tell you that I saw enough wild turkeys running around that it was pretty clear they weren't from Mexico....
History
According to some historians, the first celebration of Thanksgiving in North America occurred during the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England, in search of the Northwest Passage.[1] His third voyage, to the Frobisher Bay area of Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, set out with the intention of starting a small settlement. His fleet of fifteen ships was outfitted with men, materials, and provisions. However, the loss of one of his ships through contact with ice, along with many of the building materials, was to prevent him from doing so. The expedition was plagued by ice and freak storms, which at times scattered the fleet; on meeting again at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, "... Mayster Wolfall, a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Counsel to be their minister and preacher, made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankful to God for their strange and miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places ...". They celebrated Communion and "The celebration of divine mystery was the first sign, scale, and confirmation of Christ's name, death and passion ever known in all these quarters."[12]
Years later, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, from 1604, also held feasts of thanks. They even formed the Order of Good Cheer and held feasts with their First Nations neighbors, at which food was shared.
According to some historians, the first celebration of Thanksgiving in North America occurred during the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England, in search of the Northwest Passage.[1] His third voyage, to the Frobisher Bay area of Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, set out with the intention of starting a small settlement. His fleet of fifteen ships was outfitted with men, materials, and provisions. However, the loss of one of his ships through contact with ice, along with many of the building materials, was to prevent him from doing so. The expedition was plagued by ice and freak storms, which at times scattered the fleet; on meeting again at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, "... Mayster Wolfall, a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Counsel to be their minister and preacher, made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankful to God for their strange and miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places ...". They celebrated Communion and "The celebration of divine mystery was the first sign, scale, and confirmation of Christ's name, death and passion ever known in all these quarters."[12]
Years later, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, from 1604, also held feasts of thanks. They even formed the Order of Good Cheer and held feasts with their First Nations neighbors, at which food was shared.
19
Odd that you say Canada has no distinctive cuisine when French Canadian food - particularly the unique New World dishes - is truly exceptional. I realize there is a cultural divide between the bland Anglophones and the flavorsome Francophones but French Canadian chefs have gladdened my heart in such far away outposts as Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.
13
Exactly. I still make some of the dishes my grandmother made around New Year's.
As a US expat/dual citizen living in Canada for a decade I can say that Thanksgiving is just not a big deal here. We, frankly, often forget and rush out to get a turkey on Sunday. When we arrived we asked lots of people which day they ate Thanksgiving dinner and most said Monday, but it varies. To me, that's like saying that going to church on a Tuesday is like going on Sunday.
My Canadian-American family only really care about the "real" Thanksgiving in November, but the kids are in school and no one else cares, even our expat friends have lost the enthusiasm, so it's generally dull.
But that's about par for Canada, or at least Vancouver, frankly. Generally dull--with gorgeous mountains and sea.
Around here Thanksgiving also marks the start of the rain, so it's not exactly a propitious moment in the calendar. That's why we like Easter--it tells you the rains will be stopping in a month or two.
My Canadian-American family only really care about the "real" Thanksgiving in November, but the kids are in school and no one else cares, even our expat friends have lost the enthusiasm, so it's generally dull.
But that's about par for Canada, or at least Vancouver, frankly. Generally dull--with gorgeous mountains and sea.
Around here Thanksgiving also marks the start of the rain, so it's not exactly a propitious moment in the calendar. That's why we like Easter--it tells you the rains will be stopping in a month or two.
4
Watching the over-the-top American way, from elections that last an aeon, to Thanksgiving that rates as Chinese New Year does, to football games that are an excuse for all out circus, well, I will not be envious.
I give thanks that we do not do things in the American way. And before you think that is sour grapes, take a look at our ballots ( short and sweet), our elections, equally short and sweet, our judges, mercifully not elected, our parliament, not bombarded by lobbyists, and our food, which borrows from everywhere . Oh, and did I forget one payer medical coverage for everyone?
Lots to be thankful for . You may even be thinking of joining us if your mad, bad election goes you-know-where.
I give thanks that we do not do things in the American way. And before you think that is sour grapes, take a look at our ballots ( short and sweet), our elections, equally short and sweet, our judges, mercifully not elected, our parliament, not bombarded by lobbyists, and our food, which borrows from everywhere . Oh, and did I forget one payer medical coverage for everyone?
Lots to be thankful for . You may even be thinking of joining us if your mad, bad election goes you-know-where.
3
Perhaps Canada could send California some much-needed rain?
We are Canadians who lived in Florida for six years, a few months at a time and were there for American Thanksgiving all six years. I feel that the Canadian version works a bit better timing wise - I was always told we harvest a month earlier due to being further north so our holiday is a corresponding month earlier - due to the non stop partying and holidaying that begins with a Halloween. BTW, we are not as het up about Halloween as Americans, it's rather more a young kids annual candy gathering event. It seems that there was no respite from the constant celebrations and that by Christmas time, everybody us plain worn out. As a result, Christmas down in Florida seemed a much more subdued and low priority affair than those we had in Canada.
Food wise there were few differences, but these are distinct. A bit less sugar, a few more vegetables and we always had pumpkin and Saskatoon pies to chose from.
Made life long friends there, that I miss terribly now that we live full time on Vancouver a Island. But they have all visited here, been astounded by the bounty and beauty and learned a bit about the differences between us.
Food wise there were few differences, but these are distinct. A bit less sugar, a few more vegetables and we always had pumpkin and Saskatoon pies to chose from.
Made life long friends there, that I miss terribly now that we live full time on Vancouver a Island. But they have all visited here, been astounded by the bounty and beauty and learned a bit about the differences between us.
4
Here in Nova Scotia, we've been celebrating a Thanksgiving observance of sorts since 1606, when Jacques Cartier's Order of Good Cheer (L'Ordre de Bon Temps) offered food and fellowship to both French and Mi'kmaq around Poutrincourt's table at Port Royal Habitation. It was good to read a reference to this in an earlier comment. Our local Thanksgiving tends to be a harvest festival these days. It's more secular than religious among many families and friends - including mine - although various churches have made it the focus of their autumn theme, with generous donations of produce and preserves for the minister and plenty of "turkey suppers" in rural communities. As a child in the 1950s, I always enjoyed making the rounds of this supper circuit. Expressions of gratitude were also given to God.
But our Thanksgiving is most definitely not derived from the American festivities, which are very different in character from the Canadian version.
Folks hereabouts might be just as inclined to dine on rappie pie or lobster as turkey. Our table fare can be rather varied. We eat what we've got on hand, and also what the local cultures have to offer. Then there's poutine - which is a law unto itself and also has local variants. Each region has its own preferences so there's no single "Canadian Thanksgiving" protocol. Only the dates are the same across the country.
But our Thanksgiving is most definitely not derived from the American festivities, which are very different in character from the Canadian version.
