Do expats choose to mark the quintessentially American festivity abroad and if so, what traditions do they keep up? As preparations are finalised across the US for Thanksgiving, hundreds of thousands of American expats around the world are choosing how to celebrate the festivity wherever they find themselves. The celebration is deeply rooted in American history, with thanksgiving services and harvest festivals recorded as early as the 17th century. So do expats choose to mark the quintessentially American festivity abroad and if so, what traditions do they keep up? Euronews Travel talked to four Americans living in Europe to find out.
Jodi lives in Ispica, a small town on the east coast of Sicily close to where her Italian ancestors originated. Back in the US, Thanksgiving was her favourite and an all-out celebration in her household. “Thanksgiving has been the only holiday that has ever been important to me, I was so over the commercialisation of Christmas,” she says.
“This was a gathering of family and friends together for a fabulous all-day eating experience and showing my gratitude for them being in my life. I’ve cooked for as many as 40 for a sit-down dinner.” Since coming to Sicily, she has found it harder to maintain the tradition.
“It’s been a culture shock and I haven’t celebrated a Thanksgiving with all the trimmings yet,” she says. “It’s different to not have that but I’m becoming ok with it.” Instead, she has come to embrace other festivi.