THANKSGIVING

Not all Thanksgiving Traditions are the Same

By Wolf Nazari

Thanksgiving is a holiday known to Americans as the day we shove as much food as possible into our bodies. Although most Americans stay close to your typical turkey feast, there are differences across the country. For example, it is prevalent in Rockland, Maine, to prepare a lobster dinner for Thanksgiving. This is because evidence shows that lobsters and other crustaceans were also highly likely eaten on the first thanksgiving. This tradition is also commonly held in the rest of Maine and other New England states, such as Vermont.

Another fascinating tradition is held in New Mexico and parts of Arizona. Because of these states’ Mexican influence, traditional thanksgiving foods are given a little more spice. For example, one typical Thanksgiving dish in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a chili-rubbed turkey. Austin, Texas’s tradition of deep frying turkeys for Thanksgiving is one last food tradition.

It's one thing to change the menu but another to add other traditions. In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a thanksgiving day firework show is held every year, and according to the city's website, it's Pigeon Forge's largest fireworks event. Another tradition in my hometown Los Angeles is the annual turkey trot. Their slogan is "Run the race before you stuff your face."

Although all the previously mentioned traditions have mentioned celebration, my favorite one is Plymouth, Massachusetts’ National Day of Mourning. Although Americans are taught at a young age that thanksgiving was a day when the pilgrims and the natives sat down in peace for a meal, this is not the case. Almost 100 natives were slaughtered on the day now known as the first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving by the Numbers

By Edward Morrison

Thanksgiving is a centuries-old American tradition that has been a huge component of American history. Frozen dinners were invented from America’s surplus of turkeys. Since thanksgiving involves a ton of food, I think it’s a good idea to look at Thanksgiving by the numbers.

As the star of Thanksgiving, nearly 46 million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving. The average American household spends about $60 dollars for Thanksgiving dinner. America produces 735 million pounds of cranberries each year most coming from the state of Wisconsin. Approximately 4 million Americans travel more than 50 miles during Thanksgiving weekend.

On Black Friday Americans spend 14.2 billion dollars. And that’s thanksgiving by the numbers.

Source: History.com, USDA, AAA

My Favorite Thanksgiving Foods

by Davina Separzadeh

Most people's favorite Thanksgiving foods are turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. Lots of people usually have these foods on their table on Thanksgiving.

My favorite Thanksgiving foods are turkey, mashed potatoes, pie, and corn. This is usually what I eat at Thanksgiving. It fits well with my picky taste buds and always tastes good. Most of the time, I'm too full to have pie after dinner, but usually, after 1 hour, my stomach feels better, and if I want, I get pie. My favorite pie flavors are apple, lemon Meringue, and pumpkin pie. I usually get one each year or a tiny bit of each piece.

Leaf Sprites Arts & Crafts Project

By Jack Sherry

MATERIALS

• Cardstock

• Pipe Cleaners

• Scissors

• Tape

• Printable leaf sheet

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Print the Posable Leaf Sprite PDF on cardstock. There are three pages of designs to choose from, but you may want all of them and more! Cut out the leaf shapes.

2. Fold and cut a pipe cleaner in half. Next, bend each of the pieces into a set of arms and a set of legs. You can fold in the ends to make hands and feet. Once you attach them to the leaves, you can still pose and bend the pipe cleaners, but it helps to give them a little shape to start.

3. Hold the pipe cleaner arms and legs in place on the back of a leaf shape, positioning them where you’d like. Then, tape them in place. Your first leaf sprite is now ready to spread some merry mischief!

4. You can also use bumpy pipe cleaners for the arms and legs. This type is especially good on larger leaves. Cut the pipe cleaners so you have two “bumps” for the arms and two for the legs. You can twist together the extra pieces to make more sets. Tape the arms and legs to the back of another leaf and start posing your little friend.

Now, the more sprites you have in your house, the more likely they are to get into trouble. But it’s still so much fun to have a whole bunch. They are so happy and playful! With a little bit of convincing, you can get your leaf sprites to stand or lean against something…or even sit on their own! You might notice that not all of them are happy about it though… Leaf sprites are usually good friends, so give them time to play together. They like to hold hands and dance around. Why not help a bunch of them join hands to form a garland? Whether you may a forest full of leaf sprites or just one, they are ready to bring you joy!

Happy crafting!

Credit : handmadecharlotte.com

Felt Turkeys Trott

by Staff

MATERIALS

• Colored felt fabric – yellow, orange, red, brown, black, and white.

• Needle and thread

• Pencil or pen – for tracing the template

• Scissors

• Cotton

• Hot glue gun

• Pattern

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Select the felt fabrics for the project and trace the patterns from the template onto the felt pieces.

2. The template includes- 2 parts for the body, 1 beak, 1 wattle, 10 feathers (2 for each feather pattern), 2 parts for the white area and 2 parts for the black area of eyes, 2 legs.

3. Take any of the main body pieces and stitch the eyes, beak and wattle on it.

4. If you prefer glue the pieces on with fabric glue rather than stitching them.

5. Take the second body piece and place it under the detailed one, matching the sides.

6. Stitch around the sides of the 2 body pieces but keep a small place open at the bottom side.

7. Stuff cotton through the opening, then place the 2 legs just inside the opening.

8. Stitch around the bottom of the turkey, closing the opening and attaching the legs at the same time. Tie and knot and cut off the extra thread.

9. Take any 2 feather pieces of the same color and place them together, making sure that the sides are matched.

10. Stitch around the sides of the feather pieces make sure to stuff a little cotton through the opening before sewing the feather all the way shut.

11. Repeat with the rest of the feathers.

12. While your glue gun heats, plan the arrangement of feathers on your turkey.

13. Glue the feathers on the back side of the stuffed turkey one by one.

14. Also attach a small piece of round felt cut out on the front.

Credit : bigfamilybusiness.com

How to Make a Maple Tree Leaf Globe

by Staff

Snow globes aren’t just for winter! This fall, make your own maple tree leaf globe just like the one you see here. Kids will love watching the leaves spin and swirl inside, and you will love that this is a budget-friendly craft that you can whip up in minutes. Take a look at how you can get busy making your own maple tree leaf globe. It is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of the fall season.

MATERIALS

• Canning jar with lid

• Hot glue, glue gun

• Twigs or sticks

• Twine

• Silk leaves

• Red, yellow, and orange metallic confetti

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Begin by filling the jar with water. Basic tap water works fine. Since the confetti will be weighted, there is no need to add any oils of any kind. The water is enough.

2. Flip the lid over and add a generous dab of glue to the center of it. Hot glue is best for this. Press a twig or stick to the glue, allowing the little branches to branch out and up. It should resemble a little tree.

3. Your little tree should be given time to dry in place.

4. Line the rim of the jar with glue. Quickly turn the lid over and insert the branch into the jar. Work slowly so you don’t bend and snap it. Screw the lid in place. Allow for several minutes to let the glue dry.

5. While the glue dries, you can decorate the lid with a little twine and silk leaves. Simply snip, tie, and glue them in place to your liking.

6. Now, just flip the jar over and give it a good shake. The red, yellow, and orange metallic confetti will twirl around the jar like a blustery fall day.

Credit: premeditatedleftovers.com