Warner said, “The New England boy used to look forward to Thanksgiving as the great event of the year.” The day after was also always a holiday. The boy was given much work to do for many days leading up to the holiday. He might husk corn, prepare spices, pare fruit. It was a day for up to 24 kinds of pie at one dinner. For weeks afterward the family always had plenty of leftovers to finish eating. Thanksgiving Day itself was also a day of going to church for a special service. The author didn’t learn about the celebration of Christmas until he was grown.