As we enter Thanksgiving week of 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on Thanksgiving from a numerical perspective. However, before diving into statistics and estimates related to this holiday, I want to express that Thanksgiving has become the “forgotten” holiday.
Think about it for a moment. As Americans, we get excited about a variety of events throughout the year: the NCAA Football Championship game and the Super Bowl, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July, and the excitement surrounding the start of Friday night football. Then there’s Labor Day, which, let’s be honest, isn’t quite as exhilarating. Moving into October, we celebrate Halloween, with people decorating their homes, businesses, and themselves with ghosts and goblins, while handing out candy to children. Although the dental industry might advise against excessive candy consumption, we all know that more candy usually leads to more dental appointments.
Once Halloween passes, we quickly turn our attention to Christmas. Now, I must admit, I love Christmas! However, we must not overlook Thanksgiving. It is a holiday that deserves our recognition. Almighty God has blessed us in so many ways, and on this day, we should take the time to truly be grateful for what we have.
History of Thanksgiving
The first Thanksgiving celebration took place in the fall of 1621, specifically between September 21 and November 9. However, some argue that it may have occurred in 1619 at Berkeley Hundred in Virginia, or even in Texas in 1598 by the Spanish. Regardless, this event happened well over 400 years ago, as explorers and settlers seeking new opportunities from Europe came together to express gratitude to God for their survival and provisions in the New World.
Most of us reference the Thanksgiving celebration from 403 years ago. According to historians, this gathering brought together at least 90 Wampanoag people and 52 English settlers. The meal included venison (deer meat), corn, shellfish, roasted meats, and native wild plants such as cranberries, Jerusalem artichokes, and Concord grapes. Interestingly, there was no turkey served. The colonists likely did not have potatoes, butter, wheat flour, or ovens, which means pumpkin pie and sweet cranberry sauce were also absent.
So, what was the purpose of Thanksgiving? The answer is quite simple: The Pilgrims gave thanks to God for a successful harvest after experiencing a year of scarcity and illness.
Other historical moments in Thanksgiving include President Lincoln’s proclamation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday on October 3, 1863. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to officially pardon a turkey. Each year, two turkeys are sent to the White House: one is a backup, while the other is pardoned. Interestingly, there are only two U.S. communities named Turkey: Turkey, North Carolina, and Turkey, Texas. Both towns are quite small, with Turkey, Texas having a population of 317 and Turkey, North Carolina having a population of 213. Both towns are named after the wild turkey that was once plentiful in the area.
Thanksgiving Dinner
There’s an age-old debate about the word “dinner.” When I was growing up in the flatlands of Northwest Lubbock County, we referred to lunch as dinner and supper simply as supper. However, some folks here on the South Plains, even in Terry County, refer to lunch as lunch and supper as dinner. Regardless of what you call each meal, know that on Turkey Day—whether it’s breakfast, lunch, supper, or dinner—there will be plenty to eat! While you’re filling your belly, who really cares if it’s lunch, supper, or dinner? You have the freedom to refer to this food event however you like.
This all ties back to why we celebrate Thanksgiving. We are truly blessed to have the freedoms that some nations do not enjoy. On Thanksgiving Day, people typically consume between 3,150 and 4,500 calories! It’s worth noting that Americans collectively consume around 8.3 billion calories from turkey alone each Thanksgiving. Interestingly, it takes roughly 10 hours for a man to burn off those 4,500 calories. But let’s be honest—it’s Thanksgiving! Do we really count calories on this day?
This year, approximately 46 million turkeys are expected to be sold for Thanksgiving. The estimated cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people will be $61.17, which isn’t too shabby considering the inflation we’ve faced in recent years. The average number of guests, including household members, is 9. Moreover, 13% of Americans plan to order takeout from a restaurant or dine out for Thanksgiving. Come on, 13%! Let’s allow others to enjoy Thanksgiving at home!
The most expensive Thanksgiving dinner on record occurred in 2018 at New York City’s Old Homestead Steakhouse, costing an astounding $150,000. I hope there was some gold in that turkey! Finally, 54% of Americans say they plan to try adding new side dishes and recipes to their Thanksgiving menu. Maybe it’s time to rethink that green or pink jello salad and avoid baking those Brussels sprouts!
American’s Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes
*NOTE: The figures are the percentage of times each dish won their matchups
- 83% Turkey
- 78% Mashed Taters
- 77% Dressing or Stuffin’ (BTW: There is a difference between these two)
- 74% Bread or Rolls
- 65% Sweet Potatoes
- 52% Cranberry Sauce
Most Essential Thanksgiving Foods
- 68% of Americans will have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
- 50% of Americans will serve mashed taters and dressing.
- 41% of Americans will have gravy.
What kind of Pie?
Other Interesting By the Numbers Info
56% of Americans believe it’s important to offer a “meat-free” option for Thanksgiving. I’m not entirely sure about this; who did they poll? If you leave out the turkey and ham, the meal mainly consists of carbs.
When it comes to drinks, wine is the top choice (#1), which makes me appreciate our wine-grape producers in Terry County. Beer is second (#2), followed by whiskey at third (#3). On average, men consume about 3.1 drinks on Thanksgiving, while women consume an average of 2.4 drinks.
The average cost for hosting Thanksgiving is $361, which includes food, drinks, and home decor. Just six years ago, the cost was around $220.
87% of Americans say they will celebrate Thanksgiving; however, 60% plan to host or consider hosting. 24% of respondents said that high costs might deter them from hosting.
Additionally, 66% of people prefer their turkey baked, while 34% prefer it cooked in other ways. It’s all about personal choice. For example, when I make a protein drink, I refer back to James Bond, “Shaken, not stirred.” However, I would choose fried turkey over any other method!
Thanksgiving Entertainment
Since 1966, two NFL teams have played football on Thanksgiving Day: America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Detroit Lions. The Lions have a Thanksgiving record of 37 wins, 44 losses, and 2 ties, having played on the holiday every year since 1934. The Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving lineup in 1966 and have a record of 33 wins, 22 losses, and 1 tie, although they missed the Thanksgiving games in 1975 and 1977. This was because the NFL felt it was unfair for the Cowboys to receive all the national attention due to their success and Super Bowl wins at that time. This is reminiscent of the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality. Since 1966, the Lions’ record on Thanksgiving is 24 wins and 33 losses.
Another Thanksgiving tradition is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, which began 100 years ago in 1924. It was originally called the “Macy’s Christmas Day Parade.” Yes, I know it seems a bit confusing since it actually takes place on Thanksgiving Day! The parade features 15 balloons, 14 floats, 12 marching bands, 2 performance groups, and partridge in a pear tree.—just kidding about the partridge in a pear tree! Approximately 2.5 million spectators attend the event live, while over 45 million people watch it on television, including my family, which usually consists of six or seven of us.
