Happy Thanksgiving! Expats share what they love about Thanksgiving & why we should celebrate it too
While recent years have seen the adoption of holidays previously not celebrated on the Maltese Islands (Halloween, anyone?), Thanksgiving is not a celebration we’ve assimilated into Maltese culture. it’s not that we don’t have anything to be thankful for - on the contrary - it’s just that the tradition hasn't really infused itself into our Novembers. Expats from the US and Canada that now call Malta home do still celebrate the tradition with pride though, and more than a little nostalgia!
After speaking to a few non-Maltese, non-European friends, it became very clear that Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and appreciation, and hey, we love all those things!
Getting excited for the holidays is something we Maltese associate with Christmas and well, summer. But wouldn’t it be great if November brought an added zing of excitement? Celebrated today, 22nd November this year, Thanksgiving doesn't have a fixed date like your birthday or New Year. Think of it as a festivity that's as flexible as Easter but as magical as Christmas. It's set for the fourth Thursday of November, and is mainly characterised by food (now that's familiar!), primarily the turkey.
According to our expat friends, Thanksgiving Dinner is usually prepared by the entire family. Think mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, cornbread and a whole lot more that is passed down from generation to generation. We'd think it wouldn't take much to convince the Maltese people to enjoy a festivity when there’s this much food involved!
One of the best food items associated with the holiday however, has got to be the coveted pumpkin pie. Mabel Syrup, a California-raised legend who’s lived in Malta for several years, points out her love for the pumpkin treat. “My mom's pumpkin pie cake is a true staple in our family, and is always the most highly-anticipated of the wild selection of desserts. I always miss it!”
Apart from the food and all its glorious bounty, Thanksgiving is all about family and friends; the things we are most thankful for in life and the elements that make us happy. So whether it’s your dog or your new found love for pumpkin pie - why not share a few words of thanks this Thanksgiving?