Having lived in Kentucky as a Canadian for the past 38 years, I’ve come to realize there are a lot of things Americans don’t know about the Great White North. Ask the average person down here what they know about Canada, and you’ll hear things like “Do y’all really have moose as pets?” or “Isn’t Canada just one big hockey rink?” And if you’re lucky, they might even ask you to say “eh?” as if it’s part of some secret Canadian code. (Spoiler: It’s not.)
But nothing brings out the cultural differences between Canadians and Americans quite like Thanksgiving. Born in Canada then living in the United States since I was 16, I’ve experienced two very different versions of this holiday, and let me tell you, it’s an eye-opener.
The Timing: “Wait, Y’all Do Thanksgiving in October?”One of the first questions I get is, “What do you mean you already celebrated Thanksgiving?” That’s right, friends! In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October. It’s around the same time as Indigenous People’s Day, or Columbus Day, in the U.S., so there’s always that awkward moment where I have to explain that, no, we care about Columbus, and yes, we already ate all the turkey.
Meanwhile, here in the U.S., Thanksgiving isn’t until the fourth Thursday in November, right before Black Friday. And honestly, that makes sense. Because nothing says “I’m thankful” quite like elbowing someone for a $200 flat-screen TV at 3 a.m.
But in Canada? By the time November rolls around, most of Canada has seen its first snow of the year, and all that’s left to do is wait for Christmas. In Kentucky, meanwhile, I’m still wearing a light jacket and shorts in November, trying to figure out why y’all want to wait so long to eat the turkey.
The Food: “Wait, Marshmallows on Potatoes?) When I first moved here, I thought the turkey would be the same on both sides of the border, and for the most part, it is. But Americans take the concept of side dishes to a whole new level. In Canada, our sides are pretty simple—mashed potatoes, stuffing, maybe some roasted veggies if we’re feeling fancy.
Then I sat down for my first American Thanksgiving in Kentucky and saw sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows. I had to do a double-take. Is this dessert? A side dish? Are y’all okay? In Canada, we like to keep our marshmallows where they belong—on s’mores. But hey, I’ve learned to embrace the chaos that is the sweet potato-marshmallow mashup. (Still not convinced and still not eating it.)
Also, why do so many people eat cranberry sauce from a can? Why is that so popular here? In Canada, we like it fresh, made with actual berries, not some jelly log that wiggles when it hits the plate. But I guess when you’re busy with football and Black Friday planning, you’ve got to cut some corners.
The History: “Pilgrims? Never Heard of Them.”
Thanksgiving in the U.S. is deeply tied to the story of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. It’s all about those early settlers coming together with Indigenous peoples to share a meal. In Canada, the origins of Thanksgiving are a bit less dramatic. Ours started as a harvest festival, celebrating the end of the growing season and giving thanks for a successful crop.
Most Americans I’ve met have no idea there’s a Thanksgiving in Canada, let alone that it has nothing to do with Pilgrims. When I explain that it’s more of a low-key, harvest celebration, I usually get a blank stare followed by, “Oh, that’s cute.” Yes, because having a holiday based on gratitude and seasonal bounty is so quaint.
Besides, how many Americans can even locate Plymouth Rock on a map? (Hint: It’s not in Kentucky, and no, it’s not in Canada either. And I was jist there and not really too impressed.)
Football vs. Football: Wait, You Have Football in Canada? Ah, sportsball. In this instance of sportsball, we’re talking football. It’s the centerpiece of American Thanksgiving, where families gather around the TV to watch NFL games. But here’s the thing: Canada has football on Thanksgiving too, but it’s our football. You know, the one with a bigger field, three downs, and the beloved CFL (Canadian Football League). Yes, that’s right, we have football too! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain to my American friends that no, we don’t talk about Tom Brady all the time in Canada. It’s all about the Grey Cup, folks.
When I try to explain the differences between the two games, I usually get a glazed-over look, followed by, “So it’s like soccer, right?” Oh bless your heart. No, my friends, Canadian football is not soccer. But at least now you know it exists, right?
The Aftermath: “Black Friday? No Thanks” Americans take Black Friday very seriously. In Kentucky, I’ve seen people line up for hours, fueled by Thanksgiving leftovers, ready to dive into the frenzy. In Canada, we didn’t really have an equivalent to Black Friday—well, we didn’t, until a few years ago when Canadian stores tried to adopt the concept. But it’s not the same. Canadians just aren’t as, um, aggressive when it comes to shopping.
While y’all are fighting for discounted electronics, Canadians are more likely to be at home, quietly digesting our food and wondering if we can sneak in an early viewing of Elf. For several years, I’ve noticed that in the USA, Gone With the Wind seems to be a popular viewing option. Ah, yes. Thanksgiving isn’t complete without Gone With the Wind-because what better way to celebrate gratitude than with a sweeping epic of historical turmoil and genteel Southern melodrama. Just pass the popcorn…and the eye rolls, please.
Canada does have Boxing Day sales in December, but it’s nowhere near the contact sport that is Black Friday in the U.S. Maybe it’s because we’re too polite to shove someone out of the way for a deal.
Lessons from a Canadian in Kentucky Living in Kentucky has taught me a lot about American Thanksgiving. It’s bigger, it’s bolder, and there’s a lot more sugar involved. But one thing remains the same on both sides of the border: it’s all about family, gratitude, and coming together over a meal (even if that meal includes some questionable side dishes).
So, to all my American friends who think Canada is just a frozen wilderness where we ride polar bears to work—let me set the record straight. We have a Thanksgiving too, and it’s just as meaningful. We just like to do it a little earlier and with less… marshmallow. And to all my friends in Canada, Happy Thanksgiving! 🇨🇦
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