Watching the NFL games is a huge part of Thanksgiving for many families in America, and this year, I’ll be embracing it too!
The Thanksgiving games, which takes place on Thursday 27 November, are Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys and the one I’m most excited for, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers.
It’s not Thanksgiving without switching Sky Sports on, to see Cecil Martin carving up some Turkey for fellow hosts, Kevin Cadle and Neil Reynolds.
So, to get in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d share with you some key traditions:
Turkey and all the trimmings
The tradition of Thanksgiving Turkey dates back centuries and it’s a day where all families get together for the day. To me, it’s basically what we traditionally do on Christmas day! But I’ve never been to a Thanksgiving dinner, only seen what’s in the movies so I really couldn’t comment but it’s all about the Turkey and all the trimmings such as stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie!
Watching the NFL
The first intercollegiate football championship was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1876, and since then, the traditional holiday football rivalries have continued and are now so popular that a reporter once called Thanksgiving “a holiday granted by the State and the Nation to see a game of football.”
The Thanksgiving Parade
The first Thanksgiving Day parade in America was held in 1920, organised by a department store in Philadelphia called Gimbel’s. Many are led to believe it was Macy’s who started the tradition however, theirs started in 1924, and has since grown into an annual event enjoyed by more than 46 million people each year in person and on TV.
Making a wish
This is the traditional fight over the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey and is a tradition than dates back to the Etruscans of 322 B.C. (aka, the Romans). It is known as a “lucky break” where two people each tug on either end of a fowl’s bone to win the larger piece and its accompanying “wish”. I’m sure some of you have probably done this at Christmas.
Last, but certainly not least – Giving thanks
Thanksgiving is traditionally about giving thanks for the people and blessings of the past year. It is truly a celebration of praise and thanksgiving.