Ironically, Thanksgiving is starting to catch on in Great Britain

(Image credit: iStock)

last updated 8 January 2015

The United States is a great importer and transformer of other people's holidays — St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mardi Gras — but it looks like America is now exporting one of its own. Yes, reports "savvy shopper" Harriet Arkell in Britain's Daily Mail, Thanksgiving is becoming a thing in England.

Supermarket giant Tesco is catering to Thanksgiving buyers for the first time this year. "It's now an important holiday in both the U.S. and the UK," says Tesco buyer Haris Deane, "so we've ensured our range includes all the Thanksgiving essentials, from marshmallows with candied yams to Libby's Pumpkin Pie mix." Another chain says turkey sales in November have almost doubled from just five years ago.

The short version of why this is hilarious is that, as Jimmy Kimmel puts it, Thanksgiving is America's big annual divorce party from Britain — celebrating the escape and survival of the pilgrims. For the long version, here's British actor Gary Oldman, from last year:

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Happy Thanksgiving, Brits.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.