Every country has its quirks when it comes to holidays, but America takes “go big or go home” to the next level. Whether it’s shopping like crazy during Black Friday or turning neighborhoods into light-show competitions, these eight traditions could only happen in the land of the bold.
8. Baby Showers Before Birth
Americans throw parties months before a baby arrives. Friends gather to shower expectant mothers with everything from diapers to high-tech strollers. This tradition gained popularity after World War II and has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Meanwhile, in countries like China, Russia, and much of Eastern Europe, celebrating or buying baby items before birth is considered bad luck that could jinx the pregnancy.
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7. The Elaborate High School Prom
American teenagers spend $700 to $1,300 per couple on a single high school dance. Prom includes formal gowns rivaling wedding dresses, professional hair and makeup, and limousine rentals. While some countries like Australia and Canada have adopted similar dances, most of the world finds the American obsession with prom baffling. The expense, emotional investment, and cultural importance placed on a school dance seems excessive.
6. Tailgating at Sporting Events
Hours before a football game begins, Americans transform stadium parking lots into temporary cities of RVs, grills, and food spreads. Tailgating involves arriving as early as 6 a.m., setting up folding tables, firing up grills for burgers and brats, and playing lawn games with friends. Some fans even invest thousands in customized tailgating vehicles.
5. Black Friday Shopping Frenzy
Black Friday began in 1950s when the police coined the term to describe chaotic traffic and crowds of suburban shoppers flooding the city. Retailers later rebranded it as the day their books went from “red” (losses) to “black” (profits). Americans spend billions in a single day, with stores offering huge discounts to lure shoppers. While the concept has spread internationally, the American version remains uniquely intense.
4. Super Bowl Sunday as Unofficial Holiday
Over 100 million Americans treat the Super Bowl as a sacred unofficial holiday. Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day after Thanksgiving, with Americans devouring over 1 billion chicken wings. The tradition includes watching expensive commercials, betting through “Super Bowl squares” pools, rating halftime performances, and hosting watch parties with multi-course spreads.
3. Giant Parade with Massive Balloons
Every Thanksgiving morning since 1924, New York City has hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring giant character balloons and floats. The parade also includes Broadway performances and marching bands, culminating in Santa Claus’ arrival to start the Christmas season. The parade began as a marketing ploy by Macy’s department store; its scale and function as corporate-sponsored entertainment may confuse international viewers.
2. Spending Billions on Fireworks for One Night
Every Fourth of July, Americans spend around $1 billion on fireworks to celebrate independence. The tradition dates to July 4, 1777, when the first Independence Day celebration in Philadelphia featured 13 rockets that represent the original colonies. Cities compete with elaborate displays, while homeowners set off fireworks in backyards and streets.
1. The Presidential Turkey Pardon
Every Thanksgiving, the President of the United States holds a bizarre ceremony: they “pardon” a turkey from being eaten, allowing it to live out its days on a farm. The event includes the turkey receiving a formal name (often via public voting), jokes from the president, and significant media coverage. A backup turkey is also prepared in case the main turkey misbehaves.
