Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canadian Thanksgiving Day

When I saw Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day, I thought I probably knew all about this day, but I was mistaken. Canadian Thanksgiving Day is not the same as Thanksgiving Day in the USA, so in this post I will write first about how these holidays are different and then about how Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada - and I'll share a couple Canadian recipes.

• Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (cooler autumn) - celebrated on the second Monday, whereas American is in November on the fourth Thursday (approaching winter).
• Canadians often treat it as a "farewell to fall" or final, relaxed long weekend to go to cottages. The US holiday is an intense kickoff to the Christmas shopping season (Black Friday).
• The first Canadian celebration was technically in 1578 (Martin Frobisher - and explorer who held a ceremony in Newfoundland/Nunavut to thank God for surviving a dangerous journey to find the Northwest Passage.), while the US tradition traces to the 1621 Plymouth celebration.
• While both include turkey and pumpkin pie, Canadian celebrations may include unique items like butter tarts or Nanaimo bars, maple roasted Fall veggies and often place less emphasis on specific casseroles (like green bean casserole) common in the US.
• Canadian Thanksgiving is not followed by the same massive shopping chaos Black Friday brings to the U.S.
• French settlers, including Samuel de Champlain, established the "Order of Good Cheer" and shared meals with local Indigenous peoples, focusing on survival and appreciation.
• Because Canada's climate is colder, the harvest takes place earlier than in the U.S., prompting an earlier celebration.
• In Canada  It is widely viewed as a long weekend for family gatherings, visiting cottages, hiking, and enjoying fall foliage.

Okay, now for a couple Canadian recipes for Thanksgiving! I'll start with Canadian Butter Tarts - what is this, you ask? Well, they are small pastry shells filled with a gooey carnalized mix of butter, sugar, eggs, maple syrup (of course!). Considered a quintessential Canadian treat, they are similar to mini pecan pies without the pecans, often featuring raisins or walnuts - but this is entirely up to you. You will find a recipe for these tasty treats at this link.

I have never heard of Nanaimo Bars, so I thought I'd learn what they are - this is what I found out. Nanaimo bars are a beloved Canadian no-bake dessert recognized by three distinct layers: a cocoa-graham-coconut base, custard icing, and chocolate ganache. They do sound tasty - you will find a recipe at this link. 

I read about maple roasted veggies, which sound very "Canadian" and like something I will definitely try, so I looked up a recipe to share with you - you will find it at this link.

When you combine turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, pumpkin pie with these Canadian Thanksgiving staples, I think you will have a truly wonderful dinner for those you love to enjoy with you!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Day!