Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is an annual Canadian holiday held on the second Monday every October.
Thanksgiving is an important date in the annual calendar for Canadians because it signifies the end of the harvest season and celebrates a time to focus on faith and gratitude for family, community and abundance. Many people have the Monday off work and school, making it a three-day weekend (Saturday–Monday).
Below at Stiltz Home Elevators, we have put together five different ways to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.
Enjoy a Home Celebration
There is no place like home for Thanksgiving and keeping things intimate and in your own space can be more personal, relaxing and rewarding.
Whether it is hosting a full family feast or keeping your circle small, expressing gratitude for the food you are sharing and enjoying the company of loved ones is what Thanksgiving is all about.
As you prepare to host your extended family for Thanksgiving, ensure the home is comfortable and accessible for every generation, from the youngest kids to the grandparents.
Along with arranging extra seating and preparing guest rooms, the comfort and convenience of a home elevator, a well-placed, accessible chair or establishing clear pathways and passing points all make your home even more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
It is those thoughtful touches that quietly enhanced your celebration, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying time together.
Plan a getaway
Thanksgiving might be one of the few times a year that extended family can get together.
Added to the fact that the second weekend in October is historically the last weekend for good weather, some like the idea of taking advantage of the long weekend and organising a long weekend away.
Plan with friends and split the cost of a cabin in an idyllic location such as Yosemite. Alternatively, you might prefer to explore a new location on a buzzy city break. You might even consider going further afield with an international trip to Hawaii or Mexico.
What you decide upon might be based on your budget and preferred travel style, whether you are looking for an outdoor escape, cultural adventure, or more of a luxurious escape.
Volunteering & Giving Back
With Thanksgiving’s core message centered around giving thanks for the harvest and expressing gratitude, offering your free time or expertise over the weekend can be an excellent way to volunteer or give back to your local community.
Consider volunteering to distribute meals at a community kitchen or homeless shelter. Your help might also be appreciated with cooking, preparing or delivering thanksgiving meals to those in need.
Another idea could be donating or sorting food at a food bank. There is always an increase in donations at this time of year, and many charitable food banks will be extremely pleased for the extra support.
Finally, why not organise a food drive? Start collecting through your workplace, school or neighborhood with a focus on long lasting, nonperishable items which can then be processed and distributed by a local church or charity.
Attend a Sporting Event
Cheer on your favourite team from the couch or in person!
Tune in to CFL’s Thanksgiving Day Classic or join fellow fans for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s Monday night home game.
The NHL doubleheader is a great event and opportunity to get your friends together and share the holiday spirit.
If you’re looking for something closer to home, or just for an opportunity to get your friends all in one place, be sure to check out charity runs and fun walks that might be going on in your area during the long weekend.
Take part in a parade
The colourful tradition originally started in Philadelphia in 1920, with more and more parades popping up across North America as the years have gone by.
Now, one of the most popular parades, the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade in Ontario, takes place on October 13, and involves a colourful array of different balloons.
The parade uses locally designed floats, as well ones that honour and appreciate first responders and local sports teams- so there’s an interesting variety to appreciate.
Embrace the noise and fun and round up your friends to join in with the community spirit and don’t forget to encourage older family members to attend as it can be an excellent day out for all ages.