Thanksgiving is celebrated differently based on location.  While Thanksgiving is a holiday for all americians it is not celebrated exactly the same. The holiday is celebrated with different traditions. The diversity of the holiday does not change the general idea, though, as it is always viewed as a day to give thanks.

In the United States Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.  Most people observe Thanksgiving day and the following Friday for this holiday.  It is celebrated with a large meal shared with family and friends.  It is the one holiday where extended family usually comes together to celebrate as one large family.

The meal is usually served around noon and includes a turkey, side dishes and dessert. A traditional meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, gravy, corn, green beans, bread and pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving menus vary from region to region and from culture to culture. celebrations In the south, cornbread is part of the meal, where in the north
white bread is used. In the Northeast, instead of turkey, the main course may be crab. The remainder of the day is most likely spent watching football on TV.  The Macy’s thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a tradition for the holiday. The parade ends with Santa Clause and is considered the kick off of the Christmas season.

 Many other cities also have their own thanksgiving parades. Thanksgiving in the United States is a tradition based upon the celebration held by the pilgrims for their first abundant harvest after they came to America.

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings of life. Families gather together to celebrate and give thanks. The meals are large and filled with hearty foods. The day is spent socializing and relaxing. The Thanksgiving holidays are centered around people who settled the country centuries ago and who were grateful to find such a wonderful place to live.

  A great Thanksgiving celebration can be ruined if someone is hurt, injured or becomes sick.  Safety may not always be on the top of the list of things to do when planning Thanksgiving, but it should be. 

Staying safe is easy when a person simply keeps it in mind.  There are safety concerns for different aspects of the holiday celebration, but it is very easy to make sure everyone stays safe with a little preparation and planning.

The major source of Thanksgiving safety problems is the food.  By being aware of some basic food safety rules you can ensure a safe and healthy meal.  The turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of  212 degrees or more and never cooked at a temperature less than 325 degrees. 

When using a meat thermometer a person should ensure they are reaching the deepest part of the meat and not touching bone.  If the turkey comes with a pop up device it should still be checked with a thermometer to ensure the temperature is hot enough. 

Additionally, the turkey should be thawed in the refrigerator or in a cold water soak where the water is kept cold at all times. It should never be left out on the counter.  When stuffing the turkey the stuffing should be partially cooked before stuffing the bird and loose so that it is cooked completely. 

Other menu items should be kept heated or refrigerated.  Food should not be left out for more than an hour after serving.  Bacteria can multiply rapidly on food that is not cooked completely or that is left out. Remember, bacteria doubles every 20 minutes. A simple example (100 = 200 = 400 = 800 etc.)

Other safety concerns involve the physical safety of guests.  The décor for the party should be age appropriate for all guests.  Toddlers can easily get hurt by low garland or hanging decorations. Candles are another thing to be aware of as they should be kept up and away from areas where they could become a fire hazard. 

Another consideration is providing adequate lighting outside for guests who will be leaving when it is dark.  If it has snowed or there has been ice on the walkways they should be treated to ensure guests do not fall.  Any special accommodations should be made for guests with special needs, like wheelchairs.  

 It is important to be aware of the needs of guests as this will allow for a person to plan for the best safety measures. By being aware of guests and general food safety a person can ensure their Thanksgiving holiday goes smoothly without harm to guests.  Keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold will help to ensure harmful bacteria does not become a presence in the dishes.   Keeping in mind the needs of guests, especially the younger and older guests, will help ensure that each guest has a safe time.