Thanksgiving Traditions: A Guide for Au Pairs

Au pairs, if this November you’re experiencing your first Thanksgiving you’re in for real treat. Between food, fun and gatherings you’re about to experience one of AuPairCare’s favorite holidays. What better way to experience an exchange of cultures than by diving into American traditions! Below are three of our favorite elements of American Thanksgiving.

The Macy’s Day Parade

A cultural institution, the popular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is takes place in New York City but is broadcast across the country every Thanksgiving Morning. Ending in the flagship Macy’s store in Herald Square, you can see songs and dances from Broadway plays, hear popular musicians and see tons of floats that took months to make! Every year a very special guest comes out at the end to open up the holiday season.

P.S. If you don’t follow the American Football games that will be on all day, be sure to catch the National Dog Show which comes on immediately following the parade.

Delicious Food

Foods such as deer, corn, and fish were probably served at the first Thanksgiving, but that has definitely changed. Today you’ll see that most (91%) of Americans eat turkey. That’s not the only traditional food however, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pies are also common – and lots of families have their own special recipes they feature once a year.

Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving is inspired by celebrations that Pilgrim settlers had in 1620’s. They would give thanks for many things including a good harvest or a new ship arriving safely to their colony. That tradition has been passed on over the years with families taking time to be grateful for their health, their family and friends, and probably even that they met an au pair as wonderful as you are!!