5 Truths About Thanksgiving That Only American Expats Will Truly Understand

Why Thanksgiving Is the Ultimate Expat Dilemma: 5 Truths Only Americans Abroad Will Get

Living abroad turns Thanksgiving into more than just a holiday, it’s a bittersweet cocktail of nostalgia, culinary improvisation, and a deep yearning for home.

From the hunt for elusive ingredients to finding camaraderie in unexpected places, here’s why this uniquely American tradition hits differently when you’re far from home.

1. The Annual November Gut Punch: When Thanksgiving Is a World Away

It starts with a twinge, a little tug at the edges of your expat heart.

November rolls in, and suddenly your social feed is flooded with pumpkin pie recipes, Thanksgiving tablescapes, and enough #grateful posts to make a Hallmark writer weep.

Meanwhile, you’re across the globe wondering how to explain to a local butcher why you need a 12-pound bird that isn’t a chicken.

For 25 years abroad, Thanksgiving has been my Achilles’ heel. Not Christmas. Not New Year’s. Thanksgiving.

It’s the one day that doesn’t just remind you of home, it drops you into a nostalgia spiral you can’t claw your way out of.

And let me tell you, trying to recreate it abroad is like baking bread without yeast: doable but painfully lacking.

2. Thanksgiving: America’s Culinary Mic Drop

There’s no holiday like Thanksgiving.

It’s a day so uniquely American that trying to explain it to someone abroad is like describing jazz to a cat. “So, it’s like Christmas without presents?”

No, it’s a calorie-heavy, gratitude-packed marathon with a side of family drama.

The history itself reads like an epic: Pilgrims on the brink of disaster, Wampanoag generosity, and Abraham Lincoln swooping in centuries later to declare it a holiday during the Civil War.

That’s Thanksgiving, survival, resilience, and the collective agreement that mashed potatoes should always come with gravy.

Then, there’s the sweet potato argument, “with marshmallows or without?”

Abroad, though? Thanksgiving doesn’t translate.

There are no gifts, no tinsel, no carols to latch onto. Just the smell of turkey you can’t find and a longing you can’t quite shake. But every year, I’ve tried.

3. The Kyiv Thanksgiving That Redefined “Making Do”

Let me set the scene: Kyiv, 2005. My kitchen had two functional burners, a Soviet-era oven that barely roasted vegetables, and no turkey in sight.

Cranberry sauce was an urban myth. Pumpkin puree? A fantasy.

My American teaching colleagues and I had one choice: outsource Thanksgiving to Arizona, the only American-themed restaurant in town.

Arizona was a caricature of Americana. Cowboy hats on the walls, wagon-wheel chandeliers, and menus that looked like they were typed on a Windows 95 template.

The place couldn’t have been more kitsch.

It looked like a foreigner’s over-hyped vision of America as gleaned from binge-watching too many Hollywood movies, and thinking, “Yes, this is it! This is America.”

Their Thanksgiving dinner? Overpriced.

The turkey? A little dry. The stuffing? Made with herbs I couldn’t identify. And the cranberry sauce? Canned, masquerading as gourmet.

Actually, it wasn’t that bad…. Either that, or I had been away for so long, I couldn’t tell the difference….

Yet, as we sat there, laughing at the absurdity of it all, I realized something: Thanksgiving isn’t about perfect recipes.

It’s about gathering, sharing what you have, and making a little magic in the mess.

Of course, if you think that’s where the story ends, you haven’t experienced Thanksgiving Eve.

4. Thanksgiving Eve: A Reunion Night Like No Other

Back in New England, Thanksgiving Eve was sacred. It wasn’t just about prep, it was the ultimate hometown reunion.

Dive bars overflowed with old friends, forgotten frenemies, and the occasional ex you weren’t quite ready to see.

At home, the kitchen became a symphony of organized chaos.

Flour dusted every surface, pie crusts were carefully negotiated, and someone always shouted, “WHERE’S THE BUTTER?!” over the hum of wine-fueled optimism.

But Thanksgiving Eve wasn’t just a warm-up, it was a reminder.

Abroad, though, Thanksgiving Eve is just Wednesday. And that quiet makes you feel the holiday’s absence even more.

