10 Reasons American Thanksgiving Is Better Than Canada’s & 10 Reasons The North Reigns Supreme
10 Reasons American Thanksgiving Is Better Than Canada’s & 10 Reasons The North Reigns Supreme
When’s the Best Time to Celebrate?
A month might not seem like a big difference between the holidays—you get turkey either way, you’ll see all your loved ones, and either way, it kicks off the start of Christmas season. However, that thirty-or-so-day difference is a big deal for some people, and depending on where you celebrate, it dictates your opinion on Thanksgiving as a whole. It’s time we finally weighed apples and oranges to figure out the best time to celebrate Turkey Day!
1. Macy’s Day Parade
Say what you want about the hustle of American holidays, but the Macy’s Day parade is one of the top aspects of Thanksgiving. You not only get to enjoy all the cool floats, but viewers can tune in to musical performances and larger-than-life balloons. This year marks the 99th annual parade, so you know it’s a good time!
2. NFL Games
What’s American Thanksgiving without American football? It isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s hard not to get excited during the kick-off. The more people are into it, the more infectious that energy is, and it turns any day from a boring holiday into a thrilling day on the field.
3. Incoming Black Friday
We’ll be honest: Black Friday isn’t what it used to be. However, the so-called deals of today are still worth getting pumped about—especially when all your favorite haunts drop their prices. Whether you’re picking up something or yourself or grabbing an early holiday present, you’ll find decent deals wherever you go.
4. It’s a Bigger Deal
American Thanksgiving is an event. Family comes from all ends of the country, you have feasts fit for a king, and the whole house hums with excitement. Not everyone likes a busy holiday packed with family, but it’s a beloved tradition in the States.
5. Presidential Turkey Pardon
As much as we love turkey, we love watching them run free even more. It’s true, turkeys aren’t the kindest birds, but you’d be pretty grumpy too if hunters tried to snag you for the dinner table. Luckily, at least one bird gets off scot-free every year.
The White House from Washington, DC on Wikimedia
6. It Kicks Off the Holidays
American Thanksgiving means the official start of holiday season, and it’s hard not to get excited about the incoming parades and gingerbread houses! There are only so many weeks left in the year, too, which means it’s time to start planning that well-earned break.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
7. The National Dog Show
Oh, you thought the Macy’s Day Parade was something to watch? Stick around afterward to see the best good boys and girls in the National Dog Show. Only one pup gets crowned “Best in Show,” but those cuties are all winners to us!
8. You’ll Likely See Extended Relatives
Remember what we said about American Thanksgiving being an event? Well, that big-holiday energy encourages extended family to visit. You’ll likely see people you haven’t seen in years, which makes the whole day even more special.
9. Tons of Side Dishes
Okay, it’s true: you get a wider variety of main dishes in Canada, but Americans have all the side dishes you could ever want. We’re talking everything from salads and desserts to casseroles and potato dishes. Whatever you’re craving, you can bet someone brought it.
10. More Time Off From Work
Given the popularity of American Thanksgiving, employees also get more time off during the holidays. Unlike Canada, which typically only grants a long weekend, Americans might score an extra-long vacation!
Alright, so what about their neighbors to the North? Don’t you worry—Canadians have plenty to write home about as well.
1. Prettier Aesthetics
There’s a reason tourists flock to Canadian cities in the fall. The autumnal foliage is unmatched, and considering Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier in the year, you can enjoy every turned leaf alongside your turkey dinner.
2. It’s a Low-Key Holiday
What’s worse than stressful holidays? Sure, American Thanksgiving means more time with loved ones, but it also signals the incoming Christmas rush. For Canadians, that’s not an issue. Their holiday is just shy of Halloween, and no one’s even thinking about presents yet—it’s just a day to relax.
Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash
3. A Nice Break From Turkey
We like turkey as much as the next guy, but Americans have back-to-back dinners. It’s nice to break up those hearty meals with at least a month of downtime; the last thing you want is to groan when someone brings out another bird.
4. Flexible Schedule
Canadians have the freedom to choose their holiday schedule. Their Thanksgiving can be celebrated any day of the long weekend, allowing more people to make the drive or get their ducks in a row.
5. More Main Course Options
We promise this isn’t a Dear John letter to turkey! We like it! In fact, we like it so much that we enjoy preserving it for special occasions. Canadians understand that, too, which is why they have more main course options. Rather than a plump bird, you could see anything from ham, duck, or even fish.
6. Unique Desserts
Canadians have their own amazing desserts that you just don’t see in America. (No, we’re not talking about Kinder Eggs or ketchup chips). Lucky guests can sink their teeth into butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, or even a scrumptious maple syrup pie!
7. Less Shopping Stress
No one wants to worry about draining their savings account after Thanksgiving, but Americans almost have no choice. They’re hit immediately with Black Friday deals and Christmas shopping stress, with barely a month between the two holidays. Canadians, on the other hand, don’t.
8. Opportunity to Harvest
Since Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, the holiday aligns perfectly with harvest season! You can grab fresh apples or hit up a farmer’s market for freshly picked produce, all of which can earn their spot on the dinner table.
Bethany Ballantyne on Unsplash
9. It Isn’t That Cold Yet
Hey, it’s a holiday, and that means a little glam is in order! But it’s hard to wear your nicest dress when it’s freezing outside. Though Canadians catch flak for their sub-zero temperatures, those frigid numbers aren’t present in October.
10. It’s Its Own Holiday
American Thanksgiving kind of blends in with Christmas. Sure, it’s nice to experience them all in one go, but it’s nicer when holidays are their own event. In Canada, you have a few weeks between Thanksgiving and Halloween, giving you enough time to celebrate both. You won’t hear Christmas music in the stores either!
