# Thanksgiving English: History, Vocabulary, Wishes and Black Friday Shopping English

> US Thanksgiving 2026 falls on November 26. Learn Thanksgiving vocabulary, the history behind the holiday, Happy Thanksgiving wishes and thank-you card phrases, plus practical Black Friday shopping and returns English, all before the holiday.

- URL: https://ambitious-learner.com/en/resources/thanksgiving-english-vocabulary
- Author: Ambitious Learner Editorial Team（Ambitious Learner Ambitious Learner）
- Published: 2026-10-25
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Category: Learning English

## Key points in 30 seconds

US Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, and Canadian Thanksgiving is on October 12; the day after US Thanksgiving, November 27, is Black Friday. This guide covers the history of Thanksgiving, 40 words for food, activities and gratitude, 20 wishes for friends, family, coworkers and clients, 5 ways to reply to Happy Thanksgiving, thank-you card and business email templates, Black Friday shopping and returns English, and 10 speaking practice questions.

- **Thanksgiving English**: Thanksgiving (or Thanksgiving Day) = Thanks (gratitude) + Giving.
- **2026 dates**: US: November 26 (Thursday, the fourth Thursday of November). Canada: October 12 (Monday, the second Monday of October).
- **Happy Thanksgiving**: Happy Thanksgiving! For a more formal tone: Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
- **How to reply**: Happy Thanksgiving to you too! or Thanks! You too!
- **Black Friday**: The day after Thanksgiving: November 27 in 2026. Cyber Monday is November 30.

## What does Thanksgiving mean?

The holiday is called **Thanksgiving** (often also **Thanksgiving Day**). In 2026, US Thanksgiving falls on **Thursday, November 26**, and the most common greeting is **Happy Thanksgiving!** The next day, November 27, is Black Friday. This guide brings together the history of Thanksgiving, 40 words, 20 wishes, thank-you card and work email templates, and Black Friday shopping and returns English.

The word breaks down into two parts:

- **Thanks**: gratitude, appreciation
- **Giving**: the act of giving

Put together, it is a holiday for giving thanks. **Happy Thanksgiving!** works with family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances. In American culture, Thanksgiving is about more than saying thank you: it is about getting together with family, sharing food, and reflecting on the people and things you are grateful for.

### Thanksgiving vs. thankful vs. grateful

| English | Part of speech | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Thanksgiving** | Noun | The holiday itself |
| **Thankful** | Adjective | Feeling thanks; appreciative |
| **Grateful** | Adjective | Feeling grateful, often toward a specific person |

**I’m thankful for my family.**

**I’m grateful for your support.**

**We celebrate Thanksgiving every November.**

Thankful and grateful are close in meaning, but grateful is more often used for appreciation of someone’s help, support or kindness, and it is very common in workplace English:

**I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to work with you.**

This sentence works well in a business thank-you note.

## When is Thanksgiving 2026? US and Canada dates differ

Many people assume Thanksgiving is on a fixed date in November, but it isn’t. Both the US and Canada celebrate Thanksgiving, on different days.

| Holiday | Date in 2026 | Day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Canadian Thanksgiving | October 12 | Monday |
| Thanksgiving Day (US) | November 26 | Thursday |
| Black Friday | November 27 | Friday |
| Cyber Monday | November 30 | Monday |

Thanksgiving and shopping holiday dates in 2026

### US Thanksgiving: the fourth Thursday of November

US Thanksgiving is always on **the fourth Thursday of November**, so in 2026 it is **Thursday, November 26, 2026**. It is a federal holiday, and many families plan a big meal, travel or head home to be together. It also marks the start of the holiday season.

### Canadian Thanksgiving: the second Monday of October

Canadian Thanksgiving is always on **the second Monday of October**, so in 2026 it was **Monday, October 12, 2026** (it has already passed this year). It also centers on gratitude, the harvest and family time, but its history is not quite the same as in the US.

