Thanksgiving Traditions Explained

Thanksgiving Traditions Explained

"Thanksgiving Traditions Explained" is an immersive podcast series hosted by Claire Delish that explores the rich history and cultural significance behind America's Thanksgiving celebrations. Each episode examines beloved traditions through detailed storytelling, from why turkey became the holiday centerpiece and the evolution of classic side dishes, to the origins of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with its giant balloon floats, to how football became inseparable from the holiday at every level. Claire combines culinary expertise with cultural analysis, revealing how commercial innovation, immigrant influences, and genuine community spirit shaped the rituals millions of Americans now consider timeless. This series transforms familiar traditions into fascinating stories of American identity and shared experience. Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series!

Episodes

October 1, 2025 34 secs
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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"Football and Thanksgiving Rivalries" examines how America's gridiron sport became inseparable from the holiday celebration. Claire Delish traces football's Thanksgiving connection from 1876 college rivalries through century-old high school traditions that define communities, to the Detroit Lions' deliberate 1934 marketing strategy that established NFL games as holiday fixtures. The episode explores iconic Thanksgiving performances...
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October 1, 2025 29 mins
"The Macy's Parade Phenomenon" reveals how a 1924 marketing event by New York department store employees became an iconic American tradition. Claire Delish explores the parade's origins when immigrant workers brought European festival traditions to America, featuring costumed employees, elaborate floats, and live zoo animals. The episode details the revolutionary 1927 introduction of giant helium balloons, examining the complex eng...
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"The Turkey Tradition" explores why turkey became the undisputed centerpiece of America's Thanksgiving feast. Claire Delish traces the bird's journey from wild game hunted by colonists to the broad-breasted commercial varieties that grace modern tables. The episode examines early alternatives like venison, goose, and duck that once competed for the holiday's top spot, and reveals how agricultural changes, cultural mythology, and in...
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