When Cece, an American living in Australia, decided to host her first Friendsgiving, she anticipated a joyful celebration. Instead, her initial invitation sparked a cultural translation project. Her Australian husband immediately identified the problem: their local friends would have no concept of this American tradition.
The Great American Food Mystery
Cece's original potluck list required complete revision. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows became the most baffling item for Australian guests. Friends struggled to reconcile marshmallows as anything but campfire treats, not vegetable toppings served alongside turkey.
This confusion isn't unique to Australia. Sophia Chiang, hosting Thanksgiving in the U.K. for a decade, witnesses similar reactions annually. "I don't think it's something any foreigners like," she noted, adding she continues making it partly "for the shock value" as "a great American soft power play."
In France, Olivia Aréchiga faced direct questioning about why anyone would create such a dish. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Azmi Anees watched colleagues mistake the sweet potato casserole for dessert, leading to both confusion and eventual enjoyment once properly contextualized.
The Pumpkin Predicament
Pumpkin pie presented another cultural hurdle. Derek Hartman, an American in Denmark since 2017, identified the core issue: "They cannot connect their image of carved Halloween pumpkins to pumpkin pie." The popularity of pumpkin spice lattes has added yet another confusing reference point.
For expats, sourcing ingredients becomes an obsession. After attempting pumpkin pie from scratch once, Cece now relies on canned pumpkin imported from America. The couple dedicates half their suitcase to transporting these precious cylinders when returning from visits home.
Brittany Posey, hosting Thanksgiving in Germany, participated in an informal trading network among American expats where canned pumpkin became "social currency." Despite initial skepticism, most international guests eventually embrace pumpkin pie, with Cece even receiving requests from local Melbourne baristas for extra pies after tasting leftovers.
Tradition Over Taste
The turkey, Thanksgiving's supposed centerpiece, faces its own challenges. Brittany's first German Thanksgiving began with a turkey delivered still partially feathered, requiring cosmetic tweezers for preparation. Derek's Danish guests consistently question why so much effort surrounds what they consider mediocre meat.
Even when alternatives prove more popular—like when a professional chef brought duck instead of turkey—Cece insists on maintaining tradition. The strict menu matters more than practicality or preference, serving as her way of honoring roots while building community abroad.
Despite initial confusion, the spirit of Thanksgiving ultimately transcends cultural barriers. One Australian friend volunteered to make green bean casserole despite never having heard of it, then loved it enough to make it again. Olivia's French Thanksgiving now permanently includes a pear and blue cheese salad brought by a guest, demonstrating how traditions can evolve while maintaining their core meaning.
As Sophia Chiang observed about her British guests: "Now that people are adults and have to cook for themselves, they start realizing how lovely having a feast done for them is." The food might confuse initially, but the experience of gathering and sharing transcends cultural boundaries.
