12 Ways Thanksgiving Looked Completely Different 100 Years Ago
Thanksgiving a century ago looked very different from today, with simpler meals, slower travel, and community traditions shaped by the time.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Life 100 years ago was marked by limited technology, homemade cooking, and strong local customs. Families celebrated the holiday with modest gatherings and traditions that reflected the pace and values of early 20th century life. Looking back at these differences reveals how much the holiday has changed.
1. 1. Travel was slower and less common
Gustave Le Gray on Wikimedia Commons
Most people stayed close to home because long trips required trains, early automobiles, or horse-drawn vehicles. Travel took planning and often meant leaving days earlier than today. Weather delays were normal since roads were rough and cars struggled in cold conditions. Many families simply walked to nearby relatives instead of traveling far.
2. 2. Meals were made almost entirely from scratch
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris on Wikimedia Commons
Holiday dishes came from gardens, local farms, and home kitchens rather than stores. Canned goods were limited, so many ingredients were peeled, chopped, or cooked by hand. Recipes were passed down through memory instead of books. The meal reflected the work of many hours instead of quick preparation.
3. 3. Turkeys were bought fresh or even live
Musatalasli on Wikimedia Commons
Families often visited local farms or markets to choose a bird for the holiday. Some brought home a live turkey and prepared it themselves. The process took time and was considered normal for the period. Buying a frozen turkey from a store was still decades away.
4. 4. Houses were heated by wood or coal
Rodhullandemu on Wikimedia Commons
Keeping the home warm required constant effort throughout the day. Wood stoves burned steadily while someone tended the fire. Guests often kept coats nearby as rooms cooled off quickly. Heat shaped the gathering in ways modern homes no longer experience.
5. 5. Decorations were homemade
Djampa on Wikimedia Commons
Families used paper garlands, hand-cut shapes, and natural items like leaves and branches. Store-bought decorations were rare and simple when they existed. Children often helped make holiday crafts at the kitchen table. Homes looked warm and personal rather than polished.
6. 6. Parades were small and local
Basher Eyre on Wikimedia Commons
Communities held modest parades with homemade floats and local marching bands. Horses often pulled wagons decorated with fabric or hay. Families gathered along simple dirt roads to watch. National broadcasts and giant balloons did not yet exist.
7. 7. Shopping was not part of the holiday
Dr Neil Clifton on Wikimedia Commons
There was no rush for early sales or long store lines. Most shops closed for the day, and people focused on meals and visits. Holiday advertising was limited and mild. The idea of a major shopping weekend came later.
8. 8. Entertainment came from music, games and reading
fir0002 on Wikimedia Commons
Families played instruments, sang songs, or read stories together. Board games and card games kept both kids and adults busy. Radios were becoming more common but still not in every home. Evenings were quiet and centered on togetherness.
9. 9. Community meals were widespread
U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katrina Heikkinen on Wikimedia Commons
Many towns hosted shared dinners in churches or halls. Neighbors brought their best dishes to long tables. These gatherings helped unite small communities. They gave families a chance to share food when resources were limited.
10. 10. Clothing was more formal
Wikimedia Commons
People dressed in their best outfits even for small gatherings. Men wore jackets or ties, and women chose dresses and aprons. Children often wore stiff shoes and Sunday clothes. The holiday meal felt like a special event.
11. 11. Food preservation shaped the menu
Enric on Wikimedia Commons
Dishes relied on what could be stored through autumn, such as root vegetables, grains, and canned fruit. Fresh produce was limited once frost arrived. The meal reflected practical choices rather than a wide variety. Holiday desserts often used ingredients saved through careful planning.
12. 12. Photos were rare and posed
Silvioldcoelho on Wikimedia Commons
Cameras were not common, so holiday pictures were taken only when someone planned ahead. Families stood in stiff poses in front of homes or tables. Smiles were mild because long exposures made holding expressions difficult. These images now feel formal compared to today’s casual snapshots.