As the holiday season is now in full swing and we plan gatherings with loved ones, most of us will follow some type of Thanksgiving tradition or special rituals we connect with the big day. It might be a particular blessing over dinner, or asking each person to say what they are most thankful for—perhaps it’s a special turkey platter or a cherished generations-old recipe that always makes an appearance on the table. Whatever the traditions may be, they often serve to make us feel part of something bigger and offer a sense of belonging.
In celebration this year, the Sticky Toffee team would like to share a few of the traditions that make Thanksgiving memorable and unique for each of us.
Kim Criner, Director of Product Development, remembers, “One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions dates back to when I was just a little girl. My great grandmother, grandmother and I all share the same birthday, which sometimes falls on Thanksgiving Day. We were all born on November 23rd—my great grandmother in 1889, my grandmother in 1925—and I was born many, many years later.
“On my sixth or seventh birthday my grandmother gave me a Thanksgiving turkey. No, this isn’t a turkey you carve up and eat. This is a quirky turkey vase, and I have never seen another like it. My great grandmother had given the turkey to my grandmother when she was young. The year my grandmother gave him to me, he was filled with six or seven one-dollar bills folded to look like flowers. In the following years, she would have him filled with beautiful flowers or money for my birthday, and he would have his special spot at our Thanksgiving dinner. To anyone without the sentimental attachment, he is an ugly thing really, but my love for him continues to grow as I grow older.
“He spent a number of years safely packed away while we moved several times. This year he is back in all his ugly glory, filled with a beautiful Thanksgiving bouquet. I hope to someday pass him on to family that will love him as much my grandmothers and I have over the years.”
James Brandenburg, President of US Operations, shares his thoughts, “Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday of the year. Over my 20 years with the company, the autumn season has developed a familiar cadence: the kids start back to school, we begin development work for the following year's fall and winter launch items, and we race through September and October doing design work and making samples as fast as we can. By early November we are all a little worn down. Thanksgiving comes at the perfect time to slow our pace for a few days and think about all the ways we have been blessed over the past year.
“It wouldn't be Thanksgiving for me if we didn't take that time to reflect with friends and family. Putting the focus on preparing our crowd-sourced family meal gives me a welcome reset—and it gives me a chance to inspect the foundation of my life to make sure all is well where it matters most.”
Nicole Gruber, Brand Manager, reflects, “Every year on Thanksgiving, for as long as I can remember, my mom, sisters and I would sort through the newspaper and magazines to look for the best Black Friday bargains. The catalogs would be scattered all over our living room floor and we’d circle deals, clip coupons, and make lists of everything we wanted.
“You may have even found us waiting in lines at midnight when the stores opened, depending on the hot item we were looking to score! Our shopping habits have evolved with the times, and we are no longer searching through newspapers and magazines on the floor. Now, after dinner, we pull out our phones, iPads and laptops and begin our exploration! Preparing for our conquest of the best sales is always something I cherish doing every year with my mom and sisters on Thanksgiving.”
However YOU celebrate Thanksgiving, we sincerely hope your holiday is filled with warmth, amazing food and happy traditions.