Bagoy's Florist and Home

Bagoy's Florist and Home

Posted by Chanda Mines on October 27, 2016 | Last Updated: October 2, 2020 Welcome

Alaskan Thanksgiving Traditions

Alaska is a special place, and we have a special way of doing things. Even the great American traditions have an Alaskan spin on them, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

As the holiday approaches, Bagoy’s Florist & Home thought we would celebrate some of the unique ways that Alaskan Thanksgiving might look a little different than in the lower 48. Here our a few of our favorite Alaskan local traditions and customs for Thanksgiving.

A Spin on the Big Game:

Alaska doesn’t have a local college or NFL football team, so our live sport is basketball, which can be watched indoors! The Great Alaska Shootout, held on Thanksgiving in Anchorage, has become a great Alaskan Thanksgiving tradition for sports fans.

Traditional Alaskan Bouquet

Fall Fantasia


Fall Cornucopia

Fall Cornucopia

Berry Berry Good:

Berry-picking may be arduous, but showing off your bountiful harvest is worth it! The culinary tradition of cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving is especially meaningful when you make your own sauces and jellies out of fresh-picked Alaskan cranberries. Since Alaska doesn’t have apple or peach trees, local wild berries are shared in both traditional and creative ways.

Holiday Community Feasts:

Many villages and towns across Alaska celebrate Thanksgiving by hosting communal potlucks in which everyone brings something to share. Gathering together as a community is an age-old tradition across all of Alaska; as Natives have long-held winter gatherings to play games, tell stories, dance, and share food. Thanksgiving represents the first major holiday to gather back together as a larger community after summer vacations.

Save Room for Your Next Dinner:

Because of the fact that Alaskans enjoy so many traditional native foods, the Thanksgiving meal can include a huge variety of both westernized and Native American choices. Some villages have a traditional Alaskan meal at noon, and a turkey dinner later in the evening; while other places report that the meals are spread out over Thursday and Friday. Either way, we love the idea of sharing so much food and fun with our friends and neighbors.

Thanksgiving, no matter where or when it is celebrated, is the perfect way to express gratitude for those in your life that you love and cherish. Communal gathering or family table, the striking floral designs from Bagoy’s Florist & Home will add vivid beauty to your home and table. We love to create arrangements and bouquets that showcase the very best of Alaska – call us today and order early!