While Thanksgiving Day isn’t a holiday in Italy, many Italians do know about the holiday. Here it is called il giorno del ringraziamento, which literally translates as “the day of  thanksgiving.” As an expat, it is always hard to be away from family on important holidays. I feel this even more so when those holidays aren’t celebrated here in Italy. The first years I was here in Italy we didn’t do much to celebrate Thanksgiving. Why would I go to all the work to cook a big meal to celebrate a holiday that only had significance to me? Last year on Thanksgiving I realized exactly why I would this year – because it’s enough that the holiday is important to me! Part of being an expat is finding the balance between old traditions and new ones, and holidays are some of the most meaningful traditions to remember each year.

This year I’ll be preparing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner … or at least as close as I can make one here in Italy. We’ll be having turkey, cranberries (brought from America!), homemade stuffing,  mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. The pie is a special treat made by some our of very good friends who will be joining us for dinner. And just to throw things off a bit, Thanksgiving this year will be over the weekend. What did I tell you about old traditions and new ones?!

Wishing everyone … in Italy, America and wherever you may be celebrating  … a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!