Vintage 1950s Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

          Other than the food not much has changed for Thanksgiving since the 1950s except for, of course, the clothes and the fact that family would arrive by train or bus vs car or plane.

          I have so many fond memories in New York, waiting in Grand Central Station or the Bus Depot for the family to come from all reaches of New York and Long Island. The anticipation of seeing loved Aunts and Uncles, cousins and grandmothers was always a treat for the holidays.

          Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner in the 50s depended on where you lived. It was not unusual to have Roast Turkey, Herb or Corn Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, marshmallow baked sweet potatoes, Buttered Green Beans, green salad, Hot Biscuits, Butter, Pumpkin Pie, Hot Coffee. Some dinner tables had fruit pies, coleslaw, pineapple upside down cake, Hot Tomato Starters, Jello with fruit were all proudly served.

          The men gathered in the living room to watch professional football games and cheer, while the women congregated in the kitchen to clean up and gossip. Children played with visiting cousins or friends.


          So, not much changed throughout the decades...thankfully so.