Thanksgiving in Mexico for expats: meeting people around a good table

01Thanksgiving away from home: what it is and how it is lived here

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November; this year, the 26th. Canada’s falls in October, so it has already passed. In Mexico it is neither an official holiday nor a day off, so people who live here usually celebrate it on Thursday evening or the following weekend, among friends, at expat group gatherings or with neighbours.

For someone living far from home, the date can bring nostalgia. For someone who wants to meet people, it is one of the best excuses of the year: everyone understands what a thanksgiving dinner is and it is easy to say yes to an invitation.

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A shared table is the best way for a new city to stop feeling foreign.

02How to find or put together a dinner

You do not need big organisation. What works best is close to home and simple.

• Ask in your groups. Expat and language-exchange groups in your city often organise last-minute dinners or “Friendsgiving”; ask which ones exist and what you are expected to bring.
• Host a potluck. Everyone brings a dish: it shares the work, lowers the cost and makes it easier for people to say yes.
• Ask at restaurants. Some restaurants offer special menus for these dates; confirm directly with them whether they do, plus hours and reservations, because there is no fixed list and we have no relationship with any of them.
• Mix traditions. A dinner with a turkey and also tamales or a local soup is interesting for guests from both sides.

If you cannot organise anything this year, a simple dinner with one or two people you already trust is also a complete celebration.

03How to invite someone: a date or a new acquaintance

A good invitation is clear, kind and leaves room to say no.

• Be specific. “I’m hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday at 8; would you like to come?” is better than “let me know if you feel like it.”
• Explain the tradition in a sentence. Many Mexican people are curious, and explaining what it is and why it matters to you is often part of the fun.
• If you are inviting someone you are getting to know, a larger gathering with other people is more comfortable than dinner for two at your place. If it is a first date, it is better to meet beforehand in a public place; you can review tips in first date in Mexico.
• Ask about allergies, preferences or schedules. It is a considerate gesture and it is appreciated.
• It is not a test of commitment. An invitation to dinner implies nothing more; anyone can accept or decline without giving a reason.

If you need help thinking about how to word a natural invitation, you can talk to Carolina, the virtual assistant (AI) of Premium Dating Mexico; she is an artificial intelligence that helps organise ideas, not decide for you.

04Mexican guests: curiosity, food and courtesy

If your guests include Mexican people, they will probably be curious and keen to contribute.

• Say what you are serving. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie may be new to some people; telling them avoids surprises.
• It is common to bring something. Many people arrive with a dessert, a drink or something to share; accepting it gladly is the kindest thing.
• Time is flexible, but say so. If a meal is at a specific time, say it clearly and add a reasonable margin.
• Avoid stereotypes. Ask rather than assume, and share your tradition gladly without imposing it.
• If Spanish is not your first language, a few words of thanks in Spanish are always welcome.

Meeting someone Mexican through a shared celebration often starts a good conversation about customs in both countries. More ideas in meeting women in Mexico: tips for foreigners.

05Hosting or visiting someone you barely know

A dinner at someone’s home is a more private setting than a restaurant. That is good for conversation, but it calls for a few precautions with people you have just met.

• Meet them first in a public place. A coffee or a lunch is enough to tell whether you feel comfortable.
• Prefer gatherings with several people. It is more comfortable for everyone and safer.
• Tell someone you trust where you will be, at what time and with whom; if you are the host, avoid sharing your address with strangers before you have met them.
• Watch your drink and your limits with alcohol; there is no need to drink out of obligation.
• Have your own transport. Arriving and returning on your own gives you the freedom to leave whenever you like.

If something does not feel right, you can politely leave without explaining. More guidance in safety and trust when meeting someone.

06If you spend it alone or with few people

Not every year produces a big dinner, and that is fine too. A call with your family, a dish that reminds you of home and a walk can be a quiet celebration.

If it weighs on you more than expected, you are not alone in that: read Christmas away from home in Mexico and loneliness and new relationships in Mexico for more ideas and for when it is wise to ask for support.