Thanksgiving Day, as celebrated in North America, is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by these nations and their citizens. However, to many people, its meaning is lost. It has become simply another day for huge meals, dinner parties, get-togethers or reunions. What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
Turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and family gatherings—these are all commonly associated with most Americans' and Canadians' yearly celebration of giving thanks—Thanksgiving Day!
In the United States, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is the second Monday in October. On this holiday, a Thanksgiving meal is prepared with all the trimmings; families gather together and talk, while others watch a game or a parade filled with pilgrims, Indians and other colonial figures. Some families may even have their own yearly Thanksgiving traditions.
What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? Do you picture a time of thankfulness towards God—or is it merely one of eating, partying or watching football?
Sadly, the latter is what Thanksgiving has become to most. They have forgotten why the day was established. Its meaning has slowly deteriorated, and is now almost completely lost under a cloud of media hype, sales pitches, marketing tactics and blitz commercialism.
While many are familiar with the traditional representation of the original Thanksgiving, it is helpful to examine the purpose for which it was first celebrated. By doing this, the day's meaning will be firmly established.
The Thanksgiving legacy has been alive for hundreds of years. The customs we see in our homes today remind us of ancient celebrations of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the endeavors of native Americans. It consists of stories of those who believe that gratitude for blessings is a virtue all must possess.
感恩节的已经有好几百年的历史了。现在我们看到的关于它的习俗活动使我们想起了过去人们的丰收、感谢和平以及美国印地安人的努力。这些都是由那些信仰感恩和赐福的人的故事构成。
Custom of Praying(祈祷的习俗)
For centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes. People offer various meal time prayers during the day. It is a time, when mankind thanks God for all his blessings and grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends and relatives for all the good deeds.
几个世纪以来,“感恩节”与在教堂和家里祈祷者有关。人们提供各式各样的用餐，祷告一下白天的情况。这是一个人类感谢上帝带来所有祝福的时候，同时也是一个感激你的朋友和亲人及所有的好事的时候。
Custom of Family Dinner(家宴习俗)
The traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day.
家庭盛宴是感恩节期间的一个重要习俗。全家人围坐在饭桌边一起祈祷，愿上帝施与永不停息的恩惠。 这也让身处异地的亲友欢聚一堂，同庆美好时光。
Though historians don’t have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first thanksgiving dinner, the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.
传统的填制火鸡让每个餐桌生色不少，南瓜派、酸果沙司、玉米更是那天必不可少的菜肴。虽然历史学家没有证据证明在第一个感恩节时人们就吃火鸡，但没有火鸡的感恩节是不完美的。
The traditional thanksgiving parade probably started with president lincoln proclaiming it an official day. the full- dress parade is a way to display the country’s military strength and discipline. the main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. in the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities.
感恩节那天进行的巡游仪式大概始于林肯总统时期，而且这天被宣布为法定节日。隆重的巡游仪式是显示国家军事力量和严明纪律的一个方式，但这样的巡游主要目的是振奋国人，为大众提供一个积极健康的娱乐活动。现代的巡游活动还加入音乐节目，众多名人也参与其中。
football games??watching nfl football during thanksgiving is a popular tradition. the traditional game between the detroit lions and the green bay packers continues. one of the most memorable games having been played on this day.
感恩节观看美国国家足球联盟的橄榄球比赛也是一个习俗。底特律雄狮和绿湾包装工队之间的传统比赛至今仍然保留着。其中最值得纪念的比赛之一就在感恩节这天举行
01、Though we are not with you but we miss you all on this Thanksgiving Day.
虽然感恩节你不能和我们在一起，但是我们会想念你的。
02、Love you all this Thanksgiving Day.
感恩节里更加爱你。
03、Thanksgiving wishes for you and your family.
给你们全家感恩节的祝福。
04、May your life be blessed with joy, love and miracles
希望你的生活里充满了欢乐、关爱和奇迹。
05、Thanksgiving just won't be the same without you
没有你感恩节就不会一样了
06、God bless you and your family at Thanksgiving and always!
上帝会保佑你和你的家人
07、I wish you could be here on Thanksgiving.
但愿你能来陪我过感恩节
08、A card can say more than a thousand words. Happy Thanks giving day!
千言万语敌不过卡片的祝福
09、It will be sad not to see you during the holiday when families get together.
没有你的节日我会感到难过
10、Have a FULL Thanksgiving day!
