Americans and Thanksgiving?

Q: Thanksgiving sounds like a fun holiday, but we don't have it in the UK, l'm interested how the average American spends that day and is it the day you also put up your Christmas decorations? Also when does it fall this year, thanks for any answers.

A: Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November; this year it is Nov 22. The Friday is usually a holiday too, except for the retail stores; this is the single biggest shopping day of the year, with great sales and discounts and huge crowds. Most people wait until after Thanksgiving day to put up Christmas decorations, although a lot of people will take advantage of the long weekend to start decorating. Traditionally, families gather together for a big dinner. Many people travel to their parent's home, and that Wednesday is one of the biggest travel days of the year. The holiday focuses on the feast and spending time with family, as well as some major (American) football games on TV and a large parade in New York sponsored by Macy's. A large turkey is the main dish, usually accompanied with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. Every family has different traditions about how to best cook any dish, or what other side dishes to include. It is an American holiday, but there's no reason other countries can't share it - it's about giving thanks for the things that matter most in your life, for recognizing the importance of family and friends.

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