### Why do the two countries celebrate on different days?

The US tradition is linked to harvest gatherings in the colonial period and gradually grew into a national holiday. Canadian Thanksgiving was shaped by the local harvest season, historical events and European thanksgiving traditions. Canada lies farther north, and in many areas the harvest comes earlier than in the US, so the two countries ended up with different dates and traditions.

To ask a friend from another country when they celebrate, you can say:

**When do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country?**

## The history of Thanksgiving: why turkey?

When people think of Thanksgiving, many picture the 1621 harvest gathering at Plymouth, where English colonists and members of the Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast. That event later became a key part of the traditional American Thanksgiving story.

The real history, however, is far more complicated than the textbook version. For some Native American peoples, it is also a story of colonization, loss of land and later conflict, so Thanksgiving shouldn’t be told only as a tale of everyone living in harmony.

### How did Thanksgiving become a national holiday?

| Year | Event |
| --- | --- |
| 1621 | The Plymouth harvest gathering: colonists and members of the Wampanoag people share a harvest feast, later widely linked to the origin story of Thanksgiving. |
| 1863 | During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issues a [Thanksgiving Proclamation](https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm) setting the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. |
| 1941 | Congress passes a law fixing Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November ([U.S. National Archives](https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving)). |

### Why is turkey the star of Thanksgiving?

A turkey is big enough to feed the whole family, and North America has a long tradition of eating it, so it gradually became the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table. That said, there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that the 1621 feast included the kind of roast turkey we know today. The modern combination of turkey, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce took shape over hundreds of years of food culture.

## Thanksgiving vocabulary: 40 must-know words

If you want to talk about Thanksgiving in English, start with three groups of words: food, activities and gratitude.

### Thanksgiving food: 15 words

| English | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Turkey** | A large bird; the main dish at Thanksgiving |
| **Roast turkey** | A whole turkey cooked in the oven |
| **Stuffing** | A bread-based mixture cooked inside or alongside the turkey |
| **Mashed potatoes** | Boiled potatoes mashed until smooth |
| **Gravy** | A sauce made from meat juices |
| **Cranberry sauce** | A sweet-tart sauce made from cranberries |
| **Pumpkin pie** | A spiced pie with a pumpkin filling |
| **Sweet potatoes** | Orange root vegetables, often baked or mashed |
| **Cornbread** | A bread made with cornmeal |
| **Green bean casserole** | A baked dish of green beans in a creamy sauce |
| **Dinner rolls** | Small soft bread rolls |
| **Pecan pie** | A sweet pie made with pecan nuts |
| **Apple pie** | A pie with an apple filling |
| **Roasted vegetables** | Vegetables cooked in the oven |
| **Leftovers** | Food left over after a meal |

**Turkey is the traditional centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner.**

**My favorite Thanksgiving dish is pumpkin pie.**

**We have plenty of leftovers from yesterday’s dinner.**

### Thanksgiving activities: 15 words

| English | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Thanksgiving dinner** | The big holiday meal |
| **Family gathering** | A get-together with family |
| **Reunion** | Coming together again after time apart |
| **Feast** | A large, special meal |
| **Harvest** | Gathering crops; the crops gathered |
| **Parade** | A public procession through the streets |
| **Thanksgiving parade** | A parade held on Thanksgiving |
| **Football game** | An American football game |
| **Potluck** | A meal where each guest brings a dish |
| **Friendsgiving** | A Thanksgiving get-together with friends |
| **Volunteer** | To help out for free; a person who does so |
| **Charity** | Helping people in need; an organization that does so |
| **Tradition** | A custom passed down over time |
| **Celebration** | An event or party to mark an occasion |
| **Holiday season** | The period from Thanksgiving through New Year |

**We’re having a potluck dinner this Thanksgiving.**

**Are you going home for Thanksgiving?**

**My friends and I are planning a Friendsgiving party.**

**Friendsgiving** combines Friends and Thanksgiving and means a Thanksgiving get-together with friends. It is more relaxed than a traditional family dinner: people often each bring a dish, cook together or catch up. It is very common in everyday American life and on social media:

