This is a post on how to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad.
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Thanksgiving can be a nostalgic and challenging holiday for expats and travellers who find themselves far from home. Yet, it’s also a chance to create new memories, introduce friends to American customs and enjoy a holiday centred around gratitude, connection and, of course, delicious food. Here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving abroad, with ideas to bring a bit of home to wherever you are in the world.
Host a Thanksgiving Dinner Party
The main attraction of Thanksgiving is the meal, so why not host your own? Here’s how to make it work:
- Simplify the Menu: Many traditional Thanksgiving ingredients can be tricky to find outside the U.S. Focus on classic, easy-to-find ingredients like roast chicken (if turkey is unavailable), mashed potatoes or seasonal vegetables like squash. Here in the UK you can easily find pumpkin puree, for instance. I get mine from my local Waitrose, but you can get it delivered straight to your door from Amazon. Same with cranberry sauce – most shops sell it!
- Delegate Dishes: Make it a potluck! Ask guests to bring a side or dessert. You could even provide recipes for traditional Thanksgiving sides, giving your friends a chance to try making something new.
- Add a Cultural Twist: Thanksgiving abroad is the perfect opportunity to mix cultures. Invite friends to bring dishes from their own country to the table for a cross-cultural Thanksgiving feast. As a Brazilian ex-au pair, I usually suggest to other Brazilian au pairs in the US to make pumpkin brigadeiros. They’re so delicious and a true mix of our two cultures. Here is a super easy recipe from Pies and Tacos!
- Order the full feast from Whole Foods! If you’re in London, you can order different dishes and sides or even a full Thanksgiving banquet! A 12-people feast is about £250 (if you split it between everyone, it’s only about £20 each – quite a bargain!). I’ve had it before and can confirm it’s pretty good.
Express Gratitude in New Ways
Thanksgiving is about more than just food; it’s a time to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Here are some meaningful ways to incorporate gratitude into your celebration:
- Create a Gratitude Wall: Put up sticky notes or a bulletin board and encourage everyone to write something they’re thankful for. This simple addition can create a heartwarming focal point for the evening.
- Host a Gratitude Circle: Before eating, gather everyone in a circle and take turns sharing one thing they’re thankful for. It’s a wonderful way to bond and add a personal touch to the holiday.
- Write Thank-You Notes: For a solo celebration or a small gathering, take a moment to write letters of gratitude to family and friends. Handwritten notes mailed across the globe will be a treasured surprise for loved ones.
Find or Stream Thanksgiving Events
While Thanksgiving parades and football games are quintessential parts of the American holiday, there are ways to enjoy them abroad:
- Stream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: You can often find the parade streaming online, so cozy up with a cup of coffee and watch the floats and festivities as if you were there.
- Catch a Football Game: Many American football games are broadcast internationally and some sports bars in expat-friendly areas may even host viewing parties. If you’re an NFL fan, invite friends to join you and introduce them to the excitement of American football. I live with an NFL fan and it’s super easy to get access to it via Sky Sports/NOW! The Hippodrome in Central London shows a lot of the games too!
- Join an Expat Thanksgiving Event: Many cities with large expat communities host Thanksgiving dinners or events. Check social media or expat forums to see if any local groups are gathering.
Travel to Celebrate Thanksgiving in a New Place
If you’re already abroad, Thanksgiving is an excellent opportunity for a long weekend getaway. To be honest, for me any excuse to get away is a valid one! I personally always take the day off on my birthday to go somewhere else. If you can’t do that on your birthday, when can you?!
But back to Thanksgiving…
- Explore a New City or Country: Turn Thanksgiving into a mini-vacation and explore a new city or country. Some cities like London, Paris and Tokyo, even have restaurants or communities offering Thanksgiving meals for expats.
- Book a Cozy Cabin Stay: If you’re in Europe, consider booking a cabin in the mountains for a cozy retreat. Imagine spending Thanksgiving by a fireplace with a hot drink and a few close friends or family members.
- Visit a Local Market: Local markets offer a chance to get creative with seasonal ingredients. Strolling through a market and cooking with local produce can bring a unique twist to Thanksgiving.
Cook an Alternative Thanksgiving Meal
When traditional ingredients aren’t available, try celebrating with an alternative Thanksgiving meal:
- Embrace Local Ingredients: Instead of sticking to turkey and stuffing, explore a traditional meal using local ingredients. In Japan, you might use rice and seafood; in Italy, you might cook a pasta feast.
- Make it a Thanksgiving Brunch: If you’re sharing Thanksgiving with friends from other cultures, hosting a Thanksgiving brunch could be easier and more accessible. Serve dishes like pancakes, eggs and pastries alongside some American treats like apple pie.
- Bake a Small-Scale Feast: If you’re solo or have a small group, try cooking a simplified, one-pan meal that still feels festive, like roast chicken with vegetables, sweet potatoes and a small dessert. Not quite as much of a feasty celebration but, when I was an au pair in Germany, my American friend came over for 4th of July wearing a US bandana and made us mac n cheese and we had a great time!
Connect Virtually with Family and Friends
Celebrating abroad doesn’t mean you have to feel isolated. Try these ideas to stay connected:
- Host a Virtual Thanksgiving: Set up a video call with family or friends, either during your meal or later in the day to share memories and gratitude.
- Cook Together Over Zoom: If family or friends are also up for cooking, set up a virtual cooking session. You can prepare and enjoy your meals together, even if you’re miles apart.
- Share Photos and Stories: Send pictures of your meal and decorations to your family back home. This makes loved ones feel connected and part of your experience, even if from afar.
Give Back to Your Community
Giving thanks often goes hand-in-hand with giving back. If you’re an expat, find ways to support your community, such as:
- Volunteer Locally: Look for local soup kitchens, shelters or community centres. Many will welcome extra hands during the holiday season.
- Donate to a Cause: Make a charitable donation to a cause you care about. Share it with family members as a meaningful way to spread gratitude and inspire them to do the same.
- Host a Community Potluck: If you have an expat network or know others who are spending Thanksgiving alone, invite them for a meal. A potluck dinner is a lovely way to meet new people and share the holiday spirit.
Embrace Local Traditions Alongside Your Own
Thanksgiving is a beautiful blend of tradition and togetherness, which makes it easy to combine with customs from your host country:
- Incorporate Local Customs: Depending on your location, consider adding local customs or foods to your celebration. In Italy, for example, you might incorporate traditional Italian dishes; in Germany, you might add a few sausages or seasonal vegetables.
- Learn About Other Celebrations of Gratitude: Some cultures have their own harvest or gratitude festivals. Research these events and see if there are any local celebrations you can join.
With a bit of creativity and an open heart, celebrating Thanksgiving abroad can be a deeply meaningful experience. Not only can you hold onto traditions from home, but you can also weave in the culture and flavours of your host country. Embracing this balance will make the holiday feel more like home while creating unique memories that will stay with you wherever you go!
