How is Thanksgiving like in US?

Happened to see Ian's blog with his belated Thanksgiving wishes to all. It just inspired me to share my first and only Thanksgiving experience in the States.

But first of all, I have to agree with Ian that we should treat each day as special as they were and be thankful. We don't need specify date for Mother's Day, Father's day or Valentine Day or even Thanksgiving so long that we can take and treat each day unique as they were. We should show love and concern to our parents, our love one and give thanks for each passing day, not only on specify day.

Ok, just to share an insight on what Thanksgiving means to the American. Thanksgiving is one of the BIG three official holidays in the States. First is 1st Jan - New Year Day, follow by 4th July - Independence Day and the last one being Thanksgiving which falls on the 4th Thursday in the month of Nov.

Usually, Americans or at least the people in the state that I was staying in, don't celebrate holidays except the Big three holidays. It is usually then they will take block leave or at least take the whole week off during these 3 holidays.

The culture in the State, the people are very family oriented but even so, by an early age when the children are in their teens, ready for college, the parents wish that the teenages will be independent and go out and live on their own. People will just get busy with their own affair and so on. So this is the part where Thanksgiving is season of getting together. People will put things aside and get together as a family on Thanksgiving to have dinner. It is really a nice and cozy holiday spreading the spirit of getting together, sharing, caring and love. :)