Thanksgiving Mexico: Celebrations and Cultural Integration

Thanksgiving Mexico has been slowly creeping in and this celebration date is the perfect excuse to have a good time with the family.

Thanksgiving is a special occasion in which people organize gatherings with family and close friends to express their gratitude for freedom, food, home and other things that motivate them to continue living. This special occasion is a national holiday that is officially celebrated in countries such as the United States, Canada, St. Lucia, Brazil, Liberia and Grenada, in addition, little by little this date has begun to be celebrated unofficially in countries such as Mexico, Central America, Israel and Australia, mainly by immigrant communities of Canadian and American origin.

The origin of this celebration dates back to 1621, just when the English conquerors celebrated with the natives of the area the success of the first harvest for three consecutive days. It is important to mention that Thanksgiving Day was initially a religious and cultural tradition, however, it was officially proclaimed as a national holiday in 1863 by the then president Abraham Lincoln, after this, Thanksgiving has become one of the most important American festivities and it marks the beginning of the Christmas season.

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Here’s everything you need to know about Thanksgiving Mexico

Thanksgiving is an American holiday par excellence, however, over the years Thanksgiving Mexico has begun to be celebrated, mainly by American and Canadian immigrants, and Mexicans who have adopted the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Before this, it is important to emphasize that Mexico is one of those countries that enjoys a great cultural diversity, so its celebrations have a vibrant touch thanks to its history and mix of traditions. Although Thanksgiving is not a common tradition, much less an official one, the spirit of gratitude that people transmit on that date has been introduced little by little in Mexican society, which is why Thanksgiving Day in Mexico has been so well received by many people.

It is also important to mention that Thanksgiving Mexico is not officially celebrated on the penultimate Thursday of November as in the United States, nor on the second Monday of October as in Canada, however, the gratitude expressed by this celebration has transcended borders, so many families in Mexico embrace the energy of Thanksgiving and adapt it to the Mexican culture, therefore, Thanksgiving Mexico is a mixture of cultures that favor family togetherness.

Thanksgiving Mexico is celebrated especially in the areas where there are more foreigners, as well as the areas where there is a greater flow of tourists that bring with them an extraordinary mix of cultures, that is why in these areas you will see hotels, restaurants, family and friends groups celebrating Thanksgiving Mexico. It should be noted that due to the cultural mix Thanksgiving Mexico has gained ground and even some grocery stores have begun to offer decorations and food related to Thanksgiving Mexico.

Incorporating Mexican elements into Thanksgiving Day

Many Mexican communities, especially those in the northern region of the country, have been adapting the Thanksgiving celebration. The Mexican Thanksgiving family dinner is similar to the American one, however, traditional dishes from the Aztec country and certain cultural customs have been introduced.

However, it is important to note that even though Thanksgiving Mexico has been gradually introduced as a family custom, it is still not the most important event in November, since the Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2) is also celebrated on these dates, a national custom that is representative of the country at an international level.

Where is Thanksgiving celebrated in Mexico?

Although Thanksgiving is not present in the official Mexican calendar, little by little it has become part of the customs of many, especially in some families that reside in the north of the country, specifically in the border area of Mexico with the United States, mainly because many are those who work and study in the neighboring country.

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Thanksgiving Mexico is also popular in some tourist areas such as the Riviera Nayarit, so hotels, stores and restaurants in tourist areas usually offer promotions related to Thanksgiving Mexico.

The cities with the largest expatriate populations such as Monterrey, Queretaro, Guadalajara, Merida, San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta celebrate Thanksgiving Mexico, as this is the way to continue connecting with their roots.

Culinary Delights: Thanksgiving with a Mexican Twist

The main dishes at Thanksgiving in the United States are roast turkey stuffed with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, and despite not having a predominant place on the tables of Mexican homes, many are those who decide to add them to their Thanksgiving dinner, with a Mexican touch.

Some celebrate with the classic dishes of this celebration of American origin, while others resort to food with colorful and delicious touches that characterize the Mexican gastronomic culture, such as tamales, mole and chiles en nogada, which makes Thanksgiving Mexico a special culinary festivity.

These are some of the traditional dishes for Thanksgiving Day in Mexico

Thanksgiving Day Mexico stands out for the rich and diverse gastronomic heritage of Mexico, that’s why we will tell you what are some of the typical dishes for Thanksgiving Day Mexico:

Turkey in Mole Poblano

This is one of the special dishes to celebrate Thanksgiving Day Mexico. The people who make this dish instead of stuffing the roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, make it with mole poblano, a famous Mexican dish, which is made with a special sauce that includes chocolate, spices and chili peppers.

Tamalitos verdes con carne de puerco (green tamales with pork)

This is another popular Thanksgiving Mexican dish, with lard, broth, green tomatoes, onion, serrano chiles, garlic and diced pork. Green tamalitos with pork are a regular choice among Mexicans in the United States.

Calabaza en Tacha

Calabaza en Tacha is another popular dish in Thanksgiving Mexico, it is pumpkin cooked in a sweet syrup with cinnamon. It is a sweet and mild dish that pairs quite well with roast turkey stuffed with mole poblano.

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Chiles en Nogada

Chiles en nogada are also a popular option for Thanksgiving Mexico, these poblano peppers are stuffed with a mixture of meat and fruit. In addition, chiles en nogada have a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds.

Usually this dish displays the colors of the Mexican flag, making it an option that reflects the pride Mexicans feel for their country.

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Sweet Tamales with raisins

A common option in Thanksgiving Mexico are the sweet tamales with raisins, they are usually pink, sweetener or sugar and raisins are added to the corn dough, these tamales stand out for their soft and spicy texture, they are also usually eaten alone or with cajeta and coconut.

Thanksgiving Mexico Activities and Traditions

For some years now Thanksgiving Mexico has been celebrated by several communities, especially as a reason for charity events, cultural festivals in regions where there is a lot of tourism, expatriates and for the teachings about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving that some schools impart.

It is precisely for this reason that Thanksgiving Mexico has managed to permeate in many Mexican homes as a time to reflect and give thanks. Thanksgiving Mexico is a time to toast, pray and share good stories while having a family dinner; that is why we will tell you about the activities and traditions that take place on Thanksgiving Mexico:

Community and giving back

On Thanksgiving Mexico the spirit of giving thanks is the main focus, for that reason, Mexican families celebrating Thanksgiving Mexico often include charity in this holiday, so you will see Mexicans sharing food with those in need or providing shelter.

This custom on Thanksgiving Mexico shows the deep belief Mexicans have in community support and caring for others.

Night of the Musicians

Another traditional Thanksgiving Mexico activity is La Noche de los Músicos, where families and close friends enjoy live music, dancing and eating late into the night.

This activity is the perfect blend of American and Mexican customs and is a great way to honor the meaning of Thanksgiving while connecting with the vibrant Mexican culture.

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You already know all about Thanksgiving Mexico, a celebration of American origins that little by little has been entering into the colorful and special Mexican culture.