5 Myths About Thanksgiving

So, I know what you’re probably thinking: Thanksgiving ain even a Bahamian holiday. That may be true, but I like any excuse to eat and celebrate, and I bet you do too! In the Bahamas, we usually celebrate Thanksgiving the American way. In schools, we were taught the traditional Thanksgiving story of how the successful first harvest of the Pilgrims is celebrated with turkey, ham and pumpkin pie. Today, I will put on my detective hat and debunk 5 common myths about Bahamian Thanksgiving.

source: bahamas.com

1. Turkey? Stuffing? Boring!

Let’s cut to the chase: you don’t have to eat turkey to celebrate Thanksgiving. In fact, you don’t have to eat any of the traditional American Thanksgiving dishes. It just depends on how adventurous you want to get. 

Instead of turkey and ham, why not switch it up with fried fish, peas and grits, and some baked macaroni on the side? Or if you want a more traditionally inspired meal, why not spice it up by adding crawfish to your stuffing? And if you’re thirsty, have some good ol’ switcha, or sky juice, if you want some extra kick.

2. The Black Friday Jump

We Bahamians like to shop. The famous weekend trip to Miami to bring back goodies on Black Friday has become attached to the Thanksgiving festivities for some. You don’t have to fly away for an expensive shopping trip though. 

Instead, why not focus on making some new memories at home? If you’re looking to throw a backyard party to celebrate, Bahamia Rental can help! We offer a wide range of tenting options for all of your outdoor event needs, so check out our catalogue here.

3. What’s the Rush?

In some American towns and cities, Thanksgiving celebrations are accompanied by parades. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is the most famously televised one. 

By Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner, so what’s a better way to put a Bahamian spin on Thanksgiving than with a neighborhood Junkanoo parade? You could also have a junkanoo-themed costume party on Thanksgiving weekend, complete with music and appropriate decor.

source: bahamashclondon.net

4. Kicking Football Aside

If you know one thing about American Thanksgiving, it’s that football is king. It is as almost as essential as the famed stuffed turkey. Instead of watching football, you could put a different spin on it by having a Bahamian movie night with the family. 

You could have a marathon session with films shot exclusively in the Bahamas. Casino Royale anyone? Wolf of Wall Street? Here’s a list if you need some inspiration. And what movie night would be complete without refreshments? We can help!

source: midwesthome.com

5. Winning the Game of Life

After all of the cooking and eating is done, you should relax. You might not be able to move anyway. In America, a common way to spend this after-dinner time is with card games like Life, Monopoly, Pictionary and Clue.

 Instead of getting mad over Aunt Jenny cheating at monopoly, why not celebrate Thanksgiving with the most Bahamian game of them all? Dominoes! Ain nothing like a game of Double Six, and the slapping of domino tiles on kitchen counters is a sound any Bahamian is sure to know.

What other Bahamian twists are you planning to incorporate this Thanksgiving?