So, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what would Thanksgiving

What holiday wouldn’t want to win this lovely piece of hardware?

be without a Daily Gumboot post on it? Thanksgiving is probably my favourite holiday, and, in my opinion wins the ‘war of the holidays’ trophy yet again.

Here are the top 5 ways Thanksgiving fosters community and solidifies it’s first-place-standing both in the ‘war-of-the-holidays’ battle, and in my heart:

1.)   Thanksgiving: the holiday where traditions are created and persist for years … and years and years and years

Traditions are really, really important. When the waterless flood/rise of the robots/macrobit meltdown comes and all technological means of communication are destroyed (stay tuned for a rousing – and totally fact-based – article on this), how else will the elements of our culture be passed from generation to generation? My favourite thing about Thanksgiving traditions is how unique they are across families – these special familial traditions remind us of where we have come from, and link past and future generations in a tangible way. My favourite Burtnyk traditions includes the 1-word-collaborative-toast, and the games … so, so many games

2.)   Thanksgiving: the healthiest holiday.

Yes, despite the pumpkin pie and the increased intake of food (some may call it ‘gorging’), Thanksgiving may very well be the healthiest holiday. First, it’s very inclusive, which plays an important role in mental health. Some holidays are fairly exclusive: Valentine’s Day being primarily for couples, Halloween primarily for kids and crazy young-folk. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is for everyone. And when you compare Thanksgiving to Christmas, many studies (including this one conducted by the Canadian Mental Health Association) have found that rates of depression increase over the Christmas season.

3.)   The Food.

Need I say more? Thanksgiving has traditionally been about giving thanks for a successful harvest (for us Canadians, at least), and as such the celebration revolves around delicious food. And unlike a few unnamed holidays (who definitely weren’t in the running for the trophy), Thanksgiving isn’t based

Kim, your pumpkin cheesecake looks so much better than this

around unhealthy or artificial foods like chocolate or green beer – it’s based on hearty, often-times local, vegetables and meats, which are more often than not home-made. There’s nothing better to get the conversation going than waiting 5 hours for a turkey (well, except for a glass of wine or two, which luckily goes hand in hand with a good ‘ol home cooked Thanksgiving feast!). While we’re on the subject of food, I have to give two shout outs: one to my soon-to-be sister-in-law who makes the most delicious pumpkin cheesecake imaginable, and the other to Erik Smith, executive chef of The Regional Tasting Lounge in Yaletown. Mr. Smith was recently featured on CBC’s The Early Edition, treating our favourite morning host Rick Cluff to a delectable take on the most dubious Thanksgiving side dish: the brussel sprout. Check out his recipe for Braised Brussel Sprouts with Double Smoked Bacon here

4.)   Thanksgiving reminds us of those less fortunate

The history of Thanksgiving goes back … way back. There is some contestation as to what the actual ‘beginning’ of the holiday was, but most agree that early explorers who arrived Canada and celebrated accordingly played a role. According to the interscape, one such celebration occurred when French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, held huge feasts of thanks, generously sharing food with their Indian neighbours. Thanksgiving reminds us to give thanks for what we have and share with our neighbours, friends, and those less fortunate within our communities. As one of my favourite quotes goes, “How we treat the ‘least’ of beings amongst us determines our humanity” (Author Unknown)

5.)   Evading the pit of consumption and commercialization

Most holidays are about stuff. Christmas has become synonymous with presents, and somehow on Valentine’s Day the degree of love between you and your partner is measured by the price tag on the gifts exchanged. Thanksgiving has seemed to evade this trend towards consumption and commercialization, and has remained true to its roots: giving thanks for what we have, through delicious food and scrumptious conversation.

So, I ask you dear Gumboot readers, what are your favourite things about Thanksgiving? Do you have any unique traditions you’d like to share? Any recipes that will show up the amazing heart-attack-in-a-dish brussel sprout creation?