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Opinion
- Asep Haryono | My Opinion About Thanksgiving: The Spirit of Gratitude and Global Traditions - Powered by Blogger
Thanksgiving isn’t commonly celebrated in Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, because the holiday is deeply rooted in North American history and culture. It originated from early European settlers in the United States and Canada who held harvest feasts to give thanks. Since these events are not part of Southeast Asia’s historical or cultural background, the tradition didn’t develop here.
Thanksgiving is celebrated abroad on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, it falls on November 27, 2025. It’s a special day to give thanks, share meals, and enjoy time with family and friends
In countries like Indonesia, my country for sure, people have their own cultural celebrations related to gratitude and harvest such as Syukuran, Selamatan, or local harvest festivals so Thanksgiving doesn’t naturally fit into the local cultural calendar.
However, the influence of Western media and global culture means some people in Southeast Asia now enjoy Thanksgiving-themed content, special dinners, or sales promotions, even if the holiday itself isn’t officially celebrated.
For the US people or many European countries, you probably know that Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. As far as I concern, Families gather, delicious food fills the table, and people take time to reflect on what they are grateful for. But in Southeast Asia, including my home country Indonesia, Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated.
So, why is that, and what can we learn from it?
Even though Thanksgiving is not part of our local tradition, its ideas are universal. The core message of this holiday gratitude, family, sharing, and togetherness resonates with everyone. Let’s explore what makes Thanksgiving so special, how it is celebrated in other countries, and how we can take inspiration from it in our own lives.
Thanksgiving has its roots in North America. The story goes back to the early 1600s when European settlers, known as the Pilgrims, arrived in what is now the United States. Life was hard in the new land. The settlers struggled with harsh weather, unfamiliar crops, and the challenges of building a community from scratch.
After their first successful harvest, they held a feast to give thanks for the food, safety, and help from the local Native Americans. This event is often considered the first Thanksgiving. Over time, Thanksgiving became an annual celebration, eventually becoming a national holiday in the United States in 1863, during President Abraham Lincoln’s time.
Although the history is very American, the lesson is universal: celebrating gratitude and the good things in life. And that is something everyone can relate to, no matter where you live.
Iconic Thanksgiving Traditions
One of the most fun parts of Thanksgiving is how it is celebrated. Some traditions are well-known around the world, and others are uniquely American.
Food is the heart of Thanksgiving. The centerpiece is usually a roasted turkey, often served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Sweet treats like pumpkin pie and pecan pie are also very popular. Some families have their own unique twist on these dishes, adding regional flavors or family recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Family and Friends are a big part of the celebration. Many people travel long distances to gather for the holiday. It is a time for reconnecting, sharing meals, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company.
Fun Activities include watching parades on television, American football games, or volunteering at local charities. Some families even start the day with a “Turkey Trot,” which is a fun run or walk to celebrate the holiday and stay active.
Even outside the United States, Thanksgiving has inspired local versions in other countries. For example, in Canada, the holiday is celebrated in October, and some countries like Japan and the Philippines have adapted certain aspects of the holiday, mostly food-centered celebrations or school events about gratitude.
The Universal Message: Gratitude
While the turkey and parades are fun, the most important part of Thanksgiving is gratitude. It’s about pausing your busy life and reflecting on what you have family, friends, health, or simply daily blessings.
This message is very relatable in my country Indonesia and Southeast Asia. We may not celebrate Thanksgiving officially, but we have our own ways of showing gratitude. For example, Indonesians have Syukuran, a ceremony to give thanks for blessings, or Selamatan, a communal celebration often held for birthdays, harvests, or other milestones. These traditions, like Thanksgiving, bring people together, celebrate what we have, and foster a sense of community.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t need a holiday. Even small actions can make a big difference:
Thanksgiving is celebrated abroad on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, it falls on November 27, 2025. It’s a special day to give thanks, share meals, and enjoy time with family and friends
In countries like Indonesia, my country for sure, people have their own cultural celebrations related to gratitude and harvest such as Syukuran, Selamatan, or local harvest festivals so Thanksgiving doesn’t naturally fit into the local cultural calendar.
However, the influence of Western media and global culture means some people in Southeast Asia now enjoy Thanksgiving-themed content, special dinners, or sales promotions, even if the holiday itself isn’t officially celebrated.
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| OUR VERSION OF THANKSGIVING Members of the community enjoy a simple and heartfelt syukuran feast at the mosque, enjoying meals and coffee, a beautiful display of gratitude and togetherness. Photo by Asep Haryono |
For the US people or many European countries, you probably know that Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. As far as I concern, Families gather, delicious food fills the table, and people take time to reflect on what they are grateful for. But in Southeast Asia, including my home country Indonesia, Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated.
So, why is that, and what can we learn from it?
Even though Thanksgiving is not part of our local tradition, its ideas are universal. The core message of this holiday gratitude, family, sharing, and togetherness resonates with everyone. Let’s explore what makes Thanksgiving so special, how it is celebrated in other countries, and how we can take inspiration from it in our own lives.
Thanksgiving has its roots in North America. The story goes back to the early 1600s when European settlers, known as the Pilgrims, arrived in what is now the United States. Life was hard in the new land. The settlers struggled with harsh weather, unfamiliar crops, and the challenges of building a community from scratch.
After their first successful harvest, they held a feast to give thanks for the food, safety, and help from the local Native Americans. This event is often considered the first Thanksgiving. Over time, Thanksgiving became an annual celebration, eventually becoming a national holiday in the United States in 1863, during President Abraham Lincoln’s time.
Although the history is very American, the lesson is universal: celebrating gratitude and the good things in life. And that is something everyone can relate to, no matter where you live.
