After the pilgrims left England and before they landed on Plymouth Rock, they arrived in Leiden, The Netherlands where they lived there for 11 years. So while having a traditional Thanksgiving celebration here can be a bit of a challenge, as I explained in this post, there is also something very special about celebrating this very American holiday in the place it started, basically. Here are some of the ways I’ve enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving in Holland over the years.
They ain’t easy to procure, and are eye-wateringly expensive, but get over all of that, go buy a turkey, make all the traditional side dishes and desserts then invite an international cast to enjoy an American feast. Over the years I’ve had guests from Australia (probably the best, because they are game for anything), Holland (who don’t quite get the pumpkin pie thing) and England (polite, as always, but more fun to invite them to an Independence Day celebration and rub in the fact that we won), all of whom really enjoyed the chance to partake in the Thanksgiving festivities.
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Thanksgiving lunch included “smashed” potatoes and cranberry apple crumble. |
4. Thanksgiving with International Friends
I don’t always get a turkey or play hostess. In the past I’ve been the invited to celebrate to the home of American friends, joined fellow Americans at their place of employment where a Thanksgiving meal was served for lunch, or shared a bountiful, potluck meal with the congregation of the church I attend. In those years, on the actual day, we give thanks while eating leftovers from the fridge (because not having to cook is a really good reason to give thanks) and continue our tradition of watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.