Folks hereabouts might be just as inclined to dine on rappie pie or lobster as turkey. Our table fare can be rather varied. We eat what we've got on hand, and also what the local cultures have to offer. Then there's poutine - which is a law unto itself and also has local variants. Each region has its own preferences so there's no single "Canadian Thanksgiving" protocol. Only the dates are the same across the country.
40
You mean Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec City in 1608, not Jacques Cartier, who claimed Canada for the King of France in 1534 and visited what is now Montreal in 1535, calling the hill Mont Royal.
Thanksgiving in Canada actually goes back to 1578 in Newfoundland, when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony of gratitude for surviving the journey from Europe. Americans, led by the Puritans and the Mayflower, didn't begin their annual tradition until 1621 – 43 years later.
22
I'm married to an American and did attend one American Thanksgiving down there with my in-laws. Aside from everything being generally larger and louder, the main difference was the sweet potatoes with marshmallows. I had always assumed people didn't really eat that--I'd heard of it but I just couldn't believe it. It still seems bizarre to me. I don't think it's served much or ever in Canada.
34
I'm a Canadian living at home and a Canadian in-law contributes sweet potatoes with marshmallows every year to our Thanksgiving feast. I really don't "get it" - sugar topped veggies - but I always eat a serving to keep the peace.
I saw it once. A friends mother had US relatives and was told about it. I had Thanksgiving dinner with them one year when she served it.
Everyone thought it was desert.
Everyone thought it was desert.
I love Thanksgiving. Nothing better than sharing a table with family and friends. Nice that the Americans celebrate it too.
38
An amusing article which tells a fundamental truth. Americans in large part are fundamentally ignorant about Canada. As an American (born on Manhattan, raised in NY) wed to a Canadian, living in BC and Massachusetts, I hope that doesn't change. I hope anyone in the US interested in Canada will focus on Ontario and leave us on the west coast alone.
12
Fairly certain that anyone who has ever owned a wall calendar might be aware that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October. I envy the timing of their harvest holiday of gratitude, free from the trappings of the garish shopping frenzy that ensues here in the US even before the leftovers of the meal have been put away.
28
There is something of a Canadian icon in the photo of Hugh Acheson: the Hudson Bay blanket. This blanket was one of the things traded for furs by the Hudson Bay Company in the True North in the 17th century. It is (I believe) the oldest company in Canada, incorporated by English royal charter in 1670.
15
I enjoyed in the photo that Hugh was showing his Canadian pride :)
"In Quebec, where Protestants are a minority, the new holiday caught on slowly. L’Action de Grâce, as it is called, is still somewhat optional, and the turkey-and-stuffing program is far from universal."
Partnered, and now married, to a Quebecer since 1997. His first Canadian Thanksgiving was with me in his apartment in Montreal in 1998 and finding a fresh turkey was not easy then. Most of his, and now our, friends and family were amused, considering it an anglophone holiday....like Canada Day (which they gladly take off - but they CELEBRATE St. John Batiste on June 24th).
Holiday food being meat pies (game) and pate, sugar pies, maple anything, and frozen wild blueberries, cheeses, great bread, and more song and dance than I'd seen growing up in New Jersey (and we partied plenty).
He still considers it a "holiday for blokes" but humors me.
Partnered, and now married, to a Quebecer since 1997. His first Canadian Thanksgiving was with me in his apartment in Montreal in 1998 and finding a fresh turkey was not easy then. Most of his, and now our, friends and family were amused, considering it an anglophone holiday....like Canada Day (which they gladly take off - but they CELEBRATE St. John Batiste on June 24th).
Holiday food being meat pies (game) and pate, sugar pies, maple anything, and frozen wild blueberries, cheeses, great bread, and more song and dance than I'd seen growing up in New Jersey (and we partied plenty).
He still considers it a "holiday for blokes" but humors me.
6
After having lived in the states for 12 years I’ve always found the American holiday rhythm: Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukah, New Years Eve feels like an uninterrupted festive crescendo. The Canadian rhythm: Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en, Remembrance Day, Christmas/Hanukkah, Boxing Day, then New Years, has a different flavour. After the corn stalks and turkey décor are replaced with jack o lanterns, the spookiness of Hallowe’en shifts easily to the morosity and solemnity of Remembrance Day (where Canadian school kids of my generation were traumatized at lengthy school assemblies that described the horrors WWI), reflected in the grim November skies. Then an ambiguous shift to Yuletide in December brings you back up, with a big sigh of relief and belt loosening (or maybe power shopping) on Boxing Day. New Years celebrations hold back for one sweet night the cold endless agony of January and February.
23
Why does everything need to be compared to the American version? Our thanksgiving may not be yours, you can keep the cornbread stuffing and the soupy green beans. It's our version of our holiday. I lived In the US for many many years and loved thanksgiving there too. It's just different. I am busy getting the turkey and the ham and all fixings organized for our large extended family (dressing...not stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussel sprouts and delicata squash and carrots, pumpkin pie and apple crisp). It's a wonderful holiday for walks and playing outside with the kids and evenings with games or movies. So we aren't like you, I think the way things are going in your country these days, we are OK with that.
14
Amen.
3
According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the first North American Thanksgiving took place in the eastern Arctic in 1578.
"Proclaimed by Parliament in 1879 as 'a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed,' Thanksgiving draws upon 3 traditions: harvest celebrations in European peasant societies for which the symbol was the cornucopia (horn of plenty); formal observances, such as that celebrated by Martin FROBISHER in the eastern Arctic in 1578--the first North American Thanksgiving--in which Frobisher and his crew gave thanks for their well-being; and the Pilgrims' celebration of their first harvest in Massachusetts (1621) involving the uniquely American turkey, squash and pumpkin."
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day/
"Proclaimed by Parliament in 1879 as 'a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed,' Thanksgiving draws upon 3 traditions: harvest celebrations in European peasant societies for which the symbol was the cornucopia (horn of plenty); formal observances, such as that celebrated by Martin FROBISHER in the eastern Arctic in 1578--the first North American Thanksgiving--in which Frobisher and his crew gave thanks for their well-being; and the Pilgrims' celebration of their first harvest in Massachusetts (1621) involving the uniquely American turkey, squash and pumpkin."
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day/
1
I have always assumed that our Thanksgiving in Canada, originated in the Harvest Sunday celebrated at harvest time in the Christian churches and probably going back to ancient pagan festivals also giving thanks for their harvests. Is "Harvest Sunday" not celebrated throughout the world? As far back as I can remember, the churches were decorated with the abundant fruits and crops from neighbouring farms and communities gave thanks.
