Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families together to enjoy food and each other’s company. A variety of dishes, including turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, are typically part of the celebration. However, preparing such a feast requires a lot of work. One woman has faced this challenge for many years, as her sister-in-law has told family members not to bring any dishes, leaving her to cook the entire meal by herself. With 16 guests expected this year, the woman is considering taking a stand to change this situation.
Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November and is a time for giving thanks, traditionally celebrating the harvest and blessings of the past year. The holiday dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims, English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated their successful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag people, a Native American group. This gathering is often referred to as the first Thanksgiving, but the holiday did not become an official national observance until many years later, largely due to the efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale. She campaigned for a national Thanksgiving holiday starting in 1827, publishing articles and contacting politicians for 36 years. Her persistence paid off in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of thanksgiving during the Civil War to promote unity.
Though it is a time of gathering, the holiday’s history includes difficult aspects that are frequently overlooked. According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the typical portrayal of Thanksgiving often ignores the suffering of Native Americans during colonization. Indigenous peoples faced violence, land loss, and diseases brought by settlers. Because of this, some Native Americans recognize Thanksgiving as a National Day of Mourning to honor their ancestors’ struggles.
Despite these complexities, millions of Americans still take part in Thanksgiving celebrations, seeing it as an opportunity to spend time with family and enjoy a hearty meal. A 2025 YouGov survey indicated that 69% of Americans planned to eat turkey on Thanksgiving, while 61% expected to have stuffing and mashed potatoes, with pumpkin pie also being popular.
Preparing a Thanksgiving feast demands significant effort, including grocery shopping and hours cooking in the kitchen. Many people also take time to decorate their homes and set an inviting table for their guests. How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Oleksandra Kyryliuk