To be annoyed by Thanksgiving in the UK?

[talomon]

Is it me or Thanksgiving is becoming quite widespread in the UK?

I studied in the states and live in central London, so maybe I am exposed to American people more than most, but I still feel many of my Brit and French friends and acquittances have started hosting Thanksgiving and treating it like a major holiday. Ten years ago it was quite obscure.

I mean I get that it's a nice occasion, and the food spread looks nice especially for social media, but still I am not sure I like it.

YANBU = Our culture is becoming to Americanized
YABU = It's a great holiday to celebrate

We have a nice dinner together as a family (not necessarily a typical thanksgiving dinner, just nice food eaten together) and we spend the day really being thankful for what we have, but we don't celebrate it in the way Americans do. I think as a holiday, it has no place here in the U.K. but I do like the idea of at least 1 day a year to stop and be grateful for what we have, we're not well off so it's very easy to get caught up in the 'poor us' but some times, but when we actually sit and look, we are so fortunate in what we have, and there's millions that would kill for just a little of what we have.

Virtual boiled sweet heading your way, SinnerBoy🍭

Thanks, Math!

Loads of countries do a post-Christmas sale. This is not something UK specific.

I don't know anyone who is not american who celebrates thanksgiving. I do however think it should be considered, I liked in America as a child and it was all "we love Christopher Coloumbus" and dressing up as native Indians "gifting" corn to the brave men who had discovered the new world.

I've not seen anything in shops about Thanksgiving and don't know anyone who has celebrated it. Pretty much passed me by.

Definitely not a 'thing' around my way! Even Halloween is a half hearted take it or leave it.

Perhaps it's only visible where there's a high American population!

I hit YABU, to answer the question, because I like all occasions to feel grateful, and I really like the idea of adopting some elements from this day, but hey ho, it's my opinion. We didn't celebrate, but my husband and I talked about what we are grateful for😂 I celebrate some Polish occasions too, despite living in the UK, even though they're not a thing here. I just like celebrating life.

I've lived in quite a few different countries around the world, and I've still never known a non American or Canadian to host a Thanksgiving celebration.

Sorry for being so insular. I'll get back in my box now.

Correct... comparatively speaking. I'm not sure Maori would put it quite the same way! And there was also Australia.

Thanksgiving is generally not bigger than Christmas for Americans. Thanksgiving is a big meal; Christmas is a big deal.

There’s a National Day of Mourning held annually at high noon on Thanksgiving by Native Americans in Plymouth not far from the famous Plymouth Rock. Others are welcome to join in the ceremony to mourn the Native American genocide by disease and war. I’ve been several times with my ex husband who lived nearby. We always walked there as penitents should.

I am married to an American - we live in the UK, so celebrated thanksgiving virtually with family in the US over FaceTime this year as we couldn’t all be in the same place. Obviously I’m English but it’s a nice time - good food, no present pressure and taking some time to reflect a bit on what we are thankful for.

Recipe wise - my DP is southern so the dishes have that influence! Sweet potato casserole, corn bread, green bean casserole and deep fried turkey all usually feature.