Why Was I on Quora on Thanksgiving Night Instead of with My Family?

I am Canadian, and we celebrated our Thanksgiving back in October, not on this particular night. So, why was I on Quora instead of spending the evening with my family? There are a few reasons for this.

The Context of Canadian Thanksgiving

Let's start with the basics. While the U.S. typically celebrates Thanksgiving in late November, we in Canada thank the heavens for a bountiful harvest in October, specifically the second Monday in October. This year, that's when we held our Thanksgiving meal. It might seem a bit early, but it provides us with an extra week of autumn-colored leaves and cooler temperatures before Canada's coldest months truly set in.

A Special Dinner or Just a Regular Day?

That brings us to the heart of the matter: did we have a special dinner to celebrate? Not particularly, no. While some Canadians do hold Thanksgiving dinners, it's not a mandatory tradition like it is in the U.S. For my family, it's simply a day to reflect on our blessings and perhaps enjoy a traditional turkey dinner, supplemented with leftovers for dinner later on. This year, we prepared our Thanksgiving meal around noon and had leftovers for an evening meal. As for staying up late on a typical family holiday? It's not quite our custom.

It's also worth noting that the date of our Thanksgiving is not officially a federal holiday. This means that while many businesses close, it's not a day off for everyone. Therefore, work schedules continue as usual, and people are expected to return to their duties the next day.

The Current Day

Today, it's actually already the next day after our Thanksgiving. Fast forward to now, and I’m writing this blog post on a Wednesday, which is close to my regular workdays. Last night, all that was on our minds were post-holiday rest and the comfort of peace and quiet in our home.

Technically, I Am Doing Both

While my day was relatively quiet, both my brother and I have some other activities to wrap up. I am currently in my room on my computer, working on some projects. My younger brother is in the living room, engrossed in some TV programming. We managed to meet for a quick family Thanksgiving dinner at noon, which included some leftovers for a later dinner. The rest of our biological family, now in their thirties, is over an hour away, making it hard for them to join us directly.

We also have a live cat curled up on my bed, who started his meal for the evening while I was crafting this blog post. However, my cat's peace will be short-lived as he'll soon realize I'm still up and getting ready for his evening meal.

Daytime Activities and Black Friday

Earlier in the day, even before lunch, I took the time to send out a Happy Thanksgiving wishes on Facebook to all my contacts. I even texted a close friend who doesn't use Facebook to deliver my wishes personally. After lunch, my brother and I hung the Christmas tree. We were also discussing putting up other decorations over the next couple of days. With Black Friday deals on the horizon, we were wondering if we'd venture out for a day off, despite the expected throngs of Black Friday shoppers. Most likely, though, we'll stay home, enjoying the quiet of our home.

However, this could change if my brother decides we should go out to celebrate his birthday. We still have a few days to mull it over.