Have A Pilgrim And Indian Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time; time for family, food and remembering all the blessings of the past year. It is also a reminder of a significant time in America's history. It is a testament to the determination to survive by the early colonists. What better way to learn about them than to recreate the first Thanksgiving meal?
Lessons have been taught over the years about the Pilgrims and Indians of the Wampanoag tribe and how they shared their food to celebrate a good harvest. However, a lot of what we think to be part of Thanksgiving was actually added later.
The first Thanksgiving meal at Plymouth actually lasted three days, so you may not want to do that. However, serving some of the foods they had will be a change from the modern tradition of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. The first Thanksgiving meal would have mostly consisted of various meats, including wild fowl, fish, and venison. They may have even had lobster, clams and eel. They probably had dried fruits, nuts and some corn. They made fried bread from corn, but probably didn't have any pies or cakes. Instead of pumpkin pie, they boiled pumpkins. They also enjoyed vegetables like peas, beans, onions, lettuce, radishes, and carrots.
The kids will probably enjoy the table manners, as it was quite common to use their fingers to eat. They did use spoons, but instead of forks, the actually used their napkins to eat with, not just to wipe their mouths. However, the children won't like the fact that servants and children did most of the serving.
Dressing in costumes can add to the festivities. Simple clothing would be called for. Dark pants and vests with white shirts for the men and hats. Simple, long dresses and bonnets for the women. If some want to dress as the Indians, tan or brown pants and shirts, to simulate the leather they probably wore would work. The kids would probably enjoy dressing as the Indians; wearing headdresses they could make themselves.
Another thing you can do to add to the festivities is to get copies of the journals kept by the Pilgrims and read segments from them. It will give you a real feel for the time, as well as sharing a bit of history with the family. If you begin reading from them a few days before Thanksgiving, it will really help set the mood before the meal.
Seeing how difficult the Pilgrims really had it will give you a true sense of why they were so thankful to even be alive. It will also help give you a sense of how blessed we are today.
More Articles
Seven Tips For Getting Your Husband To Help With Housework
Stress Management Is Crucial For Moms
Do Your Part: Donate To A Children’s Charity
Family Vacation Ideas For The Summer
Back To School Kids: Five Show And Tell Favorites
Should Your Preteen Have A Cell Phone?
Products And Downloads
Latest Updates From BBC News
Staff 'too timid' on child abuse
Professionals should not shy away from removing children from abusive parents and putting them in care, a group of experts says.
Closer watch on children's care
Children's services in England are to be more closely monitored following a "damning" report into the Baby P case.
Claimants 'should be work ready'
Lone parents of children aged one to seven should be preparing to re-enter work, says a review.
Parents warned over measles jab
Parents in Staffordshire are advised to make sure their children are immunised against measles.
Care for children is 'inadequate'
Social care services for children in Northamptonshire is branded "inadequate" after an inspection.
Council 'sorry' for murder delay
Brighton council apologises after social workers failed to act on concerns raised by a young girl whose mother had been murdered.
Builders help rescue fire family
Builders rescue a mother and her two children trapped in a house fire in Nottinghamshire.
Ambulance staff checks 'lacking'
A BBC investigation into a private ambulance operator finds shortcomings in staff vetting and training.
Left-handers' lower test scores
Left-handed pupils do less well in tests than their right-handed peers, a study from Bristol University suggests.
Nurseries closed without notice
Hundreds of parents are left without childcare after two south-west London nurseries closed without notice.
More Articles And Free Videos
Kids Goals And Resolutions: Goal Ideas For School-Age Kids
... Goals That Benefit Others It's great when kids set goals to help others. Examples include raising money for charity or donating toys to children in need. This type of goal is most beneficial when your child thinks of it herself. While it doesn't hurt to discuss the importance of helping others, it is ...
Back To School Teens: Setting Rules Before The School Year Begins
... school studies. Curfew: A specific curfew should be set on school nights and weekends, especially if there are tests involved or they haven t caught up with homework assignments, reports, or papers. If the teen does go out with friends, the parent should be told where he or she is going, and who will ...
Tips For Setting Up The Menorah
... home and wish to set up their Menorahs in a window? The answer is that as long as the Menorahs are spaced apart, that is, anyone passing by can see the lit candles, it is perfectly acceptable to place Menorahs in a window. The Menorah is symbolic of the miracle of the oil. When Maccabee became victorious ...
Back To School Preschoolers: Should I Enroll My Child In Preschool?
... age two to four, and while it seems very young, it is nonetheless an important starting point in your child s educational experience. Experts tell us that children who can speak in short sentences are usually ready for preschool. Moreover, they tell us that if your child can be understood by others, they ...
Should Your Teen Still Get An Allowance?
... needs more than wants. While some teens apply for summer jobs to help them with expenses, others may not. Does this mean the family bank is still open to them? Hopefully, not. If your teen wants to buy the latest gadget, the best way to handle it is to lend the money, and explain the terms of the loan. ...