Thanksgiving 2023 in Canada is a celebration where friends and family gather to enjoy delicious food and give thanks. If you’re hosting this year’s feast, here are a few tips to ensure it goes ahead without a hitch.
How is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?
Get ready for a day of fabulous food, laughter and memory-making! Thanksgiving 2023 in Canada takes place on Monday 9 October. Since 1957, it has been an official statutory holiday celebrated on the second Monday of October in all provinces and territories, except in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
On this occasion, Canadians enjoy a special meal with loved ones and express gratitude for their blessings and a bountiful harvest. Traditionally, roast turkey is prepared with seasonal produce, including ears of corn, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. However, each province (and family) might put its own twist on the customary meal.
If you’re unable to spend Thanksgiving with your family, or you’re just in the mood to do things differently this year, Friendsgiving is another great way to celebrate this annual holiday.
What is Friendsgiving?
Simply put, Friendsgiving is the same celebration with friends instead of family. It can happen on any day, such as the weekend before or after traditional Thanksgiving. It’s also usually a potluck meal—with each guest bringing a plate of food to minimize stress for the host.
There are various reasons to host a Friendsgiving party! For example:
You may be living far from home
You want an excuse to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while
You feel closer to your friends than your family
It’s a great excuse to have more than one Thanksgiving event
You may not have family to celebrate with
The most important aspect of the day is simply being grateful for each other and spending quality time together. How you do that is up to you!
How to host an unforgettable Thanksgiving 2023 in Canada
Whether it’s a Friendsgiving or a family gathering, here are a few ways to make this national holiday a memorable occasion:
1. Pick a date and time
Remember, you don’t have to celebrate on the Monday. Choose a time over the three-day weekend that will best suit you and then let your intended guests know. Give them plenty of warning, too, especially if you’re inviting friends who may have their own family get-togethers planned.
2. Plan your menu
Once you know how many people to cater for, it’s time to decide what kind of food you’ll be serving. Roast turkey, mashed potato, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, green beans and corn are all traditional choices. Alternatively, you could try something new and create different platters of Thanksgiving-inspired finger foods.
Another option is to ask each guest to bring an item to share—just make sure you coordinate so you don’t end up with four bowls of Brussels sprouts and no sweet potatoes! If you prefer to handle the main courses, ask a few friends to bring different desserts. Pumpkin, pecan or apple pie are firm favourites, but butter tarts or ice cream will be delightful, too!
3. Find a festive cocktail or mocktail to serve
Nothing sets the mood for a cheerful occasion quite like a holiday-inspired welcome drink. Do some research online and find a beverage that features seasonal colours or flavours, then ensure you have an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version to cater for all your guests.
Don’t forget to place a jug or two of water on your table to keep your guests hydrated. Add mint leaves and lemon slices for colour and flavour.
4. Decide on your décor
While you certainly don’t have to blow your budget on Thanksgiving decorations, adorning your table in festive colours will take your shindig to the next level.
Decide whether you’d like to stick with the traditional theme of fall reds and oranges, or if you’ll be taking a modern, simplified approach. A few black candlesticks will set the tone for an elegant affair, or you could keep things casual with a few gourds and pumpkins in your chosen colour scheme. For a centrepiece, opt for a garland, a floral bouquet or some greenery from the garden.
Create a cozy atmosphere with a few fall-scented candles and dress your mantelpiece in fairy lights and festive garlands. Finally, set each place with a rattan placemat and gingham napkin to complement the fall colours.
5. Create a party playlist
Great music puts everyone in a good mood, so create a special Thanksgiving 2023 Canada playlist in the days leading up to your event. Why don’t you get some inspiration from our EspaceProprio playlists on Spotify? There are 12 to choose from (and over 480 songs), so you’ll never run out of music.
6. Clean the house
Starting the day before your Thanksgiving event, clean the house so it looks and smells good. Pay close attention to the entrance, washroom, living room and dining area as these are the rooms where guests will be. Replace the hand towel in the toilet with a fresh one and ensure there’s enough hand soap and lotion.
7. Plan some entertainment
Think of a few ways to keep your guests entertained—you don’t want them falling asleep after they’ve gobbled up your wonderful meal! There are so many Thanksgiving-inspired ideas to keep adults and children engaged, so do some research and pick a few that will work. Finally, remember to relax, enjoy the day, and remember what it’s all about—gratitude and quality time with loved ones.
Don’t hesitate to tag @espaceproprio on Instagram to share the results of your celebration with us.
