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Thanksgiving Ideas for Expats

November 17, 2015 by Rosie 2 Comments

Are you an expat living in the USA? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving can be a bit of a funny holiday for us expats – it is generally only celebrated in the US and Canada, so it’s not a familiar holiday for many expats in the USA. However, I have actually found it to be one of the most enjoyable holidays!

Thanksgiving-Ideas-for-Expats

Historically a time to be thankful for the harvest, Thanksgiving is such a lovely time to reflect and be thankful for everything and everyone we have in our lives. I love the fact that it’s simply all about family and friends getting together, eating good food and being thankful. There’s no pressure of gift giving. It’s a very relaxed holiday – plus it’s a four day weekend!

But what if you are an expat in America and you are not really sure what to do for Thanksgiving? Here are some Thanksgiving ideas for you fellow expats out there…

Spend Thanksgiving with American family or friends

The best way to enjoy an authentic American Thanksgiving is to spend the day with an American family, or American friends. Many families have a tradition of opening their table to anyone who does not have a place to go for Thanksgiving. Be open to any invitations that may come your way! Different people will celebrate in different ways, but there it is often a turkey meal, with lots of trimmings and often guests will take a side dish to contribute to the meal. Desserts are often autumn themed, such as pumpkin or apple pie.

Make a side dish from your own country

This is a nice way to contribute to the meal, while also sharing a piece of your own culture or family traditions. Most things go with turkey! So perhaps make a vegetarian rice dish, nut loaf or potato dish to contribute, or an unusual dessert. People will enjoy hearing about the different traditions and foods that you might have in your family, or where you are from. It gives a lovely multi-cultural feel to a Thanksgiving meal.

Host your own Thanksgiving meal

Perhaps you have met some new expats, or perhaps you are new to the USA yourself and looking to meet new people. Thanksgiving is a great time to reach out and just invite people over. If the thought of making a full-on turkey meal is daunting, you could have a more casual ‘pot luck’ style meal where everyone brings something to contribute. Again, encourage people to bring something originating from their home country and take your guests all over the world in one meal!

The spirit of Thanksgiving is about being thankful, so what better time to make new connections? If everyone is busy on Thanksgiving day, perhaps invite some people over at another time over the long holiday weekend.

Try out some American recipes

Hosting or visiting friends over Thanksgiving is a fun opportunity to try out some American recipes like pumpkin pie or corn bread. Even if it’s just you and your partner, take the chance to cook or bake something new. It could be a simple, easy recipe, but just something you haven’t made before.

My favourite ever American recipe book is The Joy of Cooking, which has lots of ideas for Thanksgiving dishes. Most of the year I find myself cooking the same things I cooked back in the UK, but festive occasions are when I like to go out of my comfort zone and try something new – usually something easy, like mashed sweet potato (yum!) but new all the same! Expat life is all about embracing new things, so go for it!

Remember that (nearly!) everything is closed on Thanksgiving day!

Don’t try and pop to the bank or do any of your normal chores on Thanksgiving day! Most places are usually closed and you can expect a Sunday service on things like buses and trains. It’s a big holiday in the states and a busy time to travel. You might find the odd local shop or restaurant open, but they will often be open shorter hours, if at all. Make the most of the day off and the long leisurely weekend!

Finally… Eat, drink, enjoy and be thankful!

Do you live in the USA? What other ideas and tips do you have for expats spending Thanksgiving here?

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Disclosure: Lead image by Aaron Burden courtesy of Unsplash.

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Comments

  1. You Baby Me Mummy

    November 26, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    I hope you had a wonderful day! Thanks for linking up to #TheList x

    Reply
    • Rosie

      November 29, 2015 at 3:34 am

      We had a lovely day – thank you! x

      Reply

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Do you feel like showering a little love this Febr Do you feel like showering a little love this February? 🥰
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I think we need all the love and good vibes right now and I do love a creative project that doubles as a gift! 💝 
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We loved making these dancing heart stencil cards - simple to make and sweet Valentines for your children to hand out. 😍
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When I get 5 minutes I'll make a blog post 🙄😆but they are easy enough to make:
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-Draw a heart shape on a piece of card and cut out a stencil. 
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-Place stencil on folded white card, sponge red and white paint, let dry.
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-Decorate with a pen and goggly eyes.
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-Spread a little love!
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These would be a cute and easy activity over the half term/winter break. ❄️
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Do your children like to make Valentine cards? 💕
Do you feel like you're balancing all the things r Do you feel like you're balancing all the things right now?
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Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
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Think of a memory that makes you feel calm and happy. Hold on to it until the time you can make it happen again. And in the meantime try to to seize the little moments of every day joy. 
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I think of the beach when I need a pick me up. How about you?
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
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I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
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One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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Are your children back at school, or are you still in the thick of homeschool? 
Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
With dinosaur trails, a splash zone, Jurassic putt and much more we all had an amazing family day. I was really impressed with the social distancing and safety measures in place too. Full review to follow soon!
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Is home school still happening in your family?! Af Is home school still happening in your family?! After 12 weeks of lockdown we’ve ditched ‘home school’ for ‘life school.’ So far the kids have made and decorated their own cakes, helped do laundry, vacuum and mop. 🧼 Plus lots of free play, projects and learning about topics they are interested in - mainly dinosaurs! 🦖 🦕 
I feel so much more relaxed for letting go of formal work! (Let’s face it there wasn’t much of it happening anyway...😬) But I was still pressuring myself mentally and it was starting to create power struggles (with my eldest very spirited child!) When you start doing things that you and the children are motivated to do it takes the pressure off everyone. And the miracle is that’s when the real learning happens! 🌟 
My son has even written about his fossil collection - a change from tearing my hair out to get him to write! The kids have played more independently too, as I’ve ‘left them to it’ more. Plus - the house is even starting to look just a little bit cleaner! 🧹

So if home school is just not happening anymore, I’d recommend doing an Elsa and just ‘Let it Goooo’. Swap it for ‘life school’ and I guarantee the kids will be learning equally valuable lessons. 💡Just do what works for your family. ❤️ Are you still home schooling? Do you feel like you’re trying to ‘do it all’? Or have you embraced a more flexible approach?

I’d love to hear any ideas you have that we could try? My kids love dinosaurs and creative things. Plus I’m trying to encourage independent playing and helping in the house, so all ideas welcome! 💡
Sleeping with her babies. 👶🏻👶🏾❤️
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I’ve been listening to black voices over the last few days. Thinking about the BLM movement and ways I can do more. I wasn’t sure whether to share, but I’ve learned it’s better to speak than to say nothing.
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I’ve always thought of myself as someone who embraces diversity. I’ve travelled, met and befriended people of all colours, nationalities and religions. As a teacher I’ve valued each child’s individuality, as well as seeing them all as equals. I try to encourage my children to be kind to all others.
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But I realise this is NOT enough. I need to do more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last week it’s that - we have to take ACTION against racism. It’s not enough to just ‘not be racist’, we have to be ANTI racist to make a change.
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So what action do I commit to do?
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•Listen - keep listening to black people’s stories and struggles.
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•Educate - myself and my children further. Read books that spark CONVERSATIONS with my children and others. Keep learning and keep trying to do better.
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•Amplify - promote black voices, especially those in the fields of education and children.
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If you’re a mama or a teacher and wondering how you can take ACTION against racism, I’d really recommend taking a look at @readlikearockstar and @apron_education - they have some brilliant resources to share with your kids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you talk about racism with your kids? How are you taking action against racism?
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