Reliving the Good Old Days: Thanksgiving Nostalgia for Boomers

Thanksgiving in the 1950s and 60s was centered around family, fellowship, and food. Like today, folks celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Families would often travel long distances to gather with relatives. If you’re a Boomer, this video will likely awaken memories of Thanksgivings past.

People would gather around the TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This spectacle of giant balloons, floats, and marching bands appealed to viewers of all ages. After the parade, families would begin preparing for the feast. The Thanksgiving meal was a major undertaking. In addition to turkey and mashed potatoes, many families also prepared other side dishes, such as creamed corn, apple pie, and Ambrosia salad.

The table often featured a formal tablecloth, plates with turkey prints, and a large centerpiece of a cornucopia filled with fall fruits and vegetables. Dessert was usually pumpkin pie. Folks often enjoyed leftovers for the rest of the week. Women wore dresses or skirts to Thanksgiving dinner in the 1950s, while men wore suits. Meanwhile, leftover turkey was made into gelatin molds, a dessert that has thankfully fallen out of favor.

Attending church on Thanksgiving was a common practice in the 1950s and 60s, reflecting the strong religious values and traditions of the era. Churches would often hold special services on Thanksgiving Day. These services often included prayers, hymns, and sermons that focused on themes of thankfulness and generosity.

Thanksgiving pageants were another popular tradition many Boomers may remember. Often held in schools, community centers, and churches, these pageants served as a way to commemorate the Thanksgiving story and emphasize the holiday’s values of gratitude, community, and friendship.

While traditions may have changed, the spirit of Thanksgiving is still alive and well today. The holiday continues to be a time for families to gather together and reflect on our blessings. Life is different now than it was in the 1950s, but we still have plenty to be thankful for!