5
As an American living in Italy for 39 years here are my thoughts: Just so I can pat myself on the back, I've known about the Canadian Thanksgiving for about 20 years...harvest festivals go back as far as the earliest human civilizations...although there is no one date for an Italian Thanksgiving, all year long there are many different sagre (festivals) of various food stuffs and wine too, based on what is in season. Stands are set up, people from the various towns cook, long tables are set up and everyone eats together, you do have to pay, but the costs are very minimal. I do make the American Thanksgiving dinner: freshly butchered organic turkey, stuffing (herbs from my garden), a potato and vegetable gratin and a fruit torte. No marshmallows and jello (ewww), and nothing from a box or a can. And there are no frozen turkeys in Italy, contrary to what you might have seen in that stupid film Eat Pray Love. The most important thing is to express your thanks for this day, that we can eat, that we do not live in a war torn place, that we are with people we love (hopefully) and that we are still alive to enjoy a wonderful feast. Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians and to all who celebrate it.
7
Canada and the USA also share Labor Day, on the same day.
I wish they'd share the Atlantic Time Zone with us, now that winter is coming back.
I wish they'd share the Atlantic Time Zone with us, now that winter is coming back.
2
Actually we have Labour Day
1
Thanks for the funny bits about us Canadians, eh? But as several readers have already pointed out, for most of us, Thanksgiving is a religious, not a nationalistic, holiday. It is when we give thanks to God for the bounty of this year's harvest. Even many families who no longer attend church, let alone say mealtime grace, still send up a prayer of thanks before everyone digs in. Tea with your pie?
3
I understand how what seems like a strictly religious holiday would be seen as something to be left behind with other superstitions. However, the attitude of gratitude for the bounty we all share, especially when thinking of the incredible deprivation occurring in other parts of the world, transcends all religion. Even as an atheist, I still see Thanksgiving as an important time to be with my family, reflect on my incredible good fortune, and consider what I can do to make this planet a tiny bit better.
Here in the US, it's also seen as the one truly national holiday that transcends all religions (unlike Christmas) to celebrate family and community. That communal aspect of it in the American tradition is especially important for a nation of immigrants from all corners of the globe. I do feel particularly American on that day knowing nearly all Americans, regardless of religion, ethnicity, and other various orientations, are coming together in celebration.
My youngest sister married a Canadian and is now living in Toronto. It's been a fascinating experience to learn about the two Thanksgivings through her eyes, both of which she and her Canadian in-laws celebrate wholeheartedly and without the need for religion.
Coffee with your pie?
Here in the US, it's also seen as the one truly national holiday that transcends all religions (unlike Christmas) to celebrate family and community. That communal aspect of it in the American tradition is especially important for a nation of immigrants from all corners of the globe. I do feel particularly American on that day knowing nearly all Americans, regardless of religion, ethnicity, and other various orientations, are coming together in celebration.
My youngest sister married a Canadian and is now living in Toronto. It's been a fascinating experience to learn about the two Thanksgivings through her eyes, both of which she and her Canadian in-laws celebrate wholeheartedly and without the need for religion.
Coffee with your pie?
9
You've misread the comments if you think people are resoundingly stating that Thanksgiving is a religious holiday in Canada. Yes, it is a day on which we give thanks, not only for the harvest, but also for the many blessings we have. That doesn't mean we are thanking a god for such things.
1
US Thanksgiving is simply a dressed-up harvest feast. Many places have them. What did the pilgrims have? A harvest feast.
3
About the doughnuts (not donuts) at the end of the article, they could have only been good if they came from Tim Hortons ;-)
8
The history of Thanksgiving in Canada can be traced back to the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England in search of the Northwest Passage. In this, his third, voyage to the Frobisher Bay area of Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, it was also the intention to start a small settlement and his fleet of 15 ships were so fitted out with men, materials and provisions for this purpose. However, the loss of one of his ships through contact with ice along with much of the building material was to prevent him from doing so. The expedition was plagued by ice and freak storms which at times had scattered the fleet and on meeting together again at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, “..Mayster Wolfall, a learned man, appoynted by hir Majesties Councell to be theyr minister and preacher, made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankefull to God for theyr strange and miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places,…” . They celebrated Communion and “The celebration of divine mystery was the first signe, scale, and confirmation of Christes name, death and passion ever known in all these quarters.”
1
I'm bewildered by Ms. Haddad Tompkins referring to Thanksgiving's origins being "a real whitewashing of a genocidal moment in our history."
Is Haddad Tompkins confusing Thanksgiving with Columbus Day, which honors a man known to massacre native people, who went so far beyond even the mores of his time that the King and Queen of Spain had him arrested and shipped home?
Where does she come up with genocide related to Thanksgiving? There are original documents about the harvest celebration/feast, documenting that the overwhelming number of attendees were Indians, and the event lasted for days. The friendship and cooperation between settlers and Indians lasted over 50 years, with Plimoth residents walking several days to Narragansett Bay to consult with their native friends like it was a trip across town. As origin stories go, the Thanksgiving story is pretty accurate.
Enough with ersatz history. For an accurate view of the early settlers and their relationship with natives, a good start is the excellent book Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick.
Is Haddad Tompkins confusing Thanksgiving with Columbus Day, which honors a man known to massacre native people, who went so far beyond even the mores of his time that the King and Queen of Spain had him arrested and shipped home?
Where does she come up with genocide related to Thanksgiving? There are original documents about the harvest celebration/feast, documenting that the overwhelming number of attendees were Indians, and the event lasted for days. The friendship and cooperation between settlers and Indians lasted over 50 years, with Plimoth residents walking several days to Narragansett Bay to consult with their native friends like it was a trip across town. As origin stories go, the Thanksgiving story is pretty accurate.
Enough with ersatz history. For an accurate view of the early settlers and their relationship with natives, a good start is the excellent book Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick.
2
Pete Wells discovers Canada! Loving the NYT's ramped-up Canadian coverage. Personally I'm more grateful for wild BC salmon and wild rice.
4
It is a minor holiday compared to the American extravaganza; there's no shopping madness eg: Black Friday. None of that. It's just a shared family meal at harvest time. The best thing is the food is in-season, the weather is still decent and there's no shopping or crowds involved. Basically: perfect!
7
My husband is from Canada, I am from the United States. The biggest difference between the two Thanksgivings is this: in Canada, the holiday is a three-day weekend, of which there are many throughout the year in both countries. In the United States, Thanksgiving is a four- or even five-day weekend. Which makes our holiday that much more an opportunity to relax, travel, celebrate. Like Christmas without the shopping!
1
Yes, it' a thing. If you are an company that works with Canadian customers inevitably there is a big meeting set for thur-fri of the last week of November. It maybe that Canadians have a lack of awareness of American holidays, or I suspect a unexpected passive-aggressive sense of humor.
Turkey and gravy with mashed potatoes is served year round in Canadian corporate lunch rooms. Really. Try having it in June. It changes how you feel about our Thanksgiving and Christmas bird.
Turkey and gravy with mashed potatoes is served year round in Canadian corporate lunch rooms. Really. Try having it in June. It changes how you feel about our Thanksgiving and Christmas bird.
2
There is a sidebar in an old history textbook that connects Canadian Thanksgiving to The Order of Good Cheer which was introduced by Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600's. The idea was to give the men (very few women at that time) a celebration during the dark dreary winters of New France.
