Hi, here's Jo, writing from England an the day before American Thanksgiving, so I have to address it, don't I? (I've used a pic of me and Andrea, because I'm definitely thankful for the Wenches, and also for my recent cataract operations which mean I don't need those glasses anymore. Yay! If there are typos here it's because my eyes are still getting used to the new order and I have some double vision on the screen. Getting better every day, though.)
Oh, another Wenchly thing. If you're on Facebook, check out our page and our new logo. We'd like to know what you think.
We don't have a Thanksgiving day here. I lived for decades in Canada, which celebrates Thanksgiving, but in October and not with quite such fervour as in the States.
What is Thanksgiving?That might seem like a dumb question — Pilgrims, first settlements, turkey etc. But I was listening to a radio programme where they said the origins are debatable, and when I checked, it's true(You canread about the issue here.)
It probably came about after the Revolution, drawing on a long old world tradition of days of thanksgiving for victories and such. A day to celebrate the new country.
Perfectly reasonable, but what I like about American Thanksgiving is that it's morphed away from politics and violent victory and become a family celebration. Plus, unlike Christmas, it's escaped commercialization. Sure people spend on food and travel, but not usually on cards and gifts and it's also just one day.
Christmas can drag on over weeks, what with home parties, work parties, school activities and trying to get around as many family locales as is humanly possible. Add to that the ads, jingles and stuff in all the shops starting in November and it's overwhelming. And of course Christmas is religious at heart, and so not truly for all.
Thankgiving is non-denominational. It belongs to no religion or race, so all can celebrate without ambiguity. It's also particularly family oriented. If people throw work Thanksgiving dinners I don't want to know about it. I gather schools do do a bit of pilgrim and turkey stuff, but not too much, I hope. It's a day for family to gather to eat together, along with friends. If there's no family around, then friends will gather. 
(I chose that image simply because it's so celebratory.)
Gathering to eat — feasting — is a good thing with deep roots in the human psyche. On the radio program American said that there was so much food at a Thanksgiving dinner because people tried to make sure that everyone had their favourite. That's great too.
Britain doesn't have a family oriented day of thankgiving and I think we should. We have November 5th, which began as thanksgiving for the king and parliament not being blown up, but that's too political, and it also has religious connections that linger. Someone recently mentioned that they don't pay any attention to it because it's anti-Catholic. We hold our history close and long over here! There are still a few grudges held in Lancashire and Yorkshire about the Wars of the Roses, and if anyone mentioned our great cathedrals, my mother would say, "It should be ours." We were Catholic and she was still protesting the Reformation.
So I think we should institute a thanksgiving holiday here in Britian on June 21st when everyone is naturally feeling jolly about the beginning of summer and when the day is longest, which in the north of Britain can be very long indeed. A day on which we could feast by daylight until very late. No history or religion about it. No memories of violence. In fact I'd link it not to family but to location, using the idea of street parties to bring neighbours together and forge stronger communities. A sharing meal with the emphasis on simple food and drink that everyone can afford, and sharing good memories. A good idea?
Are you from America? If so, what do you think about my comments about your Thanksgiving? Do you enjoy the holiday? What would you change about it if you could?
What about Canada? Is it an important feast day for you?
If you're from elsewhere, do you have a national thanksgiving feast? If so, tell us about it. If you could institute one, what would it be about and how would it be celebrated?
Wherever you are, take a moment to give thanks for any and all blessings. It's the best way to make them multiply. 
If you are in a Christmas mood already, I have boxed together some Christmas novellas with other goodies. You can find out more here.
Cheers,
Jo
As I have been moving through a family situation which is likely to end with satisfactory conclusion, I have had friends and family standing beside me. A couple of my friends have advised gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for–my mother is alive, my brothers are actively involved, my friends listen and offer counsel, and my job is letting me have considerable time off and sending a thoughtful card. With the exception of Mom, everyone is healthy and whole.
The phone, texting, and the internet are the world’s best inventions. How did we manage when it was only letters, delivered days and weeks later?
