Thanksgiving is this weekend. And my house is full of the cutest artwork that the kids have done at daycare and school. You gotta love the turkeys made from little tiny handprints. Of course here Thanksgiving usually means sitting around a table with family eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cabbage rolls, pergoies, and on and on and on. But what happens around the world?

In Germany, Erntedankfest is a harvest festival celebrated in late September or early October. Churches are decorated with fruits and vegetables, and community gatherings focus on giving thanks for the bounty of the year. The event may include parades, music, and dances, emphasizing community spirit and gratitude.

In South Korea, Chuseok is a major harvest festival with a focus on honoring ancestors. Families prepare a feast including rice cakes known as songpyeon and visit ancestral graves, offering part of their harvest and homemade delicacies in gratitude.

Japan’s Kinrō Kansha no Hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, is observed on November 23. Originally linked to a harvest ritual, it has evolved to celebrate labor and production. Schools often host events where children create drawings or crafts to show appreciation for workers in their community.

A tiny glimpse of the celebrations around the world. -Tonya Cherry-