Traditions of Thanksgiving
It is that time of year again, when the traditions of Thanksgiving start to enter our collective consciousness and people make plans to be with family and friends. As people look forward to celebrating family holiday traditions, it adds a little extra something to recall previous holidays spent with loved ones, as well as incorporating the different Thanksgiving customs of our ancestors. While some of these traditions are unique to individual families or specific regions, there are many that have similar elements across the nation.
One way in which to evoke those wonderful memories of previous Thanksgivings is by using special decorations. Using holiday decorations has a way of creating new memories and possibly even a new family tradition. Sometimes just a small touch, such as adding a cornucopia full of the fruits and flowers of the season can become something that is an anticipated event every year. Beginning with the first Thanksgiving, there are decorations and images that have continued to shape our customs.
Originally in America, reciting Thanksgiving Day prayers to give thanks for a plentiful harvest was common before partaking in the feast, but according to history, traditions go all the way back to the 5th century when cornucopias were used as symbols of food, fertility and abundance. Many of the older traditions of Thanksgiving are still key elements in our celebrations, even if they do incorporate more modern themes, such as Thanksgiving games, parades and watching football games on television.
When Thanksgiving was first declared a national holiday by President Lincoln in 1863, the tradition of turkey for the meal was considered enough of a decoration for most; if there were any type of ornamental accessories added, they were usually the different vegetables and fruits from the family’s garden.
During the 20th century manufacturers began making commercialized items to be used as Thanksgiving decorations, such as little dishes and whatnots in the traditional Thanksgiving shape of a turkey. Next came the personalized name place holders and elaborate centerpieces during the 1920′s, followed by paper goods with Thanksgiving designs in the 40′s and 50′s. While there has been an increase in the number and variances in the items used as decorations, you can choose to decorate your home anyway you wish in order to keep or compliment your own traditions of Thanksgiving.
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