Families have their holiday customs. For years our family observed a tradition my sons are thrilled not to continue.
The Gathering of the Leaves
A lot of trees covered our property. Mature trees with leaves, the kind that sail to earth in the autumn. We never invested in a leaf blower. Why waste the money when we had two able-bodied boys to do the work? There were times when hub shined the car lights on the lawn so the work could get done. As the boys got older they were thrilled to return to college – early if necessary – to avoid the dreaded chore. But fresh air, exercise, family time together – what could be better?
A lot, apparently. We now live in a house with only a couple of trees. The largest is an evergreen that does not shed. The boys and their families, with kids old enough to join in the family tradition, do not descend on our house for the holiday. If we join them at their humble abodes, hub and I, as members of the older generation, are exempt from the work involved in the gathering of the leaves (says me). We are relegated – happily! – to watch the effort from inside a warm house, wrapped in a blanket, rocking away, sipping a cup of coffee or spiked cider or eggnog.
Another family tradition observed at my home and homes on Thanksgiving morning involves the TV, a favorite beverage, and a comfy chair – watching Thanksgiving Day parades. Adventurous folks participate in the parades or view the spectacles from the sidelines, but most of us opt to remain in the comfort of our homes.
Parades are one of the most revered Thanksgiving traditions. Philadelphia held the first parade in 1920. Originally the Gimbels Parade – Gimbels a major department store – now known as the 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Parade, co-sponsored by a TV station and a restaurant chain. What a great combination! Gather the crowd, send one person to the local Dunkin for a large box of munchies, turn on the tube, settle in and enjoy hours of couch potato-ing before dinner!
Probably the most famous parade is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first one marched down New York City streets on Christmas, 1924. Over 250,000 people witnessed the spectacle. It was such a success the parade became a yearly event, rescheduled for Thanksgiving to usher in the holiday buying season and welcome Santa Claus.
A hallmark of holiday parades is balloons. Felix the Cat deserves the honor as the first parade balloon, making his appearance in New York in 1926. Today’s Macy’s parade includes giant balloons, about 30 floats, 1,500 dancers and cheerleaders, over 750 clowns, and marching bands from around the country – over 8,000 participants. The parade route is 2.65 miles long.
Plymouth, Massachusetts holds America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade, highlighted by a military flyover, floats, and costumed folks representing residents from the 17th century to the present.
Many towns sponsor races – walking, running, one mile or longer, known as Turkey Trots. The first Turkey Trot took place in Buffalo, New York, in 1896, and occurs every year. About 13,000 participate in the 4.97-mile race.
Let’s not forget Black Friday. The origin of the term? Philadelphia police officers called the day Black Friday because of the heavy traffic and the tendency for more accidents. The common belief is that the expression refers to the date retailers’ profits swing from the red to black.
Football is another 20th century addition to Thanksgiving celebrations. We can thank the first Detroit Lions owner, G. A. Richards, for Thanksgiving and football becoming synonymous. The first Thanksgiving game was broadcast in 1934. It was a hit, and the rest, as they say (unfortunately), is history.
If not interested in watching football, the National Dog Show is televised following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
For your holiday enjoyment…
One of the best Thanksgiving TV pieces is a WKRP segment. Many readers probably remember the iconic sitcom. Here is the Thanksgiving segment for your viewing pleasure.
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