Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in tradition, from centuries ago to present day. History tells us that the original Thanksgiving took place in 1621, when settlers from England met with Indians over food to celebrate a successful harvest. But celebrating the harvest was not new or unique; ancient civilizations had annual festivals at this time of year as well. In modern times, we have some distinct traditions when it comes to our own “harvest festival”, Thanksgiving.

In America, the holiday is marked by three classic things – football, parades and food! In some of the oldest known celebrations of the harvest, games and sports were an important element, so our obsession with the big game has deep roots. The legacy of holiday parades is a lot more recent; in the early 1900’s large retailers like Macy’s saw Thanksgiving as the gateway to the holiday shopping season, so they sponsored extravagant parades with their names on them.

Of course the best thing about Thanksgiving is the meal shared with family and friends to express gratitude, which does reflect the legacy of the Pilgrims. While many associate a turkey with all the trimmings with Thanksgiving, other family traditions includes vastly different feasts – from ham, to pasta, to seafood. Whatever food is on the table, however, seasonal flowers and centerpieces are a standard.

The vibrant fall colors of seasonal flowers make for great holiday centerpieces or beautiful hostess gifts. Whatever the autumn occasion, adding the yellow, orange and red ambiance of roses, lilies, asters and sunflowers will warm up any space and bring the spirit of the season to your table.

This year, start at Nanz and Kraft when planning your Thanksgiving holiday meals and parties. From rustic cornucopias to modern floral arrangements, we have the bouquets and centerpieces to fit any holiday tradition!