kitchen remodel

Feeling Cramped This Thanksgiving?

By November 18, 2019September 18th, 2025Uncategorized

Fun Fact: The National Holiday That Almost Wasn’t

You probably know Mary Had a Little Lamb, but did you know its author, Sarah J. Hale, played a major role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Between 1846 and 1863, she wrote letters to five U.S. Presidents (Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, and Lincoln), advocating for a national day of Thanksgiving. It was finally her letter to President Lincoln that helped convince him to sign off on the holiday in 1863. Thanks, Sarah!

Recent Trends in Thanksgiving 2025

  • Celebration size & spending: About 89% of consumers plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. The anticipated average gathering size is around nine people. Despite inflation, most still plan to celebrate in full. CPA Practice Advisor

  • Cost-saving changes: To manage budgets, 21% of people asked guests to bring part of the meal. Others are modifying side dishes (15%), non-food items like décor or disposable tableware (14%), and desserts (12%) to reduce expenses. CPA Practice Advisor

  • Procedural & hosting trends: Gatherings are expected to grow in size; many hosts still want a full feast despite economic pressures. Yahoo+1

  • Favourite sides changing: Stuffing has become America’s new #1 side dish, ahead of mashed potatoes. Allrecipes

Why Sarah J. Hale’s Story Still Resonates

  • It reminds us how individual persistence can shape national culture.

  • It illustrates the power of writing to leadership, especially “soft power” via letters and advocacy.

  • It’s a useful angle: we can connect historical activism to modern Thanksgiving practices (how people today advocate for causes, how tradition evolves, etc.).

How to Make This Year’s Thanksgiving Meaningful (Without Breaking the Bank)

  1. Involve guests — Potluck style meals or shared contributions lighten the hosting load.

  2. Reimagine décor — Instead of buying new, reuse or DIY old items.

  3. Focus on what matters most — Family, gratitude, togetherness, and stories.

  4. Add meaningful rituals — Ask guests to share one thing they are thankful for, or revisit the history behind Thanksgiving (like Sarah J. Hale’s story).

  5. Make it engaging for all ages — Share fun facts, trivia, or turn telling stories into a family activity.

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