Iconic Thanksgiving Traditions
One of the most fun parts of Thanksgiving is how it is celebrated. Some traditions are well-known around the world, and others are uniquely American.
Food is the heart of Thanksgiving. The centerpiece is usually a roasted turkey, often served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Sweet treats like pumpkin pie and pecan pie are also very popular. Some families have their own unique twist on these dishes, adding regional flavors or family recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Family and Friends are a big part of the celebration. Many people travel long distances to gather for the holiday. It is a time for reconnecting, sharing meals, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company.
Fun Activities include watching parades on television, American football games, or volunteering at local charities. Some families even start the day with a “Turkey Trot,” which is a fun run or walk to celebrate the holiday and stay active.
Even outside the United States, Thanksgiving has inspired local versions in other countries. For example, in Canada, the holiday is celebrated in October, and some countries like Japan and the Philippines have adapted certain aspects of the holiday, mostly food-centered celebrations or school events about gratitude.
The Universal Message: Gratitude
While the turkey and parades are fun, the most important part of Thanksgiving is gratitude. It’s about pausing your busy life and reflecting on what you have family, friends, health, or simply daily blessings.
This message is very relatable in my country Indonesia and Southeast Asia. We may not celebrate Thanksgiving officially, but we have our own ways of showing gratitude. For example, Indonesians have Syukuran, a ceremony to give thanks for blessings, or Selamatan, a communal celebration often held for birthdays, harvests, or other milestones. These traditions, like Thanksgiving, bring people together, celebrate what we have, and foster a sense of community.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t need a holiday. Even small actions can make a big difference:
• Share a meal with your family or neighbors.
• Reflect on what you are thankful for at the end of each day.
• Volunteer or help someone in need.
These are all ways to bring the spirit of Thanksgiving into everyday life
Global Influence and Modern Adaptations
In today’s global world, Thanksgiving is slowly becoming more visible outside North America. Western movies, TV shows, and social media have introduced the holiday to people around the world. Some restaurants and cafes in Southeast Asia even offer Thanksgiving-themed meals in November, giving locals a chance to experience a taste of the tradition.
Many people also enjoy the idea of Thanksgiving without waiting for the fourth Thursday of November. They can host a special dinner, bake a pumpkin pie, or gather friends and family simply to express gratitude. The important thing is the spirit of the holiday, not the exact date.
This adaptability makes Thanksgiving content very relatable for global audiences. People everywhere are interested in learning about other cultures while connecting it to their own life experiences.
Why Thanksgiving Matters
So, why should we care about Thanksgiving, even if we don’t officially celebrate it in Indonesia?
Thanksgiving reminds us to pause and reflect on our blessings. It emphasizes family, friends, and community values that are universal. And it encourages acts of kindness, sharing, and helping others.
Even if I never eat turkey or watch an American football game, I can still celebrate the essence of Thanksgiving. For example, I can:
• Host a “Gratitude Dinner” with my family.
• Write down three things I am thankful for every day.
• Volunteer at a local charity or community event.
These small actions help us live happier, more connected, and more meaningful lives. And in a world where many people focus on what they lack, Thanksgiving or simply the idea of gratitude offers a refreshing reminder of what really matters.
By writing about Thanksgiving from this angle, I hope I don’t just teach Indonesian readers about a foreign holiday, I inspire them to adopt values and habits that improve our own lives
My Experience of our version of the thanksgiving
In Indonesia, we have a wonderful tradition of sharing food with our neighbors, and I’ve realized it is very much like the spirit of Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States. In our communities, it’s common to exchange meals as a way of showing kindness and appreciation.
For example, I might prepare a simple plate of homemade dishesvegetables, rendang, or a local cake and deliver it to my neighbor. In return, they often give me food in exchange, sometimes the same dish, sometimes something different.
This small act is more than just sharing meals; it is a reflection of togetherness, care, and mutual respect. Through this practice, we celebrate not only the food itself but also the relationships and connections that make our community stronger.
Personally, this has become my way of adopting the spirit of Thanksgiving. Even though we don’t officially celebrate the holiday in Indonesia, these exchanges remind me of its core message: gratitude, generosity, and the joy of giving.
Every time I share food or receive something in return, I feel a sense of warmth and connection that is universal. It shows that the essence of Thanksgiving appreciating what we have and sharing it with others can be embraced anywhere, in any culture.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving may not be widely celebrated in Southeast Asia, but its core message is universal. Gratitude, family, community, and giving back are values that transcend cultures and borders. Whether it’s through food, tradition, or simple daily practices, we can all embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving in our own way.
This November or any time of the year take a moment to reflect on your blessings, share a meal with loved ones, or help someone in need. That is the heart of Thanksgiving, and it is a tradition that everyone, anywhere, can appreciate.
So, even if I don’t eat turkey or watch a parade, I can still celebrate the holiday by being thankful and sharing that gratitude with the people around me. After all, the spirit of Thanksgiving is not just a day it’s a way of life.
How do you express gratitude in your daily life?
Share your favorite way to celebrate thankfulness in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other
A Message From Asep Haryono
"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well. Please leave any comment down below. Let me hear from you. Greetings from Indonesia"
It is wonderful that many countries have traditions related to sharing food. It shows how food can help connect families, friends and communities. Sharing food can also mean the difference between survival and death. So, it is a very human act.
ReplyDeleteIt is comforting to know that there is gratitude in sharing meals together where ever you are. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Great to see how neighbors share. One year a neighbor brought me fry bread which was a custom with her Ingenious tribe. I had been making fudge so it was a wonderful way of reaching out to each other in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your post. Such a wonderful message. All the best to your holidays that you celebrate.
ReplyDelete