Thanksgiving Tips 2018: Top 5 Ways To Host Turkey Day Abroad

If you are going to be overseas this Thanksgiving, you might be tempted to forget about the whole day altogether. Talking about an All-American holiday in a place outside of the United States might come off as a tad presumptuous, after all! That said, some might want to honor their past by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with your new friends or family. If that’s what you want to do, then here are some tips for celebrating in another country!

You’ll have to dig to get certain foods!

Depending on where you are, certain foods, like potatoes, sweet or otherwise, might be a rarity in your local markets. If you don’t want to make substitutions or forget the whole thing altogether, then you should always make sure to ask about specific foods when you go shopping. They might just have it in the back!

Take different measurements into consideration!

We’re not just talking about the metric system here, though it is a good thing to remember! Even appliances can normally be sold smaller or larger in one country compared to another. This could even mean the time it takes to cook and the sequences it entails could be different from what you expect.

Don’t break away too far from tradition!

“Treat it as a self-indulgent and elaborate way to soothe your homesickness,” says Sarah Khan, a writer originally from Massachusetts who hosted Thanksgiving dinners while living in Cape Town, South Africa, according to Conde Nast Traveler. Added to that, certain foods, like mashed potatoes, might be simple to some, but exotic to others. Some people might be amazed by indulging in “American” dishes. That’s said, don’t forget to acknowledge cultural differences that might pop up and offer food that is considered repulsive in another country.

Try to keep in touch back home!

If you have relatives or friends who do celebrate Thanksgiving back home, then you should try to keep in contact. With the magic of the internet, you can even appear in a live video at the table. At the very least, you can spread pictures and messages.

Always be thankful for what you have!

The most important part about Thanksgiving is having “thanks.” Well, it sounds like it should be true. If you have a Thanksgiving dinner, surrounded by friends and new family, you have a lot to be thankful for. Besides, if you managed to get out of a small town and move to London or Paris, you really do have a lot of to be thankful for!