Thanksgiving NEW Traditions

As I mentioned, Thanksgiving in America has grown to encompass several traditions that are not at all related to giving thanks.

The day itself is the fourth Thursday of every November, but most people celebrate from Thursday through Sunday.

Thanksgiving is one of the year's busiest days in America for travel.

Tradition #1:  BLACK FRIDAY

Black Friday: Because only in America people trample others for sales
exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.

Black Friday is one of the craziest days in America each year.  This is the real beginning of the Christmas shopping season.  But what makes Black Friday crazy is that stores (which were closed on Thanksgiving Day) open their doors at crazy hours, oftentimes at midnight or 2 a.m., and offer such insane discounts that people LITERALLY trample each other to get in the doors and buy gifts.  I am serious.  People DIE each year on Black Friday because they are trampled to death trying to get into Wal-Mart or other stores.  Here is a visual for you:

Stores must have lots of security on this day, as things get out of hand quickly.  People begin fights over things when there are small quantities.  You may see two women fighting over a large television that is priced at 90% off.  It is truly crazy.  The stores actually create this chaos by marketing their sales for weeks in advance and releasing their sale items and prices.  If you could get a $600 laptop for $50, or an iPad for $100... would you brave the crowds?

Now... these scenarios don't happen everywhere.  But it is pretty nuts.  Wimee actually goes out each year and just sits in her vehicle, sips her Starbucks coffee, and watches the crowds.  :)  I've avoided it each year.  But my "practical joker" best friend Ami still calls me some years at 2 a.m. to wake me up anyway.

Tradition #2:  Movies on Thanksgiving Night

I don't know why, but going to the movie theater on Thanksgiving afternoon or night is also a tradition.  Many movies make their debut that day or that week.  I guess that people are so full from eating lunch, and since no stores are open for shopping, the only thing to do is to go to the movies.

Tradition #3:  Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

All major television networks broadcast the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  The parade began in 1924 and has grown each year.  I'm sure it's wonderful to see in person, but it also keeps me glued to the television each year -- even as an adult.

Tradition #4:  American Football

All football leagues have football games from Thursday through Sunday on Thanksgiving week.  Most men "check out" mentally during these days and are glued to the television.  I have no idea why it's such a tradition, but it is.

Tradition #5:  Volunteering

Generally I spend Thanksgiving morning volunteering to feed the homeless.  Many other Americans also donate their time on this day to make sure that nobody is without food. I started feeding the homeless each year when I was about Jule's age and have continued it most years in my home town of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.