How Do You Celebrate Thanksgiving If You Are Living Abroad?
@danishcanadian (28955)
Canada
November 22, 2010 1:28am CST
I am Canadian, and my husband is American. We are both living in Canada, because we lived in both countries, and decided that we like it better here.
Canadian Thanksgiving was in October, and we went to a nice restaurant that served turkey, and all the fixings, and really enjoyed ourselves.
For American Thanksgiving, it's hard to find a place that serves turkey, because we're in Canada and celebrated last month, but there is a really nice restaurant that does a chicken dinner "festive special" with all the same fixings, but with chicken instead of turkey. This year for American Thanksgiving, we are going to order in, get a couple of dinners from Swiss Chalet, and enjoy a nice quiet dinner at home. :)
If you are outside of Canada in October, or the USA in November, how do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
4 people like this
9 responses
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
22 Nov 10
Usaly with turkey but I did see on the news that it might be hard to find turkey if you don't buy it soon enough. So I have no idea what I will be having this year roast beef or ham would be ok to though, I am just thankful to have lunch with my family or someone.
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I'm in the United States and I'm having pizza! I don't like turkey that much . And my family is having ham, a meat that is not Kosher . So I am having the one food I am truly thankful for, Pizza. My suggestion? Forget the turkey and the rest, make it you own. In other words , have a dish you truly love and share it with family or friends. That's what the holiday is all about , being thankful for what you have.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
I like the way you both think!!
Sarahruthbeth. I'm interested in knowing. Is your whole family Jewish, and you're the only one who observes Kosher eating, or did you convert? I'm just curious. I could tell you were Jewish, the first time I read "G-d" in one of your posts. I remember reading something in a Jewish leaflet at our local Synagogue, with "G-d" and I asked the Cantor about it, and he explained about how spelling the entire name made something Holy, and then they'd have to bury it, or something. Did I get it right?
I, personally, love turkey, and while I'm not a major observer of tradition, Thanksgiving is the one time when I like to have something as close as possible. These chicken dinners we get from Swiss Chalet are the entire meal with chicken, instead of turkey, so we still get all the fixings. :) And I got paid at midnight, so when i wake up, I'm going to order our meals for lunch. Yes I plan on sleeping in, since late at night is the one time when my husband's not awake watching sci-fi on TV. haha Nice to enjoy the peace, for a bit. LOL
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Nov 10
I just make a turkey at home if I have it and some years I have gone out for dinner and that is about it.
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@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
22 Nov 10
We usually get together with family. It's been more difficult since my sister got married, and my cousins kind of had a split with their dad, my uncle. Of course I'm talking about my mother's side. My dad's side of the family (now that both of his parents are gone), is really too big to get together for Thanksgiving in one place. For Christmas, they sometimes rent a big room in a local community center. So we are going to my mom's mom this Thursday. After losing my Papaw this past year, I treasure even more now the times I have with her.
We usually don't just have turkey. We almost always have turkey AND ham. I'm not crazy about either, but I usually love the side dishes. I'm all about the cranberry sauce. I think I may be the only one in the family who eats it. Then there is my Nana's tabouli, which she makes every Thanksigving just for me. My sister will be with her husband in his state this year (he is from Kansas), but we'll all have a good time. I'm just grateful my dad is here and able to celebrate. His surgery is coming up, so we aren't sure how that will affect Christmas.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
I know what you mean about big families. LOL My Dad's family is getting a bit big for the house where he lives, for gatherings. My sister is dealing with lupus, and is too ill to feel comfortable going there with all those people, and my husband and I just haven't been invited (long freaking story), so for Christmas we're buggering off to Toronto. LOL Thanksgiving is usually just hubby and I, and we like it that way. It's great that there are places that offer Thanksgiving dinners around here.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47618)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
22 Nov 10
Zellers offers a turkey dinner this time of year in their restaurant...
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@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
All though the Holidays, or just for Canadian Thanksgiving? We took care of Canadian Thanksgiving nicely with a turkey dinner at Cagney's, here in Guelph, and we ran out of money mid-way through November, so now we have to do American Thanksgiving a bit late. LOL
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@BarBaraPrz (47618)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Nov 10
Most of the fall, I think... at least until Christmas.
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
23 Nov 10
I live in the U.S.A. ,but I live far from my family since they live in another state ,so we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving this year by going to a nice 4 star hotel.
They have a Thanksgiving feast ,so we are going to have a great time. Is just my husband and my two boys ,so is going to be different ,but fun.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
Did you spend the night, or just eat there? Your Thanksgiving, sounds like our Christmas. This is where we're going for Christmas.
http://www.grandhoteltoronto.com
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
1 Dec 10
We stayed in the hotel for two nights ,so it was very relaxing and they also have a casino ,so I had a nice time playing the slot machines. I played $25.00 and I won $165.00 ,so I was very happy. I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas doing something fun and different.
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
6 Dec 10
well, as I have mentioned else where, we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and my birthday on the 23rd with a nice roast
On the day, after I worked, I drove out to the roomie's folks and had turkey, stuffing, potatoes and a yam.
I would dearly hope that I don't have to work next year because I've found a full time job, but we'll have to see...
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Nov 10
hi danishcandadian I am here in the Us where Ia m a citiZen only now I am stuck here in this tiresome retirement center. We will have our Thanksgiving dinner day after tomorrow, why? because then most of the staff may go home to have Thanksgiving on the right day with their families and we get to eat whatever the hell is easiest to fix';usually hot dogs or corndogs which I really detest. we will have a nice spread'
wednesday but it seems so pathetic that we cannot observe a holiday on the holiday just once.I am really sick of this place but cannot move to an apartnebt as I do not have enough money.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 10
That f*cking SUCKS that they'd do that to you!!!!
I remember when my step-mom pulled the Christmas shift at the retirement home where she's a nurse. We missed her terribly, but "it's Christmas for them too" so we were perfectly understanding about why she wasn't there for most of the day. She was next year.
Stupid selfish staff at your place really need to show a little compassion!!!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Nov 10
I've never been away from home for Thanksgiving, and probably never will. If I were though, I'd celebrate the same way. I cook at home for the holidays so that is what I'd do.
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