Fun Thanksgiving Facts to Make You the Star of the Dinner Table
Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness, delicious food, and gratitude. While we gather around the table to enjoy a feast, this holiday has a rich history and many fun facts that can add a bit of intrigue to your conversations! Let’s dive into some Thanksgiving trivia that will give you a new appreciation for this holiday and even inspire you to share a gift of gratitude from Me To You Box.
1. Thanksgiving Has Been Celebrated for Over 400 Years
The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe came together to celebrate a successful harvest. This iconic meal lasted for three days and included about 50 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.
2. Turkey Wasn’t Always on the Menu
While turkey is a staple of Thanksgiving dinners today, historians believe the first Thanksgiving meal was quite different! Instead, they likely dined on venison, wild fowl (like ducks and geese), corn, nuts, and shellfish. Turkey only became the star of the show much later.
3. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Began in 1924
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a beloved tradition, complete with enormous balloons, performers, and vibrant floats. The parade actually started with animals from the Central Park Zoo and became the balloon-filled spectacle we know today in the 1930s.
4. The Tradition of “Thanksgiving Football” Began in 1876
Thanksgiving and football have gone hand in hand for over a century. The tradition began when Yale and Princeton played a football game on Thanksgiving Day in 1876. Today, families gather to watch the NFL's Thanksgiving games, making it one of the most-watched days of football each year.
5. Benjamin Franklin Wanted the Turkey as America’s National Bird
Believe it or not, Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey was more suitable as the national bird of the United States than the bald eagle. He admired the turkey for its perceived moral virtues, describing it as “a much more respectable bird” than the eagle.
6. Thanksgiving Wasn’t an Official Holiday Until 1863
Although celebrated in various forms for centuries, Thanksgiving became an official national holiday only in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a time for national “thanksgiving and praise.” He chose the last Thursday in November, and the date has stuck ever since.
7. The White House Has an Annual Turkey Pardon
This quirky tradition started in 1947 when the National Turkey Federation gifted a turkey to President Harry S. Truman. Since then, each president has “pardoned” one lucky turkey each Thanksgiving, sparing it from ending up on the dinner table.
Show Your Gratitude with a Thanksgiving Gift
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and there’s no better way to express that than with a thoughtful gift. A curated gift box from Me To You Box is the perfect way to say “thank you” and show your appreciation to someone special. Whether you want a ready-made box filled with carefully selected items or prefer to build your own box to add a personal touch, Me To You Box has options for everyone. Plus, they offer free shipping on orders over $100, making it an affordable yet meaningful gesture of gratitude.
If you’re not sure which items to choose or need help selecting the perfect combination, Me To You Box’s gifting specialists are ready to assist. You can reach them at info@metoyoubox.com or by calling 862-248-5544 for expert guidance.
8. Thanksgiving Is One of the Busiest Travel Days of the Year
Thanksgiving holds the title for one of the busiest travel days in the U.S., as people make their way to be with loved ones. Airports and highways fill with travelers all aiming to gather with family and friends for the holiday feast.
9. Americans Eat Over 50 Million Pumpkin Pies Each Thanksgiving
Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving dessert staple, and Americans consume over 50 million of these delicious pies each Thanksgiving. Whether homemade or store-bought, pumpkin pie is a quintessential part of the celebration.
10. “Friendsgiving” Is a New Thanksgiving Tradition
“Friendsgiving” has become a popular way to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends instead of family or in addition to the family feast. It’s a chance for friends to gather, share food, and create their own traditions. If you’re attending a Friendsgiving this year, consider bringing a gift of gratitude from Me To You Box to surprise the host!
Wrap-Up
Thanksgiving is a time filled with traditions, from historical quirks to football games and turkey pardons. Whether you're enjoying the holiday with family or friends, sharing fun Thanksgiving facts is a great way to add a spark to your conversations. And if you’re looking for a unique way to show your gratitude, consider sending a thoughtful gift from Me To You Box.
Visit metoyoubox.com to explore a wide range of curated gift boxes, or call 862-248-5544 to create your own special blend of gratitude.