When I was shopping, a young man asked me where the Waterford crackers were. Since I’m not from Spokane and don’t know the store, I told him they might be in the gourmet section. He had club crackers. I told him that was definitively not what his wife wanted. He picked up some more fancier crackers keeping the club crackers. (For those of you not familiar, club crackers are thick and buttery; Waterford crackers as I remember are thin and crispy.) As I walked away, I marveled at how much food we had and how wonderful our problems are when we’re perplexed by cracker selection. I then looked around the grocery store and gave thanks for such plenty.
As I have been moving through a family situation which is likely to end with satisfactory conclusion, I have had friends and family standing beside me. A couple of my friends have advised gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for–my mother is alive, my brothers are actively involved, my friends listen and offer counsel, and my job is letting me have considerable time off and sending a thoughtful card. With the exception of Mom, everyone is healthy and whole.
The phone, texting, and the internet are the world’s best inventions. How did we manage when it was only letters, delivered days and weeks later?
When I was shopping, a young man asked me where the Waterford crackers were. Since I’m not from Spokane and don’t know the store, I told him they might be in the gourmet section. He had club crackers. I told him that was definitively not what his wife wanted. He picked up some more fancier crackers keeping the club crackers. (For those of you not familiar, club crackers are thick and buttery; Waterford crackers as I remember are thin and crispy.) As I walked away, I marveled at how much food we had and how wonderful our problems are when we’re perplexed by cracker selection. I then looked around the grocery store and gave thanks for such plenty.
As I have been moving through a family situation which is likely to end with satisfactory conclusion, I have had friends and family standing beside me. A couple of my friends have advised gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for–my mother is alive, my brothers are actively involved, my friends listen and offer counsel, and my job is letting me have considerable time off and sending a thoughtful card. With the exception of Mom, everyone is healthy and whole.
The phone, texting, and the internet are the world’s best inventions. How did we manage when it was only letters, delivered days and weeks later?
When I was shopping, a young man asked me where the Waterford crackers were. Since I’m not from Spokane and don’t know the store, I told him they might be in the gourmet section. He had club crackers. I told him that was definitively not what his wife wanted. He picked up some more fancier crackers keeping the club crackers. (For those of you not familiar, club crackers are thick and buttery; Waterford crackers as I remember are thin and crispy.) As I walked away, I marveled at how much food we had and how wonderful our problems are when we’re perplexed by cracker selection. I then looked around the grocery store and gave thanks for such plenty.
As I have been moving through a family situation which is likely to end with satisfactory conclusion, I have had friends and family standing beside me. A couple of my friends have advised gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for–my mother is alive, my brothers are actively involved, my friends listen and offer counsel, and my job is letting me have considerable time off and sending a thoughtful card. With the exception of Mom, everyone is healthy and whole.
The phone, texting, and the internet are the world’s best inventions. How did we manage when it was only letters, delivered days and weeks later?
When I was shopping, a young man asked me where the Waterford crackers were. Since I’m not from Spokane and don’t know the store, I told him they might be in the gourmet section. He had club crackers. I told him that was definitively not what his wife wanted. He picked up some more fancier crackers keeping the club crackers. (For those of you not familiar, club crackers are thick and buttery; Waterford crackers as I remember are thin and crispy.) As I walked away, I marveled at how much food we had and how wonderful our problems are when we’re perplexed by cracker selection. I then looked around the grocery store and gave thanks for such plenty.
As I have been moving through a family situation which is likely to end with satisfactory conclusion, I have had friends and family standing beside me. A couple of my friends have advised gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for–my mother is alive, my brothers are actively involved, my friends listen and offer counsel, and my job is letting me have considerable time off and sending a thoughtful card. With the exception of Mom, everyone is healthy and whole.
The phone, texting, and the internet are the world’s best inventions. How did we manage when it was only letters, delivered days and weeks later?
When I was shopping, a young man asked me where the Waterford crackers were. Since I’m not from Spokane and don’t know the store, I told him they might be in the gourmet section. He had club crackers. I told him that was definitively not what his wife wanted. He picked up some more fancier crackers keeping the club crackers. (For those of you not familiar, club crackers are thick and buttery; Waterford crackers as I remember are thin and crispy.) As I walked away, I marveled at how much food we had and how wonderful our problems are when we’re perplexed by cracker selection. I then looked around the grocery store and gave thanks for such plenty.
We do indeed live amid abundance, Shannon, don’t we? Even if we can’t afford very much, we have such choice of good and cheap. So many places have only limited, poor quality and expensive.
