Erntedankfest, the “Thanksgiving Day” in Germany, is a religiously dominated celebration where the churches run the show! Both Catholics and Protestants celebrate and attend church services during this thanksgiving celebration, which falls on the first Sunday in October. Like most thanksgiving traditions, Erntedankfest is centered on giving thanks for the year’s harvest and grain. In one of the multiple church services throughout the day, giant woven baskets filled with fruits, grains, and vegetables are carried to the church, blessed, and then distributed to the poor. After more church services in the middle of the day, there are laternenumzüge (lantern parades), primarily for the children, hosted in the evenings. The celebratory food is much the same as Thanksgiving Day food consumed in America; however, the Germans have mohnstriezel, sweet bread sprinkled with poppy seed, for a delicious Erntedankfest treat!