Celebrating Thanksgiving in the UK: Ideas and Menu

October 7, 2026

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November 2026. More UK households now celebrate it, especially with American friends or as a Friendsgiving.

Some ingredients take a little hunting, so plan your shop a week ahead.

The menu

Roast turkey or crown
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Sweet potato casserole
Pumpkin pie

UK ingredient tips

Tinned pumpkin is in larger supermarkets
Cranberry sauce is easy to find
Swap cornbread for Yorkshire puddings if you like
Order a turkey early as it's before Christmas stock

Make it fun

A gratitude jar
Potluck dishes
Autumn table decorations
Thanksgiving cards

Key things to remember

Order the turkey early.
Make pie the day before.
Ask guests to bring a dish.

Frequently asked questions

When is Thanksgiving 2026?

Thursday 26 November 2026.

What is a good example of celebrating Thanksgiving in the UK?

"Roast turkey or crown" is one of 12 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

How long should a card message be?

One to three lines suits most cards. Write the message before the name so you can start again if it goes wrong, and if you run out of room, carry on inside the back cover rather than shrinking your handwriting.

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