I’m glad your family situation is working out well. A lovely post.
We do indeed live amid abundance, Shannon, don’t we? Even if we can’t afford very much, we have such choice of good and cheap. So many places have only limited, poor quality and expensive.
I’m glad your family situation is working out well. A lovely post.
We do indeed live amid abundance, Shannon, don’t we? Even if we can’t afford very much, we have such choice of good and cheap. So many places have only limited, poor quality and expensive.
I’m glad your family situation is working out well. A lovely post.
We do indeed live amid abundance, Shannon, don’t we? Even if we can’t afford very much, we have such choice of good and cheap. So many places have only limited, poor quality and expensive.
I’m glad your family situation is working out well. A lovely post.
We do indeed live amid abundance, Shannon, don’t we? Even if we can’t afford very much, we have such choice of good and cheap. So many places have only limited, poor quality and expensive.
I’m glad your family situation is working out well. A lovely post.
Jo–
I also love Thanksgiving for its emphasis on warmth and family and friends, and the only shopping is for food. *G* I quite like your idea of the UK instituting a Thanksgiving day, and I see your point about June 21st and the long, long light.
But I think that our Thanksgiving must also connect to traditional harvest feasts, giving thanks for enough food to sustain us through the coming year. Which would explain why Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, reflecting a shorter growing season. Plus, it’s lovely to gather with warm families when it’s cold outside!
But the giving of thanks–that’s always a good thing.
Jo–
I also love Thanksgiving for its emphasis on warmth and family and friends, and the only shopping is for food. *G* I quite like your idea of the UK instituting a Thanksgiving day, and I see your point about June 21st and the long, long light.
But I think that our Thanksgiving must also connect to traditional harvest feasts, giving thanks for enough food to sustain us through the coming year. Which would explain why Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, reflecting a shorter growing season. Plus, it’s lovely to gather with warm families when it’s cold outside!
But the giving of thanks–that’s always a good thing.
Jo–
I also love Thanksgiving for its emphasis on warmth and family and friends, and the only shopping is for food. *G* I quite like your idea of the UK instituting a Thanksgiving day, and I see your point about June 21st and the long, long light.
But I think that our Thanksgiving must also connect to traditional harvest feasts, giving thanks for enough food to sustain us through the coming year. Which would explain why Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, reflecting a shorter growing season. Plus, it’s lovely to gather with warm families when it’s cold outside!
But the giving of thanks–that’s always a good thing.
Jo–
I also love Thanksgiving for its emphasis on warmth and family and friends, and the only shopping is for food. *G* I quite like your idea of the UK instituting a Thanksgiving day, and I see your point about June 21st and the long, long light.
But I think that our Thanksgiving must also connect to traditional harvest feasts, giving thanks for enough food to sustain us through the coming year. Which would explain why Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, reflecting a shorter growing season. Plus, it’s lovely to gather with warm families when it’s cold outside!
But the giving of thanks–that’s always a good thing.
Jo–
I also love Thanksgiving for its emphasis on warmth and family and friends, and the only shopping is for food. *G* I quite like your idea of the UK instituting a Thanksgiving day, and I see your point about June 21st and the long, long light.
But I think that our Thanksgiving must also connect to traditional harvest feasts, giving thanks for enough food to sustain us through the coming year. Which would explain why Canadian Thanksgiving is earlier, reflecting a shorter growing season. Plus, it’s lovely to gather with warm families when it’s cold outside!
But the giving of thanks–that’s always a good thing.
Wonderful post, Jo! I’m American, and am actually almost out the door to go have Thanksgiving dinner with one of my brothers and assorted relatives a day early. I’ll probably hit another brother tomorrow! 😉
I really laughed at the looonng memory of the Brits with regard to their history, but then remembered when I got married and moved to Northern Va. someone mentioned The Capitol. Of course I thought they meant Washington, D. C., but no, they meant Richmond, Va., former capitol of the confederacy!
I have so very many blessings to be thankful for, and one of them is this blog and the wonderful group of writers who bring so much enjoyment to my life! Thank – you all!
