By Kim Moreau
Most Thanksgiving math is about counting the minutes until dinner's ready or noting the number of pumpkin pie slices that are left to be snagged (by you of course!). But here we share fun history tidbits, current turkey trivia and more surprising holiday facts to use to impress your friends-or at least make conversation with that deadly boring cousin sitting next to you at dinner.
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12 Million: Number of whole turkeys Butterball sells for Thanksgiving
They don't call it Turkey Day for nothing. During the Thanksgiving holidays, 12 million whole birds are bought by eager home chefs-and for some, that's when the panic begins. Trying to create the perfect family meal sends tensions soaring and many Americans to the phone to call Butterball's Turkey Talk-Line (1-800-BUTTERBALL), where professional home economists answer the more than 100,000 calls that pour in. For extra help, customers can text the word "TURKEY" to number 36888 to sign up for turkey text messages that include cooking tips, preparation reminders and shopping lists.
AP
3000: Number of calories eaten during an average Thanksgiving meal
Slip into sweatpants for this one: that feast you're about to eat is going to amount to some major calorie intake. According to the American Council on Exercise, the average turkey day meal sets you back about 3000 calories, or the equivalent of running at a moderate pace for four hours, swimming for five hours or walking for 30 miles. But keep in mind that's on the low end, says Dr. Cedric Bryant, ACE chief exercise physiologist. If you add in the calories from snacking throughout the day, the count can easily hit 4,500 calories.
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2,000-3,000: People used to guide balloons during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
To help keep our favorite characters under control, 2,000-3000 volunteers take to the streets, hanging on to parade celebrities like Snoopy and Shrek. To participate, you must weigh at least 120 pounds and be in good health. Each balloon requires between 50-70 handlers, but if the wind kicks up, don't worry, there is a backup security: two 800-pound utility vehicles are also attached to each inflatable.
Gregory Bull, AP
214: Average miles driven for Thanksgiving
Are we there yet? Probably not. According to the Bureau of Transportation Services, we drive over the river and through the wood an average of 214 miles for Thanksgiving. Car trips for Christmas and New Year clock in a little longer, at 275 miles.
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1939: The year the great Thanksgiving Day calendar controversy began.
Beginning in 1863, Thanksgiving was celebrated on the last Thursday of November. Until 1939 that is. Under pressure to boost spending during the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in order to kick off the holiday shopping season early. Not only did FDR catch flack from everyone from calendar makers to schools with scheduled football games, some states even rebelled against the change and celebrated on the original day. FDR held the change for two more years, but public outcry was so strong, Congress passed a law on December 26, 1941 to make Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November permanently.
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23.3: The percentage of Black Friday shoppers who arrive at stores by 5 a.m.
Clearly the early bird catches the best deal on cashmere sweaters and designer shoes. 23.3 percent of people shopping the day after Thanksgiving hit shops by 5 a.m. ready to find bargains and 57.6 percent of shoppers are cruising the sales rack before 9 a.m., according to statistics compiled by the National Retail Federation. Last year during the entire post-Thanksgiving weekend, shoppers spent 41 billion dollars.
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80: The dollars you save by flying home for Thanksgiving and not Christmas this year
Not sure when to visit the family? Thanksgiving may be the bigger bargain this year. Priceline.com, the online travel booking company, announced that based on sales from July to early October, the average Thanksgiving ticket cost flyers about $361, $80 less than the average ticket for December holiday travel. The good news is that overall for both holidays, ticket prices are down 10 percent from 2008.
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12,000: Cubic feet of helium in the Big Bird balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
To keep the often 6-story- high inflatables aloft, tens of thousands of feet of low-density helium are used. For example, it takes 12,000 cubic feet of helium to lift Big Bird who measures in at 63 feet long, 28 feet wide and 46 feet tall. In 1928, in one of the first years they filled balloons with helium, Macy's placed return address stickers on the inflatables, offering prizes to anyone who came across a balloon that had managed to float away.
Stephen Chernin, Getty Images
40 Million: Green Bean Casseroles made each year
In 1955, inspiration struck and the French's French Fried Onion Company created the recipe for the now-classic Green Bean Casserole. The retro-chic recipe combines Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, frozen cut green beans, French's French Fried Onions, milk and black pepper. Every year, approximately 40 million of these family favorites are served.
Corbis
Bagman520 11-06-2009 @ 1:27AM
To The Writers, Editors, and Publishers:
This was a very well done, amusing, instructive, and entertaining feature.
One point I would like to make, however:
"Flack" is a word used to describe a toady, or a sycophant, or a behind-kissing someone whom nobody likes. "Flak" is the word used to describe the shrapnel created from an anti-aircraft shell exploding that hits warplanes in flight. So someone under fire from the public about something is "taking flak" and not "taking flack" for it.
I see this mistake a lot. Please get this right from now on.
Thank you.