**I’m hosting Friendsgiving at my apartment this weekend.**

### Gratitude and feelings: 10 words

| English | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Gratitude** | The feeling of being thankful |
| **Thankful** | Feeling thanks |
| **Grateful** | Feeling grateful |
| **Appreciation** | Thanks; recognizing the value of something |
| **Blessing** | Something good you are thankful for |
| **Kindness** | Being kind to others |
| **Generosity** | Willingness to give or share |
| **Togetherness** | The feeling of being close and together |
| **Cherish** | To value something deeply |
| **Give thanks** | To say or show thanks |

**Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude.**

**I cherish every moment with my family.**

**We have so many things to be thankful for.**

## Thanksgiving wishes: 20 ways to say Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving is the most common greeting, but saying only that every time can feel a bit flat. Here are 20 natural, practical Thanksgiving wishes, grouped by who you are writing to.

### For friends

1. **Happy Thanksgiving!**
2. **Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!**
3. **Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with love and laughter.**
4. **I’m so thankful to have you as a friend.**
5. **Enjoy the food, family time, and holiday spirit!**

### For family

1. **I’m grateful for all the love and support you’ve given me.**
2. **Thank you for always being there for me.**
3. **I’m blessed to have such a wonderful family.**
4. **Wishing our family a Thanksgiving filled with happiness.**
5. **No matter how far apart we are, I’m always thankful for you.**

### For coworkers

1. **Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a pleasure working with you.**
2. **Thank you for being such a supportive teammate.**
3. **I’m grateful for everything we’ve accomplished together.**
4. **Wishing you and your family a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.**
5. **Thank you for your hard work and dedication this year.**

### For clients, managers and business partners (formal)

1. **Wishing you and your team a wonderful Thanksgiving.**
2. **We sincerely appreciate your continued trust and support.**
3. **Thank you for the opportunity to work together.**
4. **We are truly grateful for our partnership.**
5. **Wishing you continued success and a joyful holiday season.**

### Choosing a wish: match the tone to the person

With friends and family, warm and casual sentences work well; with coworkers, managers or clients, choose more formal, professional wording. Both of these say thank you, but they fit different situations:

**I’m so thankful for our friendship!**  
Casual: between friends

**We truly appreciate your continued support.**  
Formal: business settings

This is a key business English skill: **it is not just about correct English, but about knowing which tone fits which situation.**

## How to reply to Happy Thanksgiving: 5 natural responses

When a friend or coworker says **Happy Thanksgiving!**, you don’t need a complicated answer. These five replies go from simple to ones that keep the conversation going:

| Situation | Reply | Why it works |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Most common, always safe | **Happy Thanksgiving to you too!** | Returns the same wish |
| Short and friendly | **Thanks! You too!** | Quick and casual |
| A little warmer | **Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!** | Adds a kind wish for their holiday |
| Business settings | **Thank you! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.** | Polite; includes their family |
| Keep the conversation going | **Thanks! Do you have any special plans for Thanksgiving?** | Asks about their plans |

The last one is great for speaking practice: you return the wish and naturally open the next topic.

### Sample Thanksgiving conversation

**A: Happy Thanksgiving!**

**B: Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!**

**A: Are you doing anything special this year?**

**B: Yes, I’m having dinner with my family. How about you?**

**A: I’m going to a Friendsgiving party.**

**B: That sounds fun! Enjoy!**

This short exchange covers greeting someone, sharing plans and keeping the conversation going, which makes it great everyday English practice.

## How to write a Thanksgiving thank-you card: 3 templates

Besides saying it out loud, Thanksgiving is a great time to write a thank-you card. You can use these three templates as they are.