Wonderful post, Jo! I’m American, and am actually almost out the door to go have Thanksgiving dinner with one of my brothers and assorted relatives a day early. I’ll probably hit another brother tomorrow! 😉
I really laughed at the looonng memory of the Brits with regard to their history, but then remembered when I got married and moved to Northern Va. someone mentioned The Capitol. Of course I thought they meant Washington, D. C., but no, they meant Richmond, Va., former capitol of the confederacy!
I have so very many blessings to be thankful for, and one of them is this blog and the wonderful group of writers who bring so much enjoyment to my life! Thank – you all!
Wonderful post, Jo! I’m American, and am actually almost out the door to go have Thanksgiving dinner with one of my brothers and assorted relatives a day early. I’ll probably hit another brother tomorrow! 😉
I really laughed at the looonng memory of the Brits with regard to their history, but then remembered when I got married and moved to Northern Va. someone mentioned The Capitol. Of course I thought they meant Washington, D. C., but no, they meant Richmond, Va., former capitol of the confederacy!
I have so very many blessings to be thankful for, and one of them is this blog and the wonderful group of writers who bring so much enjoyment to my life! Thank – you all!
Wonderful post, Jo! I’m American, and am actually almost out the door to go have Thanksgiving dinner with one of my brothers and assorted relatives a day early. I’ll probably hit another brother tomorrow! 😉
I really laughed at the looonng memory of the Brits with regard to their history, but then remembered when I got married and moved to Northern Va. someone mentioned The Capitol. Of course I thought they meant Washington, D. C., but no, they meant Richmond, Va., former capitol of the confederacy!
I have so very many blessings to be thankful for, and one of them is this blog and the wonderful group of writers who bring so much enjoyment to my life! Thank – you all!
Wonderful post, Jo! I’m American, and am actually almost out the door to go have Thanksgiving dinner with one of my brothers and assorted relatives a day early. I’ll probably hit another brother tomorrow! 😉
I really laughed at the looonng memory of the Brits with regard to their history, but then remembered when I got married and moved to Northern Va. someone mentioned The Capitol. Of course I thought they meant Washington, D. C., but no, they meant Richmond, Va., former capitol of the confederacy!
I have so very many blessings to be thankful for, and one of them is this blog and the wonderful group of writers who bring so much enjoyment to my life! Thank – you all!
Good points, Mary Jo, but I don’t think many people really feel the harvest gratitude in today’s world, especially when so little food is even seasonal.
You could be right about gatherings in cold weather having particular comforts, however.
Good points, Mary Jo, but I don’t think many people really feel the harvest gratitude in today’s world, especially when so little food is even seasonal.
You could be right about gatherings in cold weather having particular comforts, however.
Good points, Mary Jo, but I don’t think many people really feel the harvest gratitude in today’s world, especially when so little food is even seasonal.
You could be right about gatherings in cold weather having particular comforts, however.
Good points, Mary Jo, but I don’t think many people really feel the harvest gratitude in today’s world, especially when so little food is even seasonal.
You could be right about gatherings in cold weather having particular comforts, however.
Good points, Mary Jo, but I don’t think many people really feel the harvest gratitude in today’s world, especially when so little food is even seasonal.
You could be right about gatherings in cold weather having particular comforts, however.
Thank you for the lovely message, Donna. Have a great time!
Thank you for the lovely message, Donna. Have a great time!
Thank you for the lovely message, Donna. Have a great time!
Thank you for the lovely message, Donna. Have a great time!
Thank you for the lovely message, Donna. Have a great time!
We don’t have anything like Thanksgiving in Australia. I would like it if we did, because I think taking time to reflect on what’s good about our lives — not perfect, just good –is a valuable exercise and a cause for celebration. I’d also like a celebration that fits all backgrounds and religions.
Unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever get one here. Any attempt to introduce “thanksgiving” would immediately be associated with the American one, with pilgrims and turkeys etc, and that wouldn’t be acceptable to most people. We have Australia Day, but that’s not celebrated by indigenous Australians (and many others) as they see it as “invasion day.” The various religious thanksgivings and harvest festivals celebrated here, all come from the northern hemisphere and come in the opposite season — eg Easter, which is a Spring festival comes in our Autumn.
I think if we tried to introduce something it would become a real bunfight. So maybe we could call it Bunfight Day. *g*
We don’t have anything like Thanksgiving in Australia. I would like it if we did, because I think taking time to reflect on what’s good about our lives — not perfect, just good –is a valuable exercise and a cause for celebration. I’d also like a celebration that fits all backgrounds and religions.
Unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever get one here. Any attempt to introduce “thanksgiving” would immediately be associated with the American one, with pilgrims and turkeys etc, and that wouldn’t be acceptable to most people. We have Australia Day, but that’s not celebrated by indigenous Australians (and many others) as they see it as “invasion day.” The various religious thanksgivings and harvest festivals celebrated here, all come from the northern hemisphere and come in the opposite season — eg Easter, which is a Spring festival comes in our Autumn.
I think if we tried to introduce something it would become a real bunfight. So maybe we could call it Bunfight Day. *g*
We don’t have anything like Thanksgiving in Australia. I would like it if we did, because I think taking time to reflect on what’s good about our lives — not perfect, just good –is a valuable exercise and a cause for celebration. I’d also like a celebration that fits all backgrounds and religions.
Unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever get one here. Any attempt to introduce “thanksgiving” would immediately be associated with the American one, with pilgrims and turkeys etc, and that wouldn’t be acceptable to most people. We have Australia Day, but that’s not celebrated by indigenous Australians (and many others) as they see it as “invasion day.” The various religious thanksgivings and harvest festivals celebrated here, all come from the northern hemisphere and come in the opposite season — eg Easter, which is a Spring festival comes in our Autumn.
I think if we tried to introduce something it would become a real bunfight. So maybe we could call it Bunfight Day. *g*
We don’t have anything like Thanksgiving in Australia. I would like it if we did, because I think taking time to reflect on what’s good about our lives — not perfect, just good –is a valuable exercise and a cause for celebration. I’d also like a celebration that fits all backgrounds and religions.
Unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever get one here. Any attempt to introduce “thanksgiving” would immediately be associated with the American one, with pilgrims and turkeys etc, and that wouldn’t be acceptable to most people. We have Australia Day, but that’s not celebrated by indigenous Australians (and many others) as they see it as “invasion day.” The various religious thanksgivings and harvest festivals celebrated here, all come from the northern hemisphere and come in the opposite season — eg Easter, which is a Spring festival comes in our Autumn.
I think if we tried to introduce something it would become a real bunfight. So maybe we could call it Bunfight Day. *g*
We don’t have anything like Thanksgiving in Australia. I would like it if we did, because I think taking time to reflect on what’s good about our lives — not perfect, just good –is a valuable exercise and a cause for celebration. I’d also like a celebration that fits all backgrounds and religions.
Unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever get one here. Any attempt to introduce “thanksgiving” would immediately be associated with the American one, with pilgrims and turkeys etc, and that wouldn’t be acceptable to most people. We have Australia Day, but that’s not celebrated by indigenous Australians (and many others) as they see it as “invasion day.” The various religious thanksgivings and harvest festivals celebrated here, all come from the northern hemisphere and come in the opposite season — eg Easter, which is a Spring festival comes in our Autumn.
I think if we tried to introduce something it would become a real bunfight. So maybe we could call it Bunfight Day. *g*
Jo,
You are so right about Thanksgiving not having religious connections these days. I have a strident atheist friend who loves Thanksgiving but despises everything that has any relation to Christmas because of the religious connection. (And as a result, she is miserable the entire month of December.) Though it is possible to argue that – at least in America – a lot of the religious part of Christmas is being pushed aside for the purely secular and commercial part… but that is a totally different conversation.
My English mother in-law has totally embraced Thanksgiving, in part because she loves any excuse for a big family dinner. She makes mini Yorkshire puddings for all the big family dinners.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving — other than the food — is that the simple existence of the holiday makes so many people stop and realize how many things we have to be grateful for.
Jo,
You are so right about Thanksgiving not having religious connections these days. I have a strident atheist friend who loves Thanksgiving but despises everything that has any relation to Christmas because of the religious connection. (And as a result, she is miserable the entire month of December.) Though it is possible to argue that – at least in America – a lot of the religious part of Christmas is being pushed aside for the purely secular and commercial part… but that is a totally different conversation.
My English mother in-law has totally embraced Thanksgiving, in part because she loves any excuse for a big family dinner. She makes mini Yorkshire puddings for all the big family dinners.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving — other than the food — is that the simple existence of the holiday makes so many people stop and realize how many things we have to be grateful for.