3
As a Canadian American, our Thanksgiving dinner looks more like a Southern one as my husband, born and bred Canadian cooks the dishes better than Han my mother. We, Canadians, are very practical when it comes time our holidays. I agree with DKS that it is cottage closing day. As well, there are lots of Fall events. In our area, the tradition is to go to the biggest arts and craft show in the area. As for timing, it's much nicer to not have to worry about snow or bad weather stopping family to come and visit. It's also far enough away from Christmas to appreciate the time off then. Besides, American Thanksgiving was set as an act of congress not really when the Pilgrims and Native Americans got together. Our other holidays are the same. We have 'Family Day' in February, Easter whenever Easter is, Victoria Day in May, Canada Day in July and in August we have a holiday that should be called 'we need a three day weekend to enjoy the summer' but has gone through Many names. In Ontario, we also have our Spring Break in March. There is not a long period of time without one and we don't need an hour occasion to start one. Eh
1
Its the closest thing in Canada to a shared family holiday...without the cross country travel. Lots of meat of various types. Gravy and stuffing and cranberry sauce.
The fact it comes in Ontario at the best time for fall colour in the foilage is a bonus.
The fact it comes in Ontario at the best time for fall colour in the foilage is a bonus.
3
You all need to read the following article from the Huffington Post, particularly the chef in the article who stated that Canadian Food was quite like American food. My response to that is "EH!?"
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/28/canadian-food_n_2869764.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/06/28/canadian-food_n_2869764.html
2
What a fascinating list, thank you! (But gravy and cheese curds on french fries?)
1
Camille,
They serve "gravy and cheese curds on french fries" right here in San Jose downtown in San Pedro Square. If you haven't been there, it's a former brewery that is full of little food stands from many cultures, a wine bar and a regular bar. When you find the poutine place, also try the duck fat fries, yum!
They serve "gravy and cheese curds on french fries" right here in San Jose downtown in San Pedro Square. If you haven't been there, it's a former brewery that is full of little food stands from many cultures, a wine bar and a regular bar. When you find the poutine place, also try the duck fat fries, yum!
As a Canadian who spends most of the year living in the US I've grown a bit weary of the whole idea that Canadians have to explain ourselves to Americans. We don't. We're more different than you can imagine, even if we have the audacity to hold some things in common, like being thankful (I was unaware the US holds the patent on this practice), eating turkey, and making a tasty pie out of the humble pumpkin. We also have the audacity to do things differently, like refraining from combining our Thanksgiving celebration with non-stop football, manic 3:00 AM shopping, and Santa Claus. Oh, and our Thanksgiving has nothing to do with a mythical meal shared with Indians (another difference – Canadians have come to terms with the fact that North America isn't India; hence, the people who were living here when the Europeans arrived weren't - aren't - "Indians"). So if it isn't about Pilgrims, football, and shopping, what's the point of a Canadian Thanksgiving? I was raised with the simple understanding that we're giving thanks for the completion of the harvest. With winter hovering just over the horizon, having enough to eat - now, and during the long, cold months ahead - is worthy of our thanks and celebration. Tomorrow I'll fly to Ottawa and spend Thanksgiving weekend basking in a riot of red and yellow leaves, turkey, pie, and just being home. And for all of that, I'll be truly thankful.
32
You didn't feel the need to explain yourself, yet you did!
3
One small item the writer forgot to mention was that Thanksgiving marks the end of the cot tagging season. If a Canadian is fortunate enough to own a seasonal vacation home in Muskoka, the Laurentians or by any lake or seashore, the Thanksgiving weekend is the time when the cupboards are emptied, the cottage is cleaned one last time and the water pipes are drained for the coming winter. Thanksgiving is not a mark of an event but a signal of the turn of the season. Frost can be expected; snow may arrive but won't likely stay; leaves turn colour and fall. Thanksgiving is, then, not what is inside on the table but what is coming outside. Now excuse me, I have pipes to drain.
53
Exactly! Just like Canada's Independence Day (July 1st) is also Canada's "moving day" (most lease/rent contracts begin on July 1st). Yes, Canada also has an Independence Day which, by the way, is not the 4th of July. But there are so many things that the US ignores about its neighbours (both North and South) because, being a "superpower," the US can't help being so self-centered.
2
That's what I recall as well, from my life in North Dakota and our close neighbors! It really was a time for cleaning up, getting ready for winter, which of course was a common bond across our borders as we prepared to endure yet another Northern Plains winter. If you waited till November, you were too late. Your comment brought back that long-forgotten memory...thanks!
1
Actually, moving apartments on July 1 is only common in Quebec, which is quite culturally different from the rest of Canada. For most Quebecers, nationalist sentiment is celebrated on St. Jean-Baptiste day (he's he patron saint of Quebec), which usually falls about a week before July 1. July 1 is also not called "Independence Day" here, but "Canada Day."
3
As a Canadian living in the UK, I now understand why we celebrated Thanksgiving in October. Essentially ours wasn't concerned with the grand tale of pilgrims meeting native peoples. Canadian Thanksgiving really emerged out of the old Pagan traditions of celebration of the harvest - and despite not having an official day here in the UK, people still do celebrate the harvest moon with a feast. So why is it in October in Canada? Well, traditionally, the festival was held as close to the autumnal equinox as possible and on a Sunday. The equinox is 22/23 of September, and in Canada Thanksgiving is now officially the second Monday in October - though for my family and many others, it was always observed on Sunday - the best time for a big gathering of the family! You say that there is no typical Canadian dish for Thanksgiving, and that is certainly true. Many of the dishes are similar to those of Americans, but my family, being Irish/Ukrainian, celebrated with turkey, pumpkin pie, AND cabbage rolls and pierogies! I know many others whose ethnic backgrounds also informed their meals. It is probably the lasting distinction between the overall ethos of the Canadian and American approach to citizenship. Whereas America is seen as the big melting pot, Canada has always allowed us to approach our "Canadian-ness" by openly celebrating the "other" in us: we are equally Canadian and from the Ukraine, or Belgium, or Barbados. That and a November Thanksgiving is far too close to Christmas!
69
The Canadian approach is called the "stew pot" where each item retains its original shape and form and taste yet also melds with the rest of the pot and improves the overall flavour. I've always preferred that to the "melting pot" concept. I give thanks to Canada!
1
Having lived in Buffalo (a suburb of Toronto) and now Seattle (just down the road from their Vancouver and down the Salish Sea from Victoria), Canadian Thanksgiving is hardly unknown to me.
My favorite one was spending it Osoyoos after spending the morning at Minter Garden. We were driving on the Crows Nest Highway and stopping (on the Canadian side) at the Nighthawk border crossing (just so we could say we were t here--and yes, it was staffed at the time). We had a reservation in a local motel and we were hoping to go bowling (heck, there wasn't much else to do) that evening but the bowling alley and just about everything else was closed except for one restaurant which was actually pretty busy. We had a great dinner (not turkey, BTW) too.