### Template 1: To a friend

> Dear Sarah,
> 
> Happy Thanksgiving!
> I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how grateful I am for our friendship.
> Thank you for always being there for me and making life a little brighter.
> Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with happiness and love!
> 
> Best wishes,
> Emily

### Template 2: To a teacher

> Dear Teacher,
> 
> Happy Thanksgiving!
> Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and dedication.
> I truly appreciate everything you’ve taught me and the support you’ve given me throughout my learning journey.
> Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
> 
> Best regards,
> Alex

### Template 3: To your manager

> Dear Mr. Johnson,
> 
> As Thanksgiving approaches, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your guidance and support.
> Thank you for giving me opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
> I truly value the experience of working with you and our team.
> Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
> 
> Best regards,
> David

## Thanksgiving business emails: thanking clients professionally

If you work for an international company or often deal with American clients, Thanksgiving is a natural chance to strengthen the relationship. One rule: **a business thank-you note is not a sales pitch; the point is to say thank you sincerely.** For more email phrasing, see our [procurement English email templates](https://ambitious-learner.com/resources/procurement-english-email-templates).

### Template 1: Thanksgiving greeting to a US client

> **Subject: Happy Thanksgiving from Our Team**
> 
> Dear [Client’s Name],
> 
> As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for your continued trust and support.
> It has been a pleasure working with you, and we truly value our business relationship.
> We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration in the coming year.
> Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with happiness and joy.
> 
> Best regards,
> [Your Name]
> [Company Name]

### Template 2: Short thank-you note to an overseas coworker

> **Subject: Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!**
> 
> Hi [Name],
> 
> Happy Thanksgiving!
> I just wanted to say thank you for all your support and teamwork this year.
> I really appreciate your help, and it’s been great working with you.
> Hope you have a relaxing holiday with your family and friends!
> 
> Best,
> [Your Name]

### 5 useful phrases for business thank-you notes

| Phrase | When to use it |
| --- | --- |
| **We sincerely appreciate your support.** | General thanks for support |
| **Thank you for your continued trust.** | Thanks for an ongoing relationship |
| **It’s been a pleasure working with you.** | Shows you enjoy working together |
| **We value our business relationship.** | Shows the relationship matters to you |
| **We look forward to working with you again.** | A forward-looking closing line |

### Tip: when you’re not sure they celebrate Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving greetings are best for US clients or coworkers who celebrate the holiday. If the recipient isn’t in the US, or you’re not sure whether they celebrate, use a neutral thank-you line instead to avoid making cultural assumptions:

**Thank you for your continued support and partnership.**

## What is Black Friday?

**Black Friday** is the Friday right after US Thanksgiving. In 2026 it falls on **Friday, November 27, 2026**. Many retailers offer special discounts and limited-time deals that day, and today shoppers around the world pay attention, not just in the US.

### Why is it called Black Friday?

One key source is the Philadelphia police, who used the term to describe the crowds, traffic jams and shopping chaos the day after Thanksgiving. Only later did retailers connect Black Friday with big year-end sales.

You may have heard another explanation: stores that were losing money (*in the red*) turned a profit (*in the black*) thanks to Black Friday sales. That is a business explanation that became popular later; it is not where the term originally came from.

### Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

|   | Black Friday | Cyber Monday |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | The Friday after US Thanksgiving | The Monday after US Thanksgiving |
| Date in 2026 | November 27 | November 30 |
| Origin | Post-Thanksgiving retail shopping | Online shopping promotions |
| Traditional focus | In-store sales | Online deals |
| Today | Online and in-store at the same time | Mainly online sales |

Today the difference is less clear. Many online stores start their Black Friday sales early and keep them running through Cyber Monday, so you don’t always have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving for deals.

## Black Friday shopping English: 15 must-know words

If you often shop on overseas websites, these words come in handy.

| English | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Black Friday sale** | Sales held on Black Friday |
| **Discount** | A reduction in price |
| **Deal** | A good offer or bargain |
| **Limited-time offer** | A deal available only for a short time |
| **Doorbuster** | A very low-priced item to draw shoppers in |
| **Flash sale** | A short, sudden sale |
| **Coupon** | A voucher that gives a discount |
| **Promo code** | A code you enter for a discount |
| **Free shipping** | No delivery charge |
| **Out of stock** | Not available right now |
| **In stock** | Available to buy now |
| **Add to cart** | Put an item in your online basket |
| **Checkout** | The step where you pay |
| **Refund** | Money given back to you |
| **Return policy** | A store’s rules for sending items back |

### Common phrases on shopping websites

**Get 50% off selected items.**

**Buy one, get one free.**

**Free shipping on orders over $100.**

**This offer is valid for a limited time only.**

**Only a few items left in stock.**

**Use promo code THANKS20 at checkout.**

These are example sentences only, not real promotions or valid discount codes.