Jo,
You are so right about Thanksgiving not having religious connections these days. I have a strident atheist friend who loves Thanksgiving but despises everything that has any relation to Christmas because of the religious connection. (And as a result, she is miserable the entire month of December.) Though it is possible to argue that – at least in America – a lot of the religious part of Christmas is being pushed aside for the purely secular and commercial part… but that is a totally different conversation.
My English mother in-law has totally embraced Thanksgiving, in part because she loves any excuse for a big family dinner. She makes mini Yorkshire puddings for all the big family dinners.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving — other than the food — is that the simple existence of the holiday makes so many people stop and realize how many things we have to be grateful for.
Jo,
You are so right about Thanksgiving not having religious connections these days. I have a strident atheist friend who loves Thanksgiving but despises everything that has any relation to Christmas because of the religious connection. (And as a result, she is miserable the entire month of December.) Though it is possible to argue that – at least in America – a lot of the religious part of Christmas is being pushed aside for the purely secular and commercial part… but that is a totally different conversation.
My English mother in-law has totally embraced Thanksgiving, in part because she loves any excuse for a big family dinner. She makes mini Yorkshire puddings for all the big family dinners.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving — other than the food — is that the simple existence of the holiday makes so many people stop and realize how many things we have to be grateful for.
Jo,
You are so right about Thanksgiving not having religious connections these days. I have a strident atheist friend who loves Thanksgiving but despises everything that has any relation to Christmas because of the religious connection. (And as a result, she is miserable the entire month of December.) Though it is possible to argue that – at least in America – a lot of the religious part of Christmas is being pushed aside for the purely secular and commercial part… but that is a totally different conversation.
My English mother in-law has totally embraced Thanksgiving, in part because she loves any excuse for a big family dinner. She makes mini Yorkshire puddings for all the big family dinners.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving — other than the food — is that the simple existence of the holiday makes so many people stop and realize how many things we have to be grateful for.
I was just thinking about the American Thanksgiving Celebration so thank you Jo for explaining. I’m like Anne, an Australian and no we don’t have anything specific. Actually, any reason to celebrate here just seems an excuse to over indulge in Food and drink, and I mean alcohol. We have Australia Day, in the middle of January when it is hot and thirsty weather, or ANZAC Day where we celebrate a military defeat, or Christmas in July, which is self explanatory. But like Anne, Bunfight Day sounds good.
I was just thinking about the American Thanksgiving Celebration so thank you Jo for explaining. I’m like Anne, an Australian and no we don’t have anything specific. Actually, any reason to celebrate here just seems an excuse to over indulge in Food and drink, and I mean alcohol. We have Australia Day, in the middle of January when it is hot and thirsty weather, or ANZAC Day where we celebrate a military defeat, or Christmas in July, which is self explanatory. But like Anne, Bunfight Day sounds good.
I was just thinking about the American Thanksgiving Celebration so thank you Jo for explaining. I’m like Anne, an Australian and no we don’t have anything specific. Actually, any reason to celebrate here just seems an excuse to over indulge in Food and drink, and I mean alcohol. We have Australia Day, in the middle of January when it is hot and thirsty weather, or ANZAC Day where we celebrate a military defeat, or Christmas in July, which is self explanatory. But like Anne, Bunfight Day sounds good.
I was just thinking about the American Thanksgiving Celebration so thank you Jo for explaining. I’m like Anne, an Australian and no we don’t have anything specific. Actually, any reason to celebrate here just seems an excuse to over indulge in Food and drink, and I mean alcohol. We have Australia Day, in the middle of January when it is hot and thirsty weather, or ANZAC Day where we celebrate a military defeat, or Christmas in July, which is self explanatory. But like Anne, Bunfight Day sounds good.
I was just thinking about the American Thanksgiving Celebration so thank you Jo for explaining. I’m like Anne, an Australian and no we don’t have anything specific. Actually, any reason to celebrate here just seems an excuse to over indulge in Food and drink, and I mean alcohol. We have Australia Day, in the middle of January when it is hot and thirsty weather, or ANZAC Day where we celebrate a military defeat, or Christmas in July, which is self explanatory. But like Anne, Bunfight Day sounds good.