Beech Tree News Network

Thanksgiving is only days away, and my grocery list is growing. My family gathers together annually on Thanksgiving Day to eat. Family traditions are an important part of holidays.

Thanksgiving-related statistics reveal much about traditions and include some of the following information:

- Total number of turkeys consumed on Thanksgiving Day is 51,000,000.

-Average household spending on Thanksgiving dinner is $54.18

-The value of all pumpkins produced annually is $117 million.

-Annual cranberry production is 7.5 million barrels.

-The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds.

-A 15-pound turkey usually has about 70% white meat and 30% dark meat.

-Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.

(http://www.statisticbrain.com/thanksgiving-statistics/; http://www.newsplex.com/seasonal/misc/33852054.html).

I recently read that some of the common Thanksgiving traditions include (1) turkey and trimmings, (2) football, (3) parades, and (4) giving thanks (http://genealogy.about.com/od/holidays/tp/thanksgiving.htm). I asked friends and family about their favorite Thanksgiving tradition. Their replies are below:

-I love to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade in my pajamas, curled up on the couch with a cup of hot cider.

-The food!

-Going around the table and saying something we are thankful for. Keeps us humble!

-We normally watch a Christmas movie like Elf or Christmas Vacation.

Kids and grandkids decorate our Christmas tree.

-My grandmother has a pot of spaghetti to go with the turkey and dressing.

-Getting together with family that I haven’t seen in a while.

-Family meals!

-Setting aside a day to BE thankful for all the blessings in our lives.

-Spending time with family and going shopping after everyone else in the house goes to bed.

-Slowing down enough to enjoy wonderful meals with my husband’s family at lunch and my family at supper.

Soon, we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving. The Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart” (http://www.quotegarden.com/thanksgiving.html). I have to agree that setting aside a day to be thankful is a wonderful tradition. Since I am richly blessed with family and friends, I think I’ll start counting my blessings today.