Thanksgiving is a holiday made up of custom and tradition. From the original feast attended by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians – which took place in Plymouth in 1621 – to the family get-togethers of today, the holiday is an expression of love, thankfulness, and community. For many years, Mission Viejo Florist has been honored to participate in decorating countless Thanksgiving tables and providing warm and inviting holiday decor. Whatever your personal Thanksgiving customs, we have the perfect floral design for you.
Why do we eat turkey? Thanksgiving most often consists of a big meal which includes turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Although the turkey is one of the most identifiable symbols of the holiday, it is unclear how that came about. Historians believe that turkey was probably not served at the first Thanksgiving feast – the Indian chief sent venison, and the settlers contributed seafood and waterfowl. More than likely the turkey earned the honor for very practical reasons – it was abundantly available, there was enough meat to feed a large family, and the turkey did not serve any other purpose (such as eggs from a chicken or milk from a cow).
Did You Know? Americans eat 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving. But each year, there is one very lucky turkey pardoned by the President of the United States, and that bird has John F. Kennedy to thank. From the time of the establishment of Thanksgiving as a holiday in 1863, a choice turkey was delivered annually to the White House. In 1963, JFK famously remarked, “Let’s just let this one live” when presented with chosen bird, thus starting an American tradition of mercy.
A traditional Thanksgiving evokes different feelings and memories in different people. No matter what makes your Thanksgiving special, Mission Viejo Florist wishes you and your family a meaningful holiday full of beauty and gratitude. Throughout the entire Mission Viejo community, and to all our friends and neighbors- we look forward to helping you to decorate for the holiday season.
