In the most ancient of harvest festivals, fierce sporting competitions and games were a part of the festivities. So perhaps it is no wonder that we still look to sports to entertain us during our “harvest” gathering. From the high school level up to the NFL, football is a Turkey Day tradition. But in many cases, one need look no farther than the backyard – many families hold cherished annual football games that can get every bit as competitive as the pros – not to mention work up a great appetite!

Thanksgiving Day parades are also a beloved way to make the time pass before dinner; the New York City Macy’s Day Parade being the most iconic. Few people realize that the parade was instituted in 1924 for a very non-sentimental reason. Wanting to maximize the retail opportunity of the Christmas season, large department stores put on massive shows to draw in the customers and begin the holiday retail season. Macy’s wasn’t the first store to hold a parade – Gimbel’s owns that honor – but the Macy’s parade is the one that has continued through the decades, right up until present day.

Of course, the most anticipated part of Thanksgiving is dinner! Inspired by the legendary feast of 1621, when Pilgrims hosted the Indians to thank them for their help with the crops – modern day Thanksgiving is still an abundant harvest of food. While turkeys were served at that first event, they were not by any means the main course – there was also deer, seafood and many fruits and vegetables. No one really knows why the turkey has emerged as the entree of choice, but there is no denying it is – it is estimated that 95% of us will enjoy the bird this Thanksgiving.

The holiday table, and those gathered around it, remains the truest expression of Thanksgiving. The vibrant autumn centerpieces and fall bouquets from Walter Knoll Florist are sure to bring beauty and charm to any dinner table this Thanksgiving. Come into one our St. Louis flower shops to order your Thanksgiving centerpiece today – and then you can concentrate on practicing for the big game!