Happy Thanksgiving from Gift Baskets For Children!

Thanksgiving Day Origins:

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the USA.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.

The first USA  Thanksgiving celebration day is noted as a regal celebration and feast.

In 1621 newly settled Pilgrims from the Plymouth Colony (Known to us now as Massachusetts) shared  squash, corn, and wild turkeys  with the local Wampanoag Indians.

It wasn’t until ten years later that that original Thanksgiving celebration  was repeated.

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be a national holiday.

Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1879, by The Canadian Parliament.

Thanksgiving Terms of Celebration:

Pilgrim’s Hat – Also called a ‘cockel’ or a ‘ travelers’ hat because of its wide brim that helps shield the sun from the face.  Often the brim was trimmed with a scallop shell that identified the traveler’s pilgrim status.

Pilgrims used to put cockle-shells upon their hats, to indicate that they were pilgrims. Cockles are symbols of St. James, patron saint of Spain.

Pilgrims – Identified as a traveler who  is on a journey to a Holy place.  Notable pilgrims include Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi, and Margery Kempe.

Wampanoag Indians - Wampanoag were a semi-sedentary tribe with seasonal movements between fixed camps in present-day southern New England.  Their main diet staples consisted of squash, corn, and beans which they supplemented with by hunting fish and game.

Cornucopia – Also known as the ‘Horn of Plenty,’ to symbolize nourishment and abundance.  It’s design of a horn is usually shown filled with nuts, produce, flowers and other delicate and edible foods or some symbols of wealth.

Scarecrow – Originally used to chase crows from the fields so that corn crops and seeds were not devoured.  They were believed to have magical powers at one point and said to help with the coming of the Spring.  Modern days have given into modern technology and have designated the scarecrow as a symbol of  fall harvest seasons.

The scarecrow exists in the popular imagination as a stick figure dressed in human clothes.  Scarecrows were originally intended to discourage crows from feeding on recently cast seeds, and scavenging healthy crops.

In reality, however, crows are not scared of scarecrows and the modern farmer will more than likely resort to noise guns or reflective strips.

Thanksgiving Kids Craft:

 Table Decoration Center Piece – 3 Thanksgiving Geese:

Adult supervision requested – Use of knife involved

Materials:

1. Sharp Knife
2. Cutting board
3. Ice pick or awl
4. 3 – Crookneck Squash – With stems attached (stems make interesting ‘beaks’)
5. Cardboard & wax paper for display stand
6. Glue/Tape
7. Whole cloves
8. Fall colored Tree Leaves

Directions:

1. Wash and the squash and pat it dry.
2. With the help of an adult, cut the stem to form a ‘beak’ angle.
3. Pierce a small hole with the ice pick or awl  to form an ‘eye’.
4. Place the whole clove into the eye ‘hole’ to create the eyes.
5. Cut the fat, round end off the squash so that it will sit flat on the table and not tip over.
6. Repeat this process for more Geese – Make as many as you want!
7. Cover the cardboard base with waxed paper.
8. Attach the waxed paper to the base with tape or glue.
9. Put Geese on your cardboard base and cover with the fall leaves for extra color and decoration.
10. Keep Geese on cardboard base to avoid moisture damage on your wooden surface or table from the squash.

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. “

~Meister Eckhart

Are you missing special family members this year for Thanksgiving and can’t get to see them.  They are probably missing you too!

Imagine their delight when they receive a special Gift Basket For Children From you!

Here at Giftbasketsforchildren.org, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

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