Q&A for How to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Almost everything can be made ahead of time and warmed the day of, but it's best to cook your turkey on Thanksgiving day.

Typically gifts are not exchanged at thanksgiving, but if you are eating at someone else's house, you may consider bringing a drink or dessert.

It's really up to you, but I recommend between 5-7 p.m. It depends on the age of the people (a five-year-old shouldn't be eating sugary pumpkin pie later then 6:30) and the size of the meal.

Of course! As long as you have enough room in there for your guests, it's perfectly fine to have a party in your room.

I'd say between the hours of 4 and 5 pm, but you can call your relative and ask what time they want you to be there.

In theory, Thanksgiving is a time when families come together despite their differences and eat and celebrate gratitude. For many Americans and Canadians, it is a holiday that they are used to celebrating every November, and for that reason it is important to them.

Of course! I'm sure your German visitors would be very interested in learning about American culture and traditions like Thanksgiving.

Yes, you can. You could have a small party and play board games, card games, etc. You should decorate your room ahead of time!

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 when the pilgrims who emigrated to the New World (America) had a bountiful harvest and wanted to celebrate with the Native Americans.

No, but you can make or buy decorations featuring turkeys, gourds, and/or pilgrims. Of course, you could also just go ahead and put up your Christmas tree on Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is only officially celebrated in the United States and Canada. You can celebrate it in Europe if you'd like to though.

Give vegetables and other sides if they want some for a potluck dinner, but let them know what you're bringing.

Bring either to contribute to the feast and also offer to say grace during the meal and celebrate together.

Of course!

A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in gridiron football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team".

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs on NBC starting at 9am Eastern Time. It also reairs repeatedly throughout the day in case you miss it.

Usually the host leads the prayer or you could have someone else lead it that is preferred, such as an elderly family member.

If your relatives have not specifically spoken about you bringing something, you may get something that can be stored for later consumption, since the table might be full already. Or you can get any thoughtful gift for Thanksgiving. If you know about something that the host always wanted or liked, you can get something keeping that in mind. Or you can get a flower bouquet or something similar.

You can celebrate it simply with your family or with a friend, thank them for what you are grateful for and enjoy your regular meal, like every other day. It is not the exquisiteness of the meal that constitutes to a great thanksgiving, it's the coming together to be thankful that matters.

You can greet one another with a handshake, send thanksgiving cards either physical or e-cards. Typically, the day is celebrated together by creating a delicious meal including turkey and other items as mentioned in this article. Family comes together and you can give thanks for whatever you feel grateful for.

Many NFL teams play on Thanksgiving and some college football teams will play, but most replays will be on so you can watch those too.

No! You can watch whatever you want, just football is more of a fall thing in families that make a big deal out of sporting events.

The article suggests no such thing, merely that it's a common tradition to have the football game on in many households. If you don't like football, by all means, put on some festive music instead, or a Thanksgiving classic like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes, Trains and Automobiles.