While I sit
here waiting for my flight at gate F57—taking full advantage of the free Wi-Fi, I realize that my dual-citizenship has made thanksgiving my favorite holiday.
Why, you might ask, well…let’s backtrack a little bit.
First off
Canadians have their own thanksgiving that takes place the second Monday of
October. Yep it’s true there is such a thing as Canadian thanksgiving. Now, you
may be thinking, why on earth do Canadians have their own thanksgiving—I mean,
pilgrims and indigenous peoples didn’t share some notable meal in Canada as
well, did they? Well, that’s a good question, because honestly, I had no idea
either…until I did a little research.
According to
the ever-helpful Wikipedia.com, “The history of Thanksgiving in Canada can be
traced back to the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England in search of
the Northwest Passage. In this, his third, voyage to the Frobisher Bay area of
Baffin Island in the present Canadian Territory of Nunavut, it was also the
intention to start a small settlement and his fleet of 15 ships were so fitted
out with men, materials and provisions for this purpose.”
So, there you
have it. Some guy travelled across some channel and boom…Canadian thanksgiving.
Similar to the American version, the typical Canadian thanksgiving meal
includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, apple/pumpkin pie and my
personal fave, sautéed brussel sprouts (not necessarily typical in every
Canadian household).
Like our
neighbors down south, us Canadians enjoy both watching and playing a little
pigskin during the day. However, feel like the Canadian holiday gives you a
little more variety of what you can watch on TV during the day. There’s NFL,
CFL and since the NHL is currently in another lockout (ugh), they replayed old
games of the World Juniors for hockey.
Regardless of
whether you have your thanksgiving in October or November, thanksgiving is a great holiday for a couple reasons. First and foremost, you’re allowed—no
expected to eat copious amounts of food. In my mind, Canadian thanksgiving
marks the beginning of fall, which means the beginning of fall boots and
cardigans. It gives me a valid excuse to come back to my hometown and most importantly;
I get to spend time with my crazy family with no annoying extras. No cards, no
gifts, no expectations, just myself and my family—and a fridge full of
leftovers, what’s not to love?
