Canadian Thanksgiving vs. American Thanksgiving: What Makes Them Different?
Every fall, families in Canada and the United States gather to share meals, gratitude, and togetherness. But did you know that the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holidays are celebrated at different times of year — and with different traditions? Whether you’re Canadian, American, or simply curious, here’s everything you need to know about what sets these two holidays apart.
When are they celebrated?
- Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Monday in October.
- American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
The earlier Canadian date reflects its roots as a harvest festival, while the American holiday is tied to the 1621 feast shared by Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
Food traditions: Same turkey, different flavors
Both holidays center around big family feasts, but there are some tasty differences:
- Canadians often serve roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie — similar to their southern neighbors — but also include regional dishes like butter tarts or Nanaimo bars.
- Americans enjoy turkey too, but with sides like sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and cornbread.
How they’re celebrated
- Canada: A long weekend often spent outdoors, giving thanks, and enjoying the fall harvest.
- United States: A bigger emphasis on parades (like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) and the start of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday.
How Canadians and Americans abroad celebrate
From London to Sydney, expats recreate Thanksgiving meals with friends, share recipes online, and often send support back home to help loved ones cover seasonal costs.
Staying connected: Send money across borders, simply and securely
Whether you’re helping family with groceries, sending a festive gift, or covering travel costs, Paysend makes it easy to send money directly to bank accounts, cards, or wallets in both Canada and the U.S. With low fees, fast delivery, and no need for the recipient to set up an account, it’s the easiest way to share gratitude across borders.
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving — wherever you celebrate
No matter which Thanksgiving you observe, the heart of the holiday is gratitude and togetherness. If you’re sending love (and support) home this season, do it the simple, secure way — with Paysend.
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If you want one app to manage everyday spending, budgeting, and travel while also handling the occasional international transfer, Revolut can be a strong fit. If your priority is sending money to someone else’s card or wallet abroad with predictable costs and minimal setup, Paysend is often the more suitable choice, because it is built specifically around international payouts rather than general personal banking. Let’s explore all the important attributes when it comes to sending money abroad.
International money transfers have changed dramatically over the past decade. Traditional banks, once the default option for sending money abroad, have increasingly been replaced by fintech platforms offering faster delivery, clearer pricing, and digital-first experiences.
Among those platforms, Paysend and Revolut are often mentioned together — but they are built for different core use cases. Choosing the best way to send money abroad depends on how you use the service and what your recipient needs.
This comparison is most relevant for people who regularly send money to someone else abroad — such as family members, dependents, or partners — rather than users mainly looking for a personal spending, travel, or budgeting app.
Revolut is widely known as a lifestyle banking app with a broad range of financial features. Paysend, by contrast, is designed as a specialized global payment network focused on international payouts. Which one fits better depends on what you actually need to do.
