| The history of America's legal holiday of | | | | the streets of New York. These are numerous |
| Thanksgiving is not complete without mention of | | | | and each year brings new versions. The first of |
| the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tradition has | | | | these was Felix the Cat in 1927. No one has ever |
| this and other parades scheduled in the morning | | | | failed to be impressed by the sight of these gliding |
| while the holiday meal is being prepared. Whether | | | | past high rise buildings. The Macy's Thanksgiving |
| by design or accident, the parade distracts family | | | | Day Parade was only interrupted a few years |
| members from the kitchen where the mammoth | | | | during WWII but started up again in 1945.Macys |
| project is underway.The Macy's Thanksgiving Day | | | | was once limited to the downtown area of New |
| Parade was devised by a large department store | | | | York but now has stores in many malls |
| in New York City in 1924 as a way to kick off | | | | throughout 45 states. They were founded in 1858 |
| the Christmas shopping season which begins the | | | | and now are part of the larger federated |
| day after Thanksgiving. Christmas shopping is | | | | department stores group. They sell primarily |
| worth every bit of the effort to draw crowds | | | | clothing, jewelry, beauty products, furniture and |
| downtown. This single scant month of retailing | | | | house wares.Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's |
| pays the bills and makes the profit for the entire | | | | leading authority on selecting the best possible |
| year in many retail stores. The parade began | | | | party supplies ( using proper etiquette and |
| being carried by television in the 1950's so that it | | | | manners while also teaching organizational skills and |
| gained the national spotlight.The parade is a very | | | | fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge |
| long and elaborate one with floats, bands, and | | | | selection of free party games, coloring pages, |
| helium balloons depicting well known cartoon | | | | word find, word scramble, printable baby and |
| characters. A lot of press is given to the helium | | | | bridal shower activities. Thanksgiving Party Games |
| balloons which take a long time to make and | | | | (Thanksgiving-Party.com), holiday party planning |
| require and entire team of ground personnel | | | | tips, recipes, menus, printable activities and free |
| (called balloon wranglers) to pull with ropes through | | | | coloring pages. |