Thanksgiving in Oman
Are you looking for exclusive gift ideas for Thanksgiving this Holiday Season?
When I first met my husband in the Sultunate of Oman there were no Thanksgiving dinner party or celebrations. Come to think of it we had more fun on Halloween’s Day in Oman than Thanksgiving.
Understandable as most expats in the Sultanate were either British or Australian and a handful of Americans who either flew back to the USA or flew to some exotic place like Seychelles on Thanksgiving.
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving 2020 occurs on Thursday, November 26.
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.
It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
Thanksgiving Traditions
In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends.
Today, however, nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving, according to the National Turkey Federation.
Other traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Volunteering is a common Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities often hold food drives and host free dinners for the less fortunate.
Thanksgiving in Saudi Arabia
It was only when we moved to Saudia Arabia where my husband worked for Raytheon that Thanksgiving took a real meaning. See, we lived on an American compound which is just like an American city with all its trapping.
So, Thanksgiving celebration took a new meaning.
So, one of the perks of working for Raytheon apart from a good pay-check was that they provided Turkey to all its employees. Great!
So, now I had to learn how to make this bird. My husband, proud of my cooking, went and invited a bunch of his bachelor friends too. What was I supposed to do?
I checked Martha Stewart Turkey 101 for exclusive gift ideas this Thanksgiving holiday season and rest is history. The side dishes were easy. Mashed potatoes and beans. I kept it simple. It came out perfect (or so I thought), it was ok now I realize. But everybody loved it and it was all gone.
Nobody told me that it wasn’t supposed to be dry and bones breaking off!
Next year I tried again and this time it was nice & juicy and really delicious. I had added apple pie to the Thanksgiving menu.
I thought I was the best Turkey maker on the planet.
Thanksgiving in Seattle
Then we came to the USA for good to Seattle to be more precise. And my father in law Don made Turkey. O boy oh boy! Was it delicious. The most tender, juicy turkey you can ever eat. He makes it the way his German/American parents made it. He has this metal turkey roast pan and in goes the turkey with some broth and he bastes it.
It takes him 5 hours but it’s worth the wait.
So, a little intimidated I decided to give it a try last year.
We got the Butterball fresh Turkey 3 days before Thanksgiving. I left it in the fridge in a pan so as to thaw it. On Thanksgiving Day I got it out, washed it (I shouldn’t have) removed the giblets.
Then I added herbs like rosemary to the butter and covered the under skin of the turkey with it. I chopped 1onion, 1carrot 2 celery and put them inside too. I did add beef broth in the pan to baste the bird every hour.
Now I follow Betty Crocker’s guide for the sides. Like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and of course the apple pie (I still follow Martha Stewart’s recipe for this classic).
It was great! My mother in law loved it and my husband is proud of my cooking.
Exclusive Gift Ideas For Thanksgiving This Holiday Season
What I have learnt from my Thanksgiving meals is that it’s all about getting together with friends & family. Do say one of these Blessings if you can. It helps if the Turkey is well done and the sides are delicious.
Exclusive Gift Ideas For Thanksgiving This Holiday Season Click To TweetBut people are usually having such a great time being together that what is served just adds to the good times. The main ingredient is ‘love’ that makes Thanksgiving meals or any meal special. So, don’t be shy, go ahead and invite a bunch of friends and have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year in spite of the China virus!
Conclusion
What about you? Do you have any stories that you would like to share?
I have compiled a few exclusive gift items that will be appreciated at any Thanksgiving dinner. Do Check these gifts and do make your recommendations too.
Thank you for stopping by!
Exclusive Thanksgiving Merchandise For Men & Women
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