Considering when the harvest in New England took place, Canadian Thanksgiving's timing makes more sense as a holiday than the US version, especially since the original holiday was also based on Sukkot, which occurs about that time of the year.
My favorite one was spending it Osoyoos after spending the morning at Minter Garden. We were driving on the Crows Nest Highway and stopping (on the Canadian side) at the Nighthawk border crossing (just so we could say we were t here--and yes, it was staffed at the time). We had a reservation in a local motel and we were hoping to go bowling (heck, there wasn't much else to do) that evening but the bowling alley and just about everything else was closed except for one restaurant which was actually pretty busy. We had a great dinner (not turkey, BTW) too.
Considering when the harvest in New England took place, Canadian Thanksgiving's timing makes more sense as a holiday than the US version, especially since the original holiday was also based on Sukkot, which occurs about that time of the year.
8
Nighthawk! The turnoff on Highway 3 is such a deserted area, I always used to call it the middle of nowhere on the drive back to the Boundary Country (Grand Forks) from Vancouver when I was going to UBC in the early 80's
1
As Canadian Snowbirds, my wife and I get to celebrate two Thanksgivings each year. One before we head to Florida and another when we settle in down south. Both are great. The U.S. version is a bigger event, helped by the fact it is a four-day weekend, allowing more time for families to travel to get-togethers. Plus the parade and all the pre-Christmas hype. It is what it is and we look forward to each one.
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Both countries celebrate the way that suits them. I love both holidays. This article though is missing so much. Many commenters rightly point out that there is an actual explanation for the Canadian holiday, and a nice one I think. But if the author had decided to interview expats from other parts of Canada - the Maritimes, the Prairies, the north - he would have found that there are great differences. On the Prairies, where I grew up, there is a great mix of Ukrainian/Polish food (even for those of us who are not) and First Nations dishes like fantastic wild rice and bannock. The meal I prepare for Canadian Thanksgiving is really quite different from than the one I prepare for U.S. Thanksgiving but I'm equally thankful.
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If Americans don't know anything about Canada, then this American is watching post-debate analysis on CBC News Network online. And a Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians, by the way.
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“It’s a classic example of the narcissism of small differences,” Ms. Borel said. “We are like these uppity little Hobbits taking pride in being a little better, a little more moral, a little more socially conscious than Americans. But when you look at both of us, you can’t see the difference, really. Even on the holiday that you associate with tryptophan comas and drawing hand turkeys, we still need to assert our subtle moral superiority over Americans.” Wow! for someone suggesting Canadians are guilty of moralizing, that is a serious display of condescending moralizing!
34
Oh please. Enough.
Canadian Thanksgivings do tend to be pretty bland. I have served candied yams to the horror of my Canadian guests (especially if I use melted marshmallows on top--that one always gets them), and some of the more elaborate jello creations w/fruit, cr. cheese, etc. is beyond their comprehension. But these are old, much loved, family favorites from my US family. Cad. Thanksgivings dinners tend to be turkey, stuffing, and bland undressed vegetables. One good thing: because it's earlier in the season, weather is usually nice enough for a hike! But by far, Canadians do not get into celebrating the holiday in a big way.
5
Bland? Just because it's not comparable to the southern traditions of sugar on sugar, doesn't mean it's bland. Undressed vegetables? You're living in one of the culinary highlights of North America, I suggest you find some better Thanksgiving hosts if you're having a bad time.
6
It's never been about sugar (seriously?) but family time for me and creating much loved recipes and specialty dishes. I've been in Canada a long time, and have rarely seen Thanksgiving celebrated as a time of family-gathering--it's viewed more as a weekend off than special celebration. Everyone is free to celebrate it as they wish and find what works for them, but what I miss most is the huge family gatherings and special dishes.
1
That all depends if one has a huge family.
I was born in Quebec, where this holiday used to be totally irrelevant. It's just a long weekend. Now some people use it as a pretext for a meal, but it is still a minor holiday. By the way, next time, try to interview Canadians who actually live in Canada.
80
As a Canadian living outside Québec, Thanksgiving has always been, in my experience, quite a large celebration, and not just a long weekend. It has never been irrelevant nor a minor holiday.
4
Hey, at least they spelled "doughnuts" the Canadian way, in the last paragraph! ;)
5
That's not allowed in the US. One thing might lead to another, and Americans might find out how Canadian health insurance works, and that it does work, and how inexpensive supplemental insurance through an employer can be. And then a rational and universal insurance scheme might get put in place in the US, and millions of Americans would have something big to be thankful for on Thanksgiving (the American one), and they might even be able to afford a turkey too. And then the Republicans' goose would be cooked for 30 years or so. Can't be allowed to happen...
7
Harvest festivals have been celebrated in Canada since the Frobister expedition. Champlain also had a harvest festival before the Pilgrims. The food features fall offerings but local menus vary. Eastern Europeans may include per ogives and cabbage rolls. The origins are religious.
13
Sorry this article is for turkeys - Canada had a day of giving thanks long before the comic book Pilgrims stole their first turkey from the aboriginals. See Frobisher. We perfected the day by knowing that the second Monday of October still promised reasonable weather across our country and took that date to heart in 1957. It's a quiet day to reflect with family and friends about the harvest that sustains us. We are in fact considerably different in a host of different ways and we don't have any second thoughts about our birds - none of them are pardoned by our Prime Minister.
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When the tradition of thanksgiving evolved there was no United States and no Canada. It was just the 13 original colonies and sparsely populated upper Canada (present day Quebec) and lower Canada (present day Ontario). These "Canadians" would celebrate the same thanks giving, albeit on when they thought fall harvest was in, together with their compatriot immigrants and their progeny from British isles. The upper and lower Canada were also colonies, though not in formal sense due to low population. Estimates are no more than 150,000.
Following the 1776 revolution significant numbers of United empire loyalists (as those who wanted to remain loyal to British crown were called) migrated to present day Ontario and Quebec fron New York State, Virginia and Carolinas.
Thus great similarities in food habits, sports and accents. The thanksgiving tradition with turkey dinner followed. The first Monday was standardized in mid 1800s at the request of clergy as another writer has pointed out. As to why early October, my hypothesis is it gets colder in Canada earlier! Also I am not sure when American celebration in late November was standardized.
The immigrants from Europe who arrived in late 1800 to 1950s took in all Canadian customs including thanksgiving. However, this custom is getting diluted progressively with the later arrivals from Asia and Middle East. The Canadian policy of encouraging multiculturalism doesn't help the situation either, which is an unfortunate development.
Following the 1776 revolution significant numbers of United empire loyalists (as those who wanted to remain loyal to British crown were called) migrated to present day Ontario and Quebec fron New York State, Virginia and Carolinas.