### What does 30% off mean?

In English, “X% off” tells you how much is taken off the price, not how much you pay. To find what you pay, subtract the number from 100:

| English | You pay |
| --- | --- |
| 10% off | 90% of the original price |
| 20% off | 80% of the original price |
| 30% off | 70% of the original price |
| 50% off | 50% of the original price (half price) |
| 70% off | 30% of the original price |

**This jacket is 30% off.**  
You pay 70% of the original price.

**All shoes are 50% off today.**  
Every pair of shoes is half price.

**Is there an additional discount?**

## Online shopping English: returns, refunds and exchanges

Black Friday brings lots of deals, but buying from overseas can also mean the wrong size, damaged items or late deliveries. Knowing basic shopping English makes these problems much easier to handle.

### Return vs. refund vs. exchange

| English | Meaning | What happens | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Return** | Send it back | You send the item back to the seller | I’d like to return this item. |
| **Refund** | Money given back to you | The seller gives your money back | Can I get a refund? |
| **Exchange** | Swap it | You get a different size, color or item instead | I’d like to exchange this for a different size. |

### Common questions when shopping from overseas

1. **Do you ship internationally?**
2. **How much is the shipping fee?**
3. **How long does delivery take?**
4. **Can I track my order?**
5. **What is your return policy?**
6. **Can I cancel my order?**
7. **The item arrived damaged.**
8. **I received the wrong item.**

### Sample customer service conversation

**Customer: Hi, I’d like to return an item I purchased last week.**

**Customer Service: Of course. May I ask why you’d like to return it?**

**Customer: The size doesn’t fit me.**

**Customer Service: Would you prefer an exchange or a refund?**

**Customer: I’d prefer a refund, please.**

**Customer Service: No problem. Please follow the return instructions in your order confirmation email.**

Conversations like this aren’t just for Black Friday; you’ll use them any time you shop online from overseas.

## Thanksgiving speaking practice: 10 useful questions

Once you know the words and phrases, the next step is to speak. Thanksgiving touches on family, food, culture and travel, so it is a great topic to discuss with an English teacher or friends from other countries.

### Beginner: everyday conversation

1. **Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?**
2. **What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?**
3. **Do you prefer turkey or chicken?**
4. **How do you usually spend Thanksgiving?**

### Intermediate: sharing your thoughts

1. **What are you thankful for this year?**
2. **Why do you think gratitude is important?**
3. **Would you rather celebrate Thanksgiving with family or friends?**

### Advanced: culture and opinions

1. **How is Thanksgiving different from traditional holidays in Taiwan?**
2. **Do you think Black Friday encourages people to buy things they don’t need?**
3. **How can people express gratitude beyond giving gifts?**

### Sample answers: What are you thankful for this year?

| Level | Sample answer |
| --- | --- |
| Beginner | **I’m thankful for my family and friends.** |
| Intermediate | **I’m thankful for my family because they always support me when I face challenges.** |
| Advanced | **Looking back on this year, I’m especially grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow both personally and professionally. Even though there were some challenges, they helped me become more confident and resilient.** |

The difference between the three answers isn’t just vocabulary; it is whether you can organize your ideas into complete, logical sentences.

