Editor's Note

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and now is primarily identified as a secular holiday.

What's the tradition of the Thanksgiving Day? How will people spend the holidays and express their thank-you? The China Daily website here wants to share the interesting things about the holiday with you, as well as some readers' stories and feelings about the day collected through micro blog .

Thanksgiving wave hits Chinese businesses

American Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Nov 24 this year, takes on an entirely different look in China, where malls and e-businesses are competing in sale promotions as the holiday approaches.

Malls and markets fixate on the word 'Thanksgiving' to dip into the pockets of their customers.

Warm outerwear and functional foods top the best sale items on many e-commerce websites as gifts for parents.

Taobao, China's biggest online shopping website, sells turkey masks for children. And Hogwarts School uniforms from Harry Potter are among the hot sellers. 

More>>

Focus on Thanksgiving Day

US President Barack Obama (R) pardons the 2011 Thanksgiving Turkey, Liberty, alongside his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia on the North Portico of the White House in Washington Nov 23, 2011.

Holiday travelers leave the subway at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport Nov 23, 2011. Airports were bracing for 23.2 million people expected to fly US carriers' domestic and international routes over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

US President Barack Obama (L), his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and first lady Michelle Obama hand out food to the needy during their Thanksgiving Eve visit to the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington Nov 23, 2011.

People walk by a "Sonic The Hedgehog" balloon as members of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade team work on the balloons as part of preparations for the 85th annual parade in New York Nov 23, 2011.

Thank you, dear...

Airubolatu: Thanks for the ones who helped you or hurt you.

Shangweihalei: Thanks to god to give me the chance, of that I'm lucky to get acquainted with you.

Ciciliya: Thanks for my company who pay my salary with which I can buy shoes, pants and glasses.

Tracy-Taoer: Thanks for my students. Their growth and thanks moved me to tears.

Yanyu-Piaoyi: Thanksgiving Day should be remembered all the time and no need to mention.

Deng Haitao Nicko: Happy Thanksgiving! No matter how busy you are, please remember to go back home and have a dinner with your families.

Vernon-Mi: Thank myself for being so brave and persistent in the past years.

Shiziruxi: Thank you for everything. The world is a better place for having you in it.

Chenhanimama: I'm fine, thanks for not asking...Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Mai Luoluo: Thanks for my family that bring me much happiness; thanks for the difficulties in my life that help me to grow up; thanks for my friends who always support me and thanks for the love that brought me a lot.

Mickeybobo: Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Treaying_Yuan Cuiying: Thank you, my parents, who give me life; thank you, my friends, who give me happiness and sadness; thank you, my teachers, who give me knowledge; thank you, everything, which gives me reason to exist.

About Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a joyous family festival celebrated with lot of enthusiasm in US, Canada and several other countries.

Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

Thanksgiving Day Festival commemorates the feast held by the Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people at Plymouth in 1621. On this day people express gratitude to God for his blessings and give thanks to dear ones for their love and support. Feasting with family is an integral and most delightful part of Thanksgiving Day celebrations.

Thanksgiving Day Symbols

Pumpkins are a Thanksgiving favorite for about 400 years

Turkey is an inseparable part of Thanksgiving celebration

Corn were a part of first thanks giving feast and are popular till date

Cranberry sauce is turkey's favorite thanksgiving feast partner

Cornucopia is a horn-shaped basket filled with fruits and goodies