Thus great similarities in food habits, sports and accents. The thanksgiving tradition with turkey dinner followed. The first Monday was standardized in mid 1800s at the request of clergy as another writer has pointed out. As to why early October, my hypothesis is it gets colder in Canada earlier! Also I am not sure when American celebration in late November was standardized.
The immigrants from Europe who arrived in late 1800 to 1950s took in all Canadian customs including thanksgiving. However, this custom is getting diluted progressively with the later arrivals from Asia and Middle East. The Canadian policy of encouraging multiculturalism doesn't help the situation either, which is an unfortunate development.
4
I have no idea what you're talking about when you assert that more recently arrived, non-white immigrants to Canada are not adopting Canadian traditions. My family immigrated in the '80s from Asia and we celebrate Thanksgiving every year, as does everyone else I know who are recent immigrants. It's hard to say no to an excuse to gather with family and friends and eat. *What* they eat may vary from turkey with stuffing with potatoes and Brussels sprouts (we may have done a roast now and then), but this is no different than both the regional variations on the thanksgiving table that you see across Canada and the influence of different European countries from where your vaunted "older" Canadian immigrants hail from.
PS - by the way, Thanksgiving is definitely not a haloed tradition among Francophones in Quebec. But I don't see you calling them out for not adopting "Canadian" traditions, even though this group is probably the most established European population (immigration from France virtually stopped in the late 1680's) who have settled in what is now modern day Canada.
PS - by the way, Thanksgiving is definitely not a haloed tradition among Francophones in Quebec. But I don't see you calling them out for not adopting "Canadian" traditions, even though this group is probably the most established European population (immigration from France virtually stopped in the late 1680's) who have settled in what is now modern day Canada.
8
I believe that if you check published sources you will find that upper Canada is Ontario because it is farther upstream on the St. Lawrence and that lower Canada is farther downstream on the St Lawrence, i.e., Quebec. Upper Canada College, for example, is in Toronto.
8
you seem to have Upper and Lower Canadas switched, but perhaps that's no surprise for an Upper Canadian in Ontario. I speak as one from the Maritimes, which was part of neither Upper nor Lower Canada, and maybe we should have stayed apart.
2
It's correct we don't typically travel great distances to celebrate Thanksgiving with family but in my experience we will travel across the city, take a ferry, spend the day with family or friends. The food is the same with local differences as in the US. We are on the coast and there is always something from the ocean. Grilled or baked parsnips, carrots, turnips, salmon, turkey, stuffing, fresh potatoes.. Drooling already and looking forward to family coming across the Strait to share the day with.
8
There are two significant differences between American and Canadian Thanksgiving observances:
1. Many people have their big turkey dinner on Sunday, even though the actual holiday is on Monday.
2. Thanksgiving week-end is the traditional time for families to make one last trip "up north" to close their summer cottages for the season.
1. Many people have their big turkey dinner on Sunday, even though the actual holiday is on Monday.
2. Thanksgiving week-end is the traditional time for families to make one last trip "up north" to close their summer cottages for the season.
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I'd like to add that thankfully we Canadians don't ruin family breakfast to go racing out at 5 a.m. next morning just to get in line to buy Christmas presents. We have another eight weeks to get that thing going, and for that I am indeed truly thankful.
I am also thankful for eight weeks between those turkey dinners - so déjà vu by Christmas if you just finished getting through the first one seemingly just 'the other day'! I am a bit sorry for the birdie.
It's Harvest time! Interesting vegetables at their prime have, to my mind, become the star of dinner. Give thanks!
And I'm happy that the weather is usually great in October, and the family can go for walks between the meals and admire the beautiful trees changing colour and kick a few leaf piles into a little storm.
The thing I really love for dessert at Tksgvg is freshly baked apples, still hot, their tops slightly burnty, their centres filled with chopped crystallized ginger served with whipped cream and a dash or two of rum. (Hold that pumpkin pie.)
And as the table groans under the weight of offerings served on spanking hot plates, we truly give thanks for the harvest.
And - we should all be so very thankful to be thinking about meals like this in a world in which not everybody is as lucky as we are.
I am also thankful for eight weeks between those turkey dinners - so déjà vu by Christmas if you just finished getting through the first one seemingly just 'the other day'! I am a bit sorry for the birdie.
It's Harvest time! Interesting vegetables at their prime have, to my mind, become the star of dinner. Give thanks!
And I'm happy that the weather is usually great in October, and the family can go for walks between the meals and admire the beautiful trees changing colour and kick a few leaf piles into a little storm.
The thing I really love for dessert at Tksgvg is freshly baked apples, still hot, their tops slightly burnty, their centres filled with chopped crystallized ginger served with whipped cream and a dash or two of rum. (Hold that pumpkin pie.)
And as the table groans under the weight of offerings served on spanking hot plates, we truly give thanks for the harvest.
And - we should all be so very thankful to be thinking about meals like this in a world in which not everybody is as lucky as we are.
13
Canadian "Thanksgiving" is totally derivative from the US Thanksgiving. A day of reflection for the blessings and bounties experienced by Americans goes back to Washington's presidency and underscored by Lincoln, eventually to become a national holiday. I've lived in British Columbia and Alberta for years and found even less thought was given to prayer and reflection than by the US' secular football worshippers. But in the US, an actual day of thanksgiving is vastly more common as is the imperative that family be together, even if it means flying across the country for the occasion. That is rare in Canada. Unsurprising as it is a borrowed holiday. But it is sacrilege for Canadians to ever admit that they've borrowed anything from the US.
7
It is not a borrowed holiday. Giving thanks at harvest time is a European pagan tradition long before the Americas were discovered by the Vikings. The natives showed the French explorers the concept and fed them during the cold winters long before the Pilgrims arrived. Turkey sere a common food in North America not just the 13 colonies.
Don't throw religion into it as Pence does for his beliefs in restricting the freedom of others
This Thanksgiving is an American myth like Alexander Graham Bell was an American and Edison invented the light bulb
Don't throw religion into it as Pence does for his beliefs in restricting the freedom of others
This Thanksgiving is an American myth like Alexander Graham Bell was an American and Edison invented the light bulb
15
Ah, yes, the quiet gratitude and reflection that cometh before the Black Friday Walmart stampede.
8
In my childhood home and in my adult home no one watched football on Thanksgiving. We always gave thanks before our meal (as a child, that was simply through saying grace; as an adult, each of us, children included, individually expressed what we were thankful for).
No one has pointed out that Canada has established a federal holiday for every month, and in October it happens to be Thanksgiving. Armistice Day is in November, so they were covered for that month. For the months where nothing came to mind, officials said, "Take the day off!" and hence the first Monday in August is a holiday.
For all of their superiority at looking down on Americans, let me assure them that we Americans are free to dispense with paper turkeys with crepe paper tails and no one forces us to watch the Macy's parade. And I'll take green beans with canned onions over French fries with cheese curds smothered in gravy any day.