5. Why Thanksgiving Abroad Hits You Harder Than Expected

It seemed every year, I tried to recreate Thanksgiving abroad.

There have been potlucks with fellow expats, each of us contributing our version of “traditional” dishes, or restaurants offering “authentic” Thanksgiving dinners that are 80% nostalgia, 20% confusion. But it’s never quite right.

What I miss most aren’t the dishes but the rituals: the Macy’s Parade on in the background, football games no one’s paying attention to, and the sound of family bickering about politics over dessert.

It’s the little, chaotic things that make Thanksgiving feel whole.

Living abroad, those gaps feel more pronounced.

You’re not just missing a meal, you’re missing the noisy, messy connection that makes Thanksgiving uniquely American.

Making Thanksgiving special abroad can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to create a unique celebration that blends tradition with creativity.

Next, are some tips to make it meaningful, no matter where you are.

How to Make Thanksgiving Special When You’re Abroad

Thanksgiving abroad isn’t about perfect recreation, it’s about embracing the spirit of the holiday in new and meaningful ways.

• Adapt with Local Flair
  Can’t find turkey or cranberries? Use local substitutes like chicken or a regional fruit jam. The effort is what counts, not perfection.
• Potluck with Expats
  Team up with fellow expats to recreate a Thanksgiving feast. Everyone brings a dish, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.
• Share with Locals
  Invite locals to your celebration and share the traditions. Be ready to explain the quirks, like marshmallows on sweet potatoes, and enjoy their reactions.
• Keep Traditions Alive
  Stream the Macy’s Parade, rewatch Thanksgiving movies, or even catch a football game online. Small rituals help recreate that holiday feel.
• Gratitude Is the Heart
  Go around the table and share what you’re thankful for. It’s a simple, heartfelt tradition that resonates no matter where you are.
• Create Something New
  Incorporate local customs or dishes into your Thanksgiving. This can turn your celebration into a unique blend of old and new.
• Stick with the Classics
  Make at least a couple of comfort dishes like stuffing or mashed potatoes. Even improvised versions can transport you back home.

With creativity and a little effort, Thanksgiving abroad can be just as special, sometimes even more so, than the ones you remember.

What Locals Really Think About Thanksgiving

Sharing Thanksgiving with locals can be a mix of fascination, amusement, and genuine interest.

Here’s been some I’ve heard over the years.

• “So, It’s Like Christmas Without Gifts?”
  Locals often struggle to understand Thanksgiving’s significance without presents or religious ties. It’s a chance to explain the focus on gratitude and togetherness.
• “You Eat How Much?!”
  Thanksgiving’s indulgence may surprise them. Explaining the endless parade of dishes can lead to wide eyes and a few laughs.
• “Marshmallows on What?”
  Expect raised eyebrows at some dishes. Sharing a taste, however, can turn skeptics into fans — or at least spark a good debate.
• “Can I Join?”
  Most locals are excited to experience something new. Invite them to your table and watch as they dive into the celebration.
• “Why Don’t We Have This?”
  Thanksgiving’s focus on family and gratitude is something everyone can relate to deeply, sparking admiration or envy for the simplicity of the tradition.
• “Black Friday Comes After This?”
  When they hear about the shopping frenzy, expect confusion or amusement. It’s a fun way to highlight Thanksgiving’s quirks.
• “Pilgrims and Football? What’s the Connection?”
  The mix of history, food, and sports can baffle locals, but explaining it makes for a great story.
• Thanksgiving is universally understood through its core message: “Gratitude”. Sharing the holiday with locals is a unique and very “American” way to celebrate and keep the tradition alive, even far from home.

Why Thanksgiving Is America’s Greatest Contribution to Humanity

Thanksgiving is imperfect and unapologetic, yet uniquely American. It’s the one day we throw calorie counts out the window, embrace our quirks, and gather for something bigger than ourselves.

No gifts. No pageantry. Just gratitude, food, and family in all its glorious chaos.

For expats like me, it’s a reminder of home, an anchor to a place and time that feels farther away with every passing year.

This Thanksgiving? 

Well, I’ve since given up on the whole thing and dream of one day returning to America, just for Thanksgiving.

Until then, I’ll have to hit up the closest McDonald’s or Burger King for my little taste of Americana.

Hey, they’ve just opened a Burger King right here in Saranda!