A Hamtastic Holiday Tradition

It’s holiday ham tradition time at Anderson Shumaker! Each year we happily gift our hardworking employees tasty holiday dinners. For Thanksgiving, we gave turkeys; for Christmas, we’re giving smoked hams. Most importantly, it’s all super delicious!

Did you know that only 12% of American businesses continue this holiday tradition today? Gifting these seasonal dinners used to be a wide-spread American practice. Certainly, Anderson Shumaker is proud to continue this tradition. Above all, we’re proud to recognize our employees efforts and contributions.

What’s the Story Behind the Holiday Ham Tradition?

Firstly, it didn’t start as a ham; it actually started as a goose. Gifting holiday dinners began around 1843 in England. This charitable tradition started due to an unlikely holiday hero: Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge. The idea is credited to the famous ending of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, when the reformed Mr. Scrooge buys a Christmas goose for the Cratchit family. Moved by the fictional character’s holiday spirit, English business owners started giving holiday dinners to celebrate their hardworking employees too.

Across the pond, America was not only a booming in manufacturing, but it was booming in immigration. American employers were quick to adopt this English tradition. However, American companies gave turkeys instead of geese, as turkeys were a very abundant in America. Moreover, employers gave not only from generosity, but to also welcome newly immigrated workers to the very American Thanksgiving holiday, which was officially established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. This spirit of American holiday giving continued into Christmas, when many businesses gifted holiday hams as well.

While this holiday tradition is waning, Anderson Shumaker continues to honors both history and our amazing workforce. Honestly, as I write this, I’m already drooling over all the sandwiches, soups, and leftovers my holiday ham will become. Happy holiday dinners to all!