A Season of Sparkles and Gratitude: Bonfire Night & Thanksgiving

As November 2025 draws to a close, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on a month filled with light, warmth, and a touch of seasonal magic. Two occasions in particular — Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving — have offered reminders of the simple but profound joys of community, connection, and appreciation.

Bonfire Night, celebrated on the 5th of November, is a uniquely British tradition: a nationwide celebration of a failed plot and a historical defeat. Many overseas friends find it odd that we commemorate a setback with fireworks, toffee apples, and that familiar hint of bonfire smoke in our hair — but somehow it works. Families and neighbours wrap themselves in scarves and woolly hats, gather around glowing fires, and watch fireworks dance across crisp autumn skies. Amid the warmth and laughter, the night reminds us why shared moments matter.

A few weeks later, our friends across the Atlantic celebrate Thanksgiving, an American tradition built on gratitude and togetherness. Even for those who don’t mark it formally, its message is universal: pause, look around, and appreciate the people and experiences that make life brighter. This year, we’re especially thankful for our colleagues, students, and everyone in our wider community whose energy, dedication, and creativity make each day meaningful…and so much fun!

Together, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving bookend November with sparkle and substance. One invites us to gather around the glow of a fire — celebrating history in true British style — the other to gather around a shared sense of appreciation and food. Both encourage us to slow down, celebrate our connections, and carry warmth and gratitude into the weeks ahead.

Here’s to the people who make our work and our community shine — and to the little sparks, literal and figurative, that brighten our lives.