感恩节快乐!好好吃一顿吧
11、Thanksgiving is a great time to tell you that we love you kids.
感恩节要说我们都爱你们
12、Joy and fun, wish fulfillment and blessing, come to your home this Thanksgiving!
感恩节里尽情享受快乐吧
13、I wouldn't want to spend Thanks-giving with anyone else.
我只愿和你共度感恩节
14、Have a MID-FULL Thanksgiving!
感恩节请不要暴饮暴食
15、What a wonderful time to be together.
在一起的时光多么快乐
Jerry：Happy Thanksgiving Day!
感恩节快乐
Lucy：Do you have any plans?
今天你有什么计划吗?
Jerry：Not really, all my friends are going home. It’s like Chinese Spring Festival. What are you going to do?
没有，我所有的朋友都回家，就像中国的春节一样，你打算干什么?
Lucy：If you’re interested, you can come with me and my friends to Ada’s parents’ place. Ada’s whole family will be there。
如果你感兴趣的话，你可以和我还有我的朋友其一去阿达的父母家过感恩节，阿达全家都会一起过。
Jerry：That’s very kind. Thanks. I’d love to come。
真的太好了，我很愿意
Lucy： That’s wonderful. I’m glad you’re coming. We get to see how other families spend their Thanksgiving。
那行，我很高兴你回来，我们可以看看别人家都是怎么过感恩节的
Jerry：Could you tell me something about it?
你能和我说说感恩节吗?
Lucy：It’s usually a big family get-together. We always have lots of delicious food, like turkey and stuffing, but sometimes we have ham instead. We have yams, corn, carrots and fruit pies or pumpkin pies。
感恩节通常都是家庭的大聚会。我们会做很多好吃的比如火鸡，不过，我们有时候也吃火腿来代替火鸡。我们还吃洋芋、玉米、胡萝卜和水果派或南瓜派。
Jerry： That sounds like a big feast, like what we have at Spring Festival. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it。
听起来真像个盛大的宴会，就像我们的春节一样。想着这些我都饿了。
Lucy：Me too. I can’t wait to see everyone. It should be lots of fun。
我也是，我都等不及想见大家了。会很有意思的。
感恩节常用的英语口语和感恩用语：
阿门。Amen。
感恩节你有什么计划吗?
Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving Day?
感恩节快乐!Happy Thanksgiving Day!
我们祈求健康和快乐。We pray for health and happiness。
我为能在世上拥有最好的妻子和孩子而不胜感激。
I’m thankful for having the best wife and children in the world。
希望你的感恩节过得丰富充足并希望你的来年充满了上帝的恩赐。
May your Thanksgiving be bountiful and the coming year be full of many blessings。
我打算叫我的朋友们过来和我们一起享受节日的大餐。
I’m going to invite my friends over to enjoy the feast with us。
Thanksgiving Day
感恩节
Happy Thanksgiving!
感恩节快乐！
Let's give thanks.
让我们说些感谢的话。
traditional holiday feast
传统的节日大餐
magnificent Thanksgiving dinner
丰盛的感恩节大餐
propose a toast
敬酒
roast turkey
烤火鸡
pumpkin pie
南瓜派
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
梅西感恩节大游行
Black Friday
黑色星期五
注释和例句：
y Thanksgiving, everyone!
大家感恩节快乐！
e it’s Thanksgiving Day, let’s join hands and give thanks before the traditional holiday feast.
既然是感恩节，在享受节日大餐之前，让我们手拉着手说些感谢的话吧。
’ve just finished this magnificent Thanksgiving dinner and I have a mouthful of pumpkin pie.
我们刚结束这顿丰盛的感恩节大餐，我一嘴都是南瓜派。
yone, let’s propose a toast before enjoy the delicious turkey.
享用美味的火鸡前让我们一起干一杯。
’s Thanksgiving Day Parade(梅西感恩节大游行)始于1927年，由美国著名的梅西百货公司创立。之一年一度的大游行热闹非凡，可以见到各种彩车及著名的卡通形象巨型气球等。例：
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade usually starts at 9 o’clock in the morning and lasts for three hours.
梅西的感恩节大游行通常在早晨9点钟开始，会持续3个小时。
6.从感恩节第二天（星期五）到圣诞节这一个月是美国各商家的传统打折促销旺季，据说周五一大早就会有人摸黑在商场前排队，等待开门进去抢购。例：
Are you ready for the Black Friday shopping frenzy?
你们准备好应对黑色星期五的购物狂潮了吗？