For all of their superiority at looking down on Americans, let me assure them that we Americans are free to dispense with paper turkeys with crepe paper tails and no one forces us to watch the Macy's parade. And I'll take green beans with canned onions over French fries with cheese curds smothered in gravy any day.
4
No one has "pointed out" that there is a federal holiday every month because the statement is false. The first Monday in August is not a federal holiday. Many, but not all, provinces have declared the day a provincial holiday. And there is no federal holiday in February either. And Easter is in either March or April, not both, so one of those months will be without a holiday. And what about June?
2
So, there is no "Armistice Day" in Canada. It's called Remembrance Day. There is usually not a holiday in April (unless Easter falls in April, then there is no holiday in March) and the Family Day holiday in February is not observed in about half the provinces. Poutine is not covered in gravy, but rather "sauce brune". Only places like Wendy's bastardize the traditional poutine recipe and use gravy. Hope I don't sound overly superior correcting your highly inaccurate post.
8
Ah, spoken by someone who has never tasted a butter tart!
12
I have always wondered why the U.S. holiday was held so late in the year. It's quite often winter in New England and many other parts of the country by late November. I have long felt that Canada's is at a more appropriate time of year. It's quite a chore to try to keep some green garden tomatoes inside well enough to have them for Thanksgiving dinner. I like that Canada's coincides with Columbus Day, giving a different feel to that as well.
Canadians are serious about their holidays. Because they didn't have one in August, when everyone can use one, they invented August Long Weekend. Living as we do within a short drive to the border, I listen to CBC much of the time I'm in the car, so none of this is news to me. I also have quite a few Canadian cousins, and most of us are ready to celebrate holidays whenever convenient--goodness knows two days of gratitude are not too many!
Canadians are serious about their holidays. Because they didn't have one in August, when everyone can use one, they invented August Long Weekend. Living as we do within a short drive to the border, I listen to CBC much of the time I'm in the car, so none of this is news to me. I also have quite a few Canadian cousins, and most of us are ready to celebrate holidays whenever convenient--goodness knows two days of gratitude are not too many!
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Wikipedia (not necessarily always accurate!) indicates that Canada's August Long Weekend/Civic or Bank holiday started only in 1974. The first Monday in August was designated a Bank Holiday in Britain back in 1871, so I don't think that the Canadians invented it.
I don't think she meant that Canadians invented the concept of a Civic/bank holiday ...rather; that the federal government created one so that it's citizens had a three day weekend in a beautiful summer month when there was no other reason for one beyond it being...a beautiful summer month lacking a long weekend. Therefore Canadians have a long weekend almost every 4 weeks during a time of the year when they can be outside and enjoying hopefully fine weather. May - October ;)
The Civic holiday you make reference to happening on the first Monday in August only occurs in a minority of provinces, it is NOT a national holiday.
1
For a long time the Anglican Church (Episcopal to Americans) was the dominant religion in Canada outside of Quebec. For centuries the church has celebrated Harvest Thanksgiving. As a child in Toronto we had a special braided bread on the altar and the church was decorated with squash, pumpkin, corn, apples, pears. It was a religious celebration. We had turkey but that wasn't featured and thank God we did not have those horrid green beans in fake sauce with canned onions. I think the timing of the Canadian holiday is better for most of the country - warmer etc. and more closely related to the harvest. However the Harvest Thanksgiving morphed into Thanksgiving for all, it is a good holiday in the same way the US one is - all can participate if the theme is thankfulness. The unfortunate myths of the US are almost laughable now and will probably gradually disappear. Thankfulness won't.
28
Have lived there and did celebrate Thanksgiving on their date. Rather than the whole relatively phony Pilgrims meme of the US, their reason to actually give thanks was quieter and to me, much more deeply held. It is actually the end of the harvest up there and suits more appropriately the end of the farming season. It was also great to have a much larger break between holidays compared to the US where the whole exercise between the end of November and New Years is just one giant shopping, presents and gorging season that runs for 6 weeks straight. Then again, considering almost 2/3rd of Americans have never left the US, are generally clueless about other countries and believe that America is exceptional in every way, it doesn't surprise me they know little about Canada.
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Tom, I think you have been infected by the political climate down there at the moment, which is understandable! Let's not be negative about the holidays! They are terrific holidays exactly as they are celebrated in both countries. But they are very different. Having been born and lived in the US (for 30 years) and now living in Canada (for 25), I can say that the US Thanksgiving celebration was a lot of fun. Later in the Fall season, to correspond to the US harvest schedule, everyone gets home to family somehow, which is wonderful, and it is a huge party right through NY Eve! In Canada it is a quieter affair with folks getting together with family at any time of the long weekend. Though less boisterous than in the US, Canadians still give thanks in a family-based, heart-felt way. Francophones, in my experience, treat the weekend as an opportunity for a last visit to their cottage; they enjoy it in their own way as well. So it's a "potayto", "potahto" kind of thing, but all good!
2
Mic drop!... nailed it.
Your last sentence reminds me of the advice given us by Europeans while we were in Italy when Bush 43 was in office. When asked our origin, just say Canadian.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
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Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
1
I guess we here in Michigan, with Canada being our neighbor to the South, East AND North are a little bit more aware of Canada's October Thanksgiving. Many Michigan friends and families celebrate both holidays, one with their Canadian relatives in October and another in the U.S in November. I guess NYC must be a bit too geographically removed and perhaps a bit to self absorbed to notice.
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My family celebrates Thanksgiving on the Sunday. I mean, who wants to eat a huge meal and have to go to work the next day? As my parents are immigrants from Hong Kong, we put a bit of the "old country" into our meal - growing up, it was soy sauce marinated turkey with a sticky rice and mushroom stuffing. As an adult, I've replaced sticky rice with quinoa. :)
28
In Canada we enjoy your typical North American fare as mentioned in other posts, but one thing I've never heard of here that was brought to the table by an American friend during one Thanksgiving: sweet potato pie with marshmallows on top. It was served at dinner like a savoury dish.
1
What happened to Canadian Thanksgiving Recipes? Directed to American T-day dishes. Love to learn about Canadian treats.
5
Try Canadian Living magazine.
3
We are famous for butter tarts....
1
One thing that distinguishes Canada's Thanksgiving is timing. It is more of a harvest festival than a prelude to winter. Don't know why the U.S. version was set so late in the year.
38
Well said! Let's face it, most cultures have a harvest festival and Thanksgiving (both in US and Canada) is nothing more than a celebration of the Fall harvest. The timing of the American version is far later than it should be, and today Americans use it as the beginning of the countdown to Christmas (remember "Black Friday"?).
2
Because the USA extends so far South that the growing season is much longer in much of the USA.
Having been married to a Canadian for over a decade, I can tell you his answer when asked why Canada celebrates in October--"That's when the harvest was abundant." We are thanking the earth for what we grew. It's yet another reason to assert Canadian superiority! Kidding aside, he grew up eating more roasted parsnips and turnips than I did and the only real difference in our Thanksgiving tables is the addition of these roasted root veggies-which now have made their way to our American Thanksgiving table as well.