Bernie520
Seattle, WA
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tinkerbell511 11-09-2009 @ 10:03AM
I say eat em up, eat em up., and dont worry about those extra calories. This thanksgiving those calories are not going to cross my mind. This year has been a little tight, even when it comes to food. So i know this year my family and I are going to enjoy eating all that great food and that delicious desserts. Afterwards well lay back and conversate, laugh play games and watch movies, maybe even dance a little. I think thats about all the excercise well get for that day besides chumping away. I think most families who can afford to make a feast will enjoy it and not worry abou the calories, also bringing together plenty of family and friends on this day to give thanks and eat will help you cut back on the calories anyway. With all the people struggling to have a meal on Thanksgiving you kind of forget about those calories. I say try to share as much as you can with those who don't have and sit back and enjoy a great holiday meal. Dont forget to give thanks for that meal too! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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dora ann 11-08-2009 @ 8:54PM
God bless you, tinkerbell. and thanks, you just gave back my faith in humanity.
Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful, and that good things will happen to you and your family this year.
Karen Anne 11-08-2009 @ 7:36PM
Bernie! You're here! Hope you're having a great day! I replied to your post the other day, but of course have no way to know if you saw it, as aol makes articles and posting disappear on a whim. It was merely a thank you for your kind words, plus a suggestion that you ignore the negative posters that were slamming you for daring to have the nerve to politely correct their ignorance!
But it's good to see you keeping them real and trying to do a little educating along the way!
Have a great day and hope to "see" you again!
KarenAnne
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mb 11-08-2009 @ 8:16PM
Moderation, moderation, moderation. Just watch what you eat. I know that eating just about anything in moderation is okay. It comes down to knowing when to stop. It is much easier to eat just a small portion of something than to try and lose the weight from overindulging. I know what it's like to try and lose weight. I lost 47 pounds in 6 weeks using the Rapidthin diet at www.rapidthin.com. Good luck to all. Use what works for you.
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LINDA 11-08-2009 @ 8:44PM
I'VE BEEN WANTING TO SOUND OFF ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME, BUT NEVER GOT THE CHANCE. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOD, BUT EVERY YEAR MY MOM, AND I WOULD MAKE A RITUAL TO WATCH MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. WELL MOM PASSED AWAY, SO I TRIED TO WATCH IT WITH MY FAMILY, AND I GOT BORED. ALL THEY DO IS SING, AND DANCE LIKE THEIR PUTTING ON A BROADWAY PLAY INSTEAD OF BEING IN A PARADE.
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Beth 11-08-2009 @ 9:13PM
I was an obese child and have struggled with my weight for years. No matter how hard I try, I always put on a few pounds over the holidays!
It's all about portion control, making healthier choices and getting daily exercise...for both kids and adults. Over the last 3 years I lost 50 pounds by eating less, avoiding processed foods and walking for at least 20 minutes every day. I also allow myself "treats" and never let myself feel deprived. One cookie won't kill you...a box of oreos followed by a pint of ice cream on the other hand is not the best choice!
Walking is the best exercise and overall toner. My stomach is tighter, my legs and butt are more toned and I simply feel better. It does not require a gym membership, a trainer or any equipment. I wear smartsole exercise insoles http://www.smartsole.com . They are anti cellulite insoles that help you tone muscles, increase circulation and cause you to burn more calories with every step. So you are getting a work out and toning your legs and butt even when just running errands.
I read about them in Prevention mag in an article on exercise shoes and they are a fabulous way to get toned for those of us with crazy schedules. They listed the code jm10 to save 10% off.
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John F.C. Taylor 11-08-2009 @ 10:40PM
Mom's too old to cook for the family any more. That job is now my sister's. I seriously doubt there will be enough to overeat. My sister won't even cook stuffing in the bird even though we never got sick when my mom did it.
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hotrodqd 11-09-2009 @ 12:43AM
am I fat ? who cares ...do I know you ? you me ? its none of ya business anyways .....do I count calories ? hell no never did but I do eat the....so called healthy things & everything else as well .....I was always lean and I have many health problems ....so what does that say about your theory.....obeisty and health risks ? if you'll listen your brain & body will tell you what you need in your diets and help you help yourself !! food nazi's smoke nazi's .....go back to hitlers germany and mind your own .....business !!! cuz you'll live longer !!! politically correct that !
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hotrodqd 11-09-2009 @ 1:09AM
gets mom's recipe and try making your own dinner ..... I cook better than my mom or both my ex wives todays women dont want to be in the kitchen no pride all they want is to dine out !!! they dont want to work but want everything ....dont want to do chores ...want kids but dont want to sit home and raise them or want you to babysit every weekend ..while they go to moms or sleep or shop or slumming through the crack houses or trailer parks !!! lol then they want to go to school & further their career so they can leave ya later to start anew after leaving you all the debts & financial responsibilities and of course child support payments lol women !!! but men remember this .....if its somebody elses girl ....you cant do what we havent already done to her ...lol ....like your a real stud eh ? she wants your money or something new then after a while she be off ....again on another manhunt ......awww looking for her prince charming or the knight in shinning armor.......they love that flick .....pretty woman ....ya know why .....because thats every womens dream ........to be treated like the worlds best hooker ! lol ok you can slap me now !!! lol lol lol ....yes all women turn out this way eventually lol
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