Thanksgiving is right around the corner, as with each year, we will gather with loving friends and family to give thanks and reflect the fruits of our lives and count each blessing bestowed upon us.  It is an important gathering to many Americans, and to me, feels very special. I was having dinner with some Spanish friends this week trying to describe the essence of the holiday, and why it is very special to many Americans.

Yes, we often have a large feast of harvest vegetables known for this season, such as pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, Brussel sprouts, chestnuts, cranberries and such; and we also enjoy that famous roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy.  And yes, it entails a homecoming of family and dear friends for 4 days. 

I was asked, what’s different about that compared to Navidad? Or any typical Sunday afternoon in Spain?

Oh, so much different to Americans.  Well, for one thing, the Sunday family gathering at the Spanish abuela’s house is not as common in America, anymore.  With families being spread out across the USA, it can hard for weekend reunions for many American families.  Surely Christmas is an important event for such gathering in America, right?    Actually, in contrast to Spain, a large number of Americans are not necessarily Christian or Catholic, so Christmas isn’t always celebrated the same as in Spain.

“Oh really?” Says my friends with an “aha” moment.  Yes, that’s right. In the USA, we have many other beliefs in addition to Christmas, but this is a story about Thanksgiving, so we shall stay focused here.  Now back to why Thanksgiving is very special.  From my perspective, it is virtually the only holiday in America that we gather with family, friends and strangers to give thanks, share and eat, the same day across the country, regardless of religion.  As a multi-cultural society, with natives, immigrants, first generation and centuries old generation families, we are united as a people honoring the land and spirit of sharing and giving on this special day of thanks in America.  That is why Thanksgiving is very special. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

¡Feliz día de acción de gracias!

感恩节快乐！

Joyeux Action de Graces!

Felice Ringraziamento!

ハッピー感謝祭！

Feliz Dia de Ação de Graças!

Χαρούμενη ημέρα των ευχαριστιών!

Selamat Hari Thanksgiving!

สุขสันต์วันขอบคุณพระเจ้า!

Feliç dia d'acció de gràcies!

행복한 추수 감사절!

Szczęśliwego Święta Dziękczynienia!

Furaha ya Shukrani!

थैंक्सगिविंग की शुभकामनाएं!

Zorion Agur!

Hauʻoli!

Šťastné Díkuvzdání!

God høsttakkefest!

Sretan dan zahvalnosti!

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This article was written by Rachanee Thevenet, Co-Founder of HT Localization.  Rachanee is an Asian-American expat living in Spain with her family.  She loves all things international including food, art, literature, culture, languages and people.  She has years of professional product marketing expertise and global expansion experience.

HT Localization, LLC. is a worldwide translation & localization agency providing a full range of professional language translation services, including social media localization, marketing translations, website translations, software localization, eLearning materials, documentation translations, etc.  With locations in the US, Spain, France, Zambia & Thailand, and coverage across all languages and most industries, HT Localization is well positioned to provide around the globe services for all translation needs.  

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