Minor Snow on Thanksgiving Day

Xiaoxue or “Minor Snow,” the 20th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, falls on Thanksgiving this year, a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

The temperature begins to drop during Minor Snow, especially in the northern part of China. Minor Snow also, as the name suggests, stands for the time when it may start to snow lightly. As the weather gets colder, it is advised to stay warm and out of the plummeting temperatures. There is a big difference between the temperature indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly to help avoid catching a cold.

During Minor Snow, people from northern China like to eat hotpot, which is believed to be warm and nutritious. Moreover, sitting around a steaming hotpot with family and friends creates a warm atmosphere all on its own. In some southern provinces, people eat "Ci Ba," a dessert made from sticky rice. In the past, people used the dessert as an offering to the gods.

In China, every solar term is linked to agricultural production, so during this period, people believe “A timely snow promises a good harvest.” This saying is scientifically based. Snow can reduce the occurrence of disease in the coming year by freezing germs and bacteria in the soil. Furthermore, snow actually has a warming effect, which is conducive to the decomposition of organic matter in the ground, which in turn enhances fertility.

The traditional American holiday, Thanksgiving, is also linked to agricultural production. Thanksgiving began as a day of giving thanks for the preceding year’s harvest. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religion and culture, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.

In its beginning, there was no fixed date for Thanksgiving in America. In 1863, President Lincoln announced Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In 1941, the US Congress officially designated the fourth Thursday of November each year as "Thanksgiving Day." The date of Thanksgiving varies in different countries, for example, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada, while people in Egypt celebrate the holiday in the spring.

Much like the Chinese New Year, people reunite with their families and enjoy a hearty holiday dinner together over the Thanksgiving period, and they often have turkey and pumpkin pie for lunch. Additionally, people may go to church if they are religious. Costume parades and performances are everywhere, and schools and shops also close for the day.

The day after Thanksgiving is called “Black Friday,” a day when stores sell discounted products. In recent years, “Black Friday” has spread to other countries, with both online and offline deals sweeping the globe.

So what will you do this weekend? We recommend you get together with friends or family for a dinner of hotpot, Ci Ba and turkey, and then get online to find some bargains! Perfect!