I arrived in America several years ago ready to experience an exciting and exhilarating new world after living many years in Pakistan. During my time here I have been introduced to different festivities. Among all of them I like Thanksgiving the most because it makes no explicit appeal to patriotism, politics or a particular religion, and requires no gifts to bestowed on anyone, except the gifts of being together and sharing nourishment.

Thanksgiving is celebrated across the US each November. Though American most often associate Thanksgiving with Pilgrims and New England Indians, the holiday, at least as an official national event, began 150 years ago at the height of the Civil War. Lincoln invited all Americans to observe it on the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and prayer to God.

Through my American friends I have learnt that people celebrate by enjoying stuffed turkey dinners and spending time with family. In some places there are big Thanksgiving Day parades. In New York City, Macy’s department store has one for children. Characters from story books, movies, and television march through the streets. In Philadelphia, Gimbels department store has similar one. In Hollywood, movie and television stars parade in floats.

Today in most American households the celebration is centered around cooking and sharing a beautiful meal with family and friends. It is first and foremost a family event and, in my opinion, the most lavish and widely celebrated American epicurean tradition, devoted to the joy of sharing food and enjoying the company of near and dear ones. It is astonishing that from a puritan beginning, Thanksgiving has turned into such a wonderful, bon-vivant, hedonistic ritual. Preparations for the feast start days ahead. Beside turkey, the shopping list might include sweet potatoes, onions, green peas or beans, fruits, and candies. Usually, there are also pies to be baked or bought.

For me Thanksgiving is a feast. Feasting is something that we all do around the world. However what I like best about this celebration is that Americans come together to express what they’re grateful for. It is the time of the year when Americans reflect on their blessings. For instance they express gratitude for family, friends, freedom – the list goes on and on! The event is non-denominational and people of all faiths partake in this celebration of expressing gratitude. This is what I like about this occasion.

I have learned during my time in the US from friends that Thanksgiving is the greatest example of what a great dinner should be: a meal that welcomes people of all religious, political or ethnic backgrounds. The table is the great equalizer, and everyone around that table gets along with one another and enjoys their time with family and friends. The turkey is the core of the meal and, for me, synonymous with the holiday.

I do not like the excessive commercialism that has come to surround the day. I was quite surprised last year when a friend of mine was focused obsessively on “Black Friday” retailer deals. She shopped the whole night instead of enjoying a peaceful time with family.

I would like to say that Thanksgiving encourages me to have a deeper conversation about morality and faith with people of diverse backgrounds. I find this an opportunity to for everyone to be more inclusive and appreciative of differences. I feel that if I acknowledge and recognize these differences (including different faith and traditions), we can understand one another at a deeper level. In fact it helps to develop more tolerance and an understanding of other points of view. It allows people of vastly different origins to get along with each other and be friendly.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!