## Common Thanksgiving English mistakes: 5 to watch for

| Common mistake or myth | What to say instead |
| --- | --- |
| Is “Happy Thanksgiving Day” more formal? | Not really. The most natural and common greeting is **Happy Thanksgiving!** Adding “Day” isn’t wrong, but it isn’t needed. |
| Are Thanksgiving and Christmas on the same day? | No. US Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November; Christmas is always on December 25. |
| ❌ I’m appreciate your help. | ✅ **I appreciate your help.** Appreciate is a verb, so don’t put am in front of it. You can also say **I’m grateful for your help.** |
| ❌ Thank you for your helping. | ✅ **Thank you for your help.** or **Thank you for helping me.** (Use your help with the noun; with helping, say for helping me.) |
| Does every country celebrate Thanksgiving? | No. Many countries have their own thanksgiving or harvest traditions, with different dates and customs. In conversation, you can start by asking **Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your country?** |

## Start with Thanksgiving: make your English truly usable

Learning English isn’t just about memorizing words and grammar; it is about expressing yourself naturally in real situations. When a coworker says Happy Thanksgiving, can you reply naturally? When an American client sends holiday greetings, can you write back an appropriate email? When you need a return or exchange from an overseas website, can you explain it clearly to customer service?

Thanksgiving is a great place to start. Begin with **I’m thankful for my family.** and work your way up to **I’m truly grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have helped me grow this year.**

- **Working professionals**: before the holiday, draft your greetings to overseas coworkers or clients, adapting the phrases above into your own words.
- **Students and self-learners**: pick 3 speaking questions, record a 1-minute answer to each, then compare with the sample answers and add to your sentences.
- **Want to sound more natural?** Understanding a sentence doesn’t mean you can say it. In [one-on-one online English lessons](https://ambitious-learner.com/programs/life-english), a teacher can role-play dinners, workplace and customer service situations with you and correct your usage on the spot.

### Want to go from understanding English to actually speaking it?

Ambitious Learner [one-on-one online English lessons](https://ambitious-learner.com/programs/life-english) are tailored to your level and goals, and can help with everyday speaking, workplace communication and business emails, life abroad and cross-cultural communication, and interview English.

👉 Want to try a one-on-one English lesson? Ask questions and book a trial through the [Ambitious Learner official LINE](https://lin.ee/R3GZRrW).

## Further reading

- [Weather English: words for sun, rain, hot and cold, typhoons and useful dialogues](https://ambitious-learner.com/resources/weather-english-vocabulary-phrases-dialogues)
- [Workplace English guide: meetings, emails and international teamwork](https://ambitious-learner.com/resources/workplace-english-communication-tips)

### Sources

- [Congress Establishes Thanksgiving – U.S. National Archives](https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving)
- [Proclamation of Thanksgiving (1863) – Abraham Lincoln Online](https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm)
- [When Is Thanksgiving? – Farmers' Almanac](https://www.farmersalmanac.com/when-is-thanksgiving)

> Last updated: October 2026. This article provides cultural background on Thanksgiving, English learning tips and shopping English. For actual store deals, sale dates and return policies, check each platform’s official announcements.

## FAQ

### Is it “Thanksgiving” or “Thanksgiving Day”?

Both are correct. Thanksgiving is the most common; Thanksgiving Day refers more specifically to the day itself. As an everyday greeting, people usually say Happy Thanksgiving.

### When is US Thanksgiving in 2026?

US Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26. It is always on the fourth Thursday of November.

### When is Canadian Thanksgiving in 2026?

Canadian Thanksgiving 2026 was on Monday, October 12. It is always on the second Monday of October.

### How do you wish someone a happy Thanksgiving?

The most common way is Happy Thanksgiving! For something a little fuller, say Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

### How should I reply when someone says Happy Thanksgiving?

The most natural reply is Happy Thanksgiving to you too! or simply Thanks! You too! To keep the conversation going, add Do you have any special plans for Thanksgiving?

### Do you have to eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

No. Turkey is the traditional symbol of US Thanksgiving, but families may also serve ham, vegetarian dishes or their own family specialties.

### What does Friendsgiving mean?

Friendsgiving combines Friends and Thanksgiving and means a Thanksgiving get-together with friends, often a potluck where everyone brings a dish.

### What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the Friday right after US Thanksgiving; in 2026 it is November 27.

### What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is the Monday after US Thanksgiving, originally known for online shopping deals; in 2026 it is November 30.

### How do I tell someone I’m grateful to them in English?

You can say I’m grateful to you., I really appreciate your help., or Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.