62
The best thing about Canadian Thanksgiving is that it's not too close to Christmas. And it actually takes place at a time that the harvest is actually coming in. It makes more sense, really.
112
Thanksgiving is linked to the start of the hockey season. It's a fact. Ask any Canadian.
59
Well, the start of the NHL Season. Beer League usually starts first week of September, and of course there's those of us who play through the summer as well!
When I lived in Cambridge, England, there was a large international crowd - heavy on Americans and Brits who had studied in the US. We would have a huge American Thanksgiving on the Sunday after the US Thanksgiving (the US Thanksgiving day being a normal British work day). It was a huge event , as we would invite all the Americans (including Canadians), as well as any one who had ever lived in the US.
Interestingly, the Canadians would hold their Thanksgiving on their own - with no non-Canadians invited.
But I don't hold a grudge (much). I'm now married to a (different) Canadian.
Interestingly, the Canadians would hold their Thanksgiving on their own - with no non-Canadians invited.
But I don't hold a grudge (much). I'm now married to a (different) Canadian.
9
While living in the U.S. for four years, I was surprised how significant a holiday that Thanksgiving was. It seemed like Manhattan closed down for almost a week. I think because it is a four day weekend, for most Americans, and over a week for many, it is as significant as Christmas. Indeed more people visit distant families than at Christmas, because Christmas is only a one day event. For Canadians, Christmas with Boxing Day is always a two day event, so family visiting is more common.
22
Having spent 2010-2014 living in Canada there are a couple of indisputable facts. The most negative being that Canadian Thanksgiving simply stinks. My Canadian friends and neighbors couldn't even decide what day to celebrate on. Some celebrated on Saturday, some on Sunday and some on Monday. Why it isn't locked into the start of the NHL season was another suggestion that was unwelcomed from this huge fan of Canada, American. families didn't try hard to get together. If there was some curling festival going on they wouldn't travel to be with family. It's probably the worst example, behind the Canadian Football Leagur, of Canadians trying to mimic an American activity but having to do it differently and thus worse. But like I said, this is one of the very few areas Canadians miss the boat, er canoe.
2
I'd like to add - Christmas is a far, far bigger holiday in Canada than Thanksgiving, which is the root of many of things you address here. And the CFL is a niche sport, even in Canada (outside of Saskatchewan, that is).
1
When I (American-born) taught elementary school in northern Alberta in 1976, I asked my Canadian-born principal why his country celebrated Thanksgiving. He answered, "Because of the Pilgrims." Huh???
3
Canadian Thanksgiving did not "mimic" the American. It had it's own roots in the centuries old celebration of the harvest. And yes no one goes overboard trying to be with family. We save that for Christmas.
3
My wife and I celebrate American and Canadian Thanksgiving. We celebrate unofficial Thanksgiving the other 363 days a year. We are grateful to be alive in 2016 and grateful we live in Canada. Thanksgiving means Quebec cranberries and Quebec turkey.
When we first moved to the USA the great difference for me was the quality of the Turkey ordinaire. I was used to Canadian turkey and remember my disappointment with American turkey.
The quality of the less expensive turkey has not changed but next week we will gives thanks we are now in Canada but on November 24 after the election we will give thanks and hope that being in Canada is not such a big deal.
Happy Thanksgiving to all we are all truly blest and need to express some gratitude for what we have. Ours is truly the land of abundance.
When we first moved to the USA the great difference for me was the quality of the Turkey ordinaire. I was used to Canadian turkey and remember my disappointment with American turkey.
The quality of the less expensive turkey has not changed but next week we will gives thanks we are now in Canada but on November 24 after the election we will give thanks and hope that being in Canada is not such a big deal.
Happy Thanksgiving to all we are all truly blest and need to express some gratitude for what we have. Ours is truly the land of abundance.
35
Canada's cuisine is not "Americanized". Canada is part of North America. Its foods reflect what land grows and sea yields, often very similar to the U.S. as we share the same land mass. Moreover, both places were settled initially largely by Anglo-Saxons - not exclusively (e.g., Quebec), but to a great degree. Even Quebec's cuisine has significant input from British and American sources. So that cultural heritage ended by forming the corpus of both nations' foodways.
If you are going to eat egg and bacon in Britain and then America, sure as shootin' it will be the same in Canada. If you are going to eat donuts (which are English in origin), or muffins (ditto), in England, you will find them strewn about Stateside. And in Canada too.
Our cuisine is what it is, often interesting especially in its recondite places, but generalizations such as the one mentioned obscure, don't help, the issue.
If you are going to eat egg and bacon in Britain and then America, sure as shootin' it will be the same in Canada. If you are going to eat donuts (which are English in origin), or muffins (ditto), in England, you will find them strewn about Stateside. And in Canada too.
Our cuisine is what it is, often interesting especially in its recondite places, but generalizations such as the one mentioned obscure, don't help, the issue.
100
Very true. The USA has several sub-regional cuisine traditions for Thanksgiving that vary from the traditions that normally obtain in the northern USA: several Southern sub-regional cuisines (where, for example, one is much more likely to encounter sweet potato pie or pecan pie than pumpkin/squash pie), and those of the American Southwest.
No one mentions the most obvious difference between the holidays: the implication of the different dates. Canada (other than coastal BC) generally has a notably shorter growing season than the Lower 48 - so harvesting is completed earlier - and the ensuing winter season is longer. Also, Canadian Thanksgiving is 2.5 months before Christmas, so it doesn't herald The Holidays(TM) in the orgiastic consumerist way US Thanksgiving has come to do. I think this may also explain the relative sobriety of the Canadian holiday.
No one mentions the most obvious difference between the holidays: the implication of the different dates. Canada (other than coastal BC) generally has a notably shorter growing season than the Lower 48 - so harvesting is completed earlier - and the ensuing winter season is longer. Also, Canadian Thanksgiving is 2.5 months before Christmas, so it doesn't herald The Holidays(TM) in the orgiastic consumerist way US Thanksgiving has come to do. I think this may also explain the relative sobriety of the Canadian holiday.
94
One custom of American Thanksgiving we admire is the truncating of the Christmas season to officially begin in late November. Here, as soon as the Jack-o-Lantern is dispensed with, it's open season for merchants to inundate us with festive treacle.
The mid-October date for Canadian Thanksgiving does better align in most parts of our country with peak autumn colour and the true harvest season. There was a movement in New England to move US Thanksgiving to our date for the same reason, but, alas, it failed.
The mid-October date for Canadian Thanksgiving does better align in most parts of our country with peak autumn colour and the true harvest season. There was a movement in New England to move US Thanksgiving to our date for the same reason, but, alas, it failed.
16
Exactly! I've been waiting for someone to point this out. Further north = earlier harvest. (duh)
I think it really is that simple. Thank you, Karl.
I think it really is that simple. Thank you, Karl.
34