The holiday season is a time steeped in both cultural tradition and family customs. Whether your family gathers around the TV to watch the Macy’s Day parade, or you spend your time outside for the annual flag football game – the importance of getting together and spending quality time is really what matters. One of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions is, of course, the meal. In fact, the luxurious spread pf favorite foods is often the highlight of the entire day. At Ah Sam Florist, we love knowing that our designs and arrangements are being used to make your holiday table festive.
You may know that our modern holiday was inspired by a harvest celebration in 1621. The Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Indians. met for a meal to give gratitude for the abundant crops, and although there was reportedly no turkey on the table, they did feast on waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, and clams. The berries, fruit, and gourds would have been very similar to those we include today.
Thanksgiving Trivia
The venison supposedly arrived at the celebration as a gift from the Wampanoag king Massasoit, the first Thanksgiving Day “hostess gift”.
Unfortunately, the two groups would never eat together again, as hostilities later arose. In fact, although the event inspired a few meals throughout the years, it wasn’t routinely observed until 1863, when President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official holiday. It was Alexander Hamilton who reportedly said “No citizen of the U.S. shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day.”
Just for Fun
Although cranberries and pumpkins were likely both on the table that first Thanksgiving, they didn’t take the forms we are familiar with. Without much sugar, which was a high-priced luxury – as well as the cooking techniques of the time – it is more historically likely that the cranberries were roasted and the pumpkin served more like a stew.
Decorating your home with fall flowers, gourds, and other harvest-themed items is the perfect way to embellish the ambiance for the big meal. If you are an invited guest at someone else’s table, we recommend a beautiful floral arrangement for your host and hostess. Whatever customs you choose to follow, Thanksgiving traditions are warm and inviting – and delicious! We wish you and your a wonderful San Mateo Thanksgiving holiday.
