Thanksgiving 2026 — Thursday, November 26
The most American of holidays — when 90+ million Americans travel home for a feast with family.
History
The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 by the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to celebrate their first successful harvest with the Wampanoag people.
- 1789: George Washington proclaimed first national Thanksgiving
- 1863: Abraham Lincoln made it a federal holiday during Civil War
- 1941: FDR established the fourth Thursday in November
The Four-Day Weekend
| Day | What |
|-----|------|
| Nov 26 (Thu) | Thanksgiving Day |
| Nov 27 (Fri) | Black Friday (shopping) |
| Nov 28 (Sat) | Small Business Saturday |
| Nov 30 (Mon) | Cyber Monday |
The Traditional Meal
#### Centerpiece
- Turkey — 12-20 lbs, roasted for hours
- Stuffing/Dressing — bread cubes + herbs
- Gravy — from turkey drippings
#### Side Dishes
- Mashed potatoes with butter
- Cranberry sauce
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows!)
- Cornbread or dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie for dessert
- Pecan pie (Southern tradition)
Turkey Cooking Guide
Sizing: 1-1.5 lbs per person. 12 people = ~15 lb turkey.
Cooking time at 325°F:
| Weight | Time |
|--------|------|
| 8-12 lbs | 2.75-3 hours |
| 12-14 lbs | 3-3.75 hours |
| 14-18 lbs | 3.75-4.25 hours |
| 18-20 lbs | 4.25-4.5 hours |
Pro Tips:
- Brine for 24 hours — much juicier
- Dry skin before cooking — crispier
- Tent with foil if browning too fast
- Use thermometer — 165°F at thickest part
- Rest 30 min before carving
The Best Thanksgiving Day
Morning:
- Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (9 AM ET)
- Prep food while watching
- Family arrives
Afternoon:
- Football! NFL traditionally plays
- Detroit Lions + Dallas Cowboys games
- Finish cooking
Evening:
- Dinner around 5-6 PM
- Share what you're thankful for
- Pie + coffee after
Going Around the Table
A meaningful tradition: each person shares one thing they're grateful for.
Tips:
- Be specific — not just "my family"
- Mention people present — they hear it
- Keep it brief — 30-60 seconds
Black Friday — The Shopping Day
Biggest shopping day of the year:
- In-store: opens 4 AM-6 AM at major chains
- Online: deals start at midnight
- Average spending: $300-500 per person
Smart Black Friday Tips:
- Make a list — no impulse buying
- Compare prices before going
- Use cashback apps — Rakuten, Honey
- Avoid "doorbusters" — usually limited stock
Travel Tips
Thanksgiving is the busiest travel period:
- 49 million travel by car
- 4.5 million fly
- Roads packed: Tue-Wed before, Sun after
Friendsgiving — A New Tradition
For those who can't travel home, Friendsgiving is a chosen-family meal:
- Usually weekend before or after Thanksgiving
- Potluck style — everyone brings something
- Mix of dishes from different cultures
Acts of Gratitude
Beyond the meal:
- Volunteer at soup kitchens — homeless meals
- Donate to food banks
- Write gratitude letters to people who helped you
- Call elderly relatives who can't travel
The Heart of Thanksgiving
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." — Cicero
Strip away the food, the football, the shopping — and Thanksgiving is about:
- Pausing to count blessings
- Connecting with loved ones
- Sharing what we have
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