This is something that I continue to ponder every year. Stores always have a huge section dedicated to Halloween things and then on November 1st that section (and the next 3 over) are filled with Christmas things. If your lucky you might find a tiny corner of Thanksgiving decorations as well. Then there is the Christmas music, I like it, I really do. I just don't think I need to hear it non stop every time I go into a store or coffee shop from November 1st until December 25th. It gets to be overkill.
As a Christian, the meaning of Christmas is more than presents to me, but I think to the public as a whole this message is lost. Christmas has been commercialized and after two months (or more) of toy commercials and music I just get kind of sick of it. I love Christmas for the spirit of what it truly stands for and I love that without fail all of my family is in the same state for at least a couple days. However, if I was being perfectly honest I would have to say Thanksgiving holds a tighter spot in my heart and I am sorry it gets overlooked.
I love Thanksgiving for the fact that you can't really commercialize it. Sure, it's about food but a turkey is a turkey, most people don't care what brand they buy, just that it is big enough to feed their entire family. People don't go into debt paying for Thanksgiving. If you can't afford to buy the whole feast you can usually attend a dinner where they do things potluck style. Since Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday no one argues about the meaning. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and anyone else can agree than being thankful is a good thing. Sure the meal prayer might be said to a different entity depending on who you are but that doesn't mean large groups of people can't celebrate together. There is no need to change the meaning to being about presents so the day remains about enjoying a meal and being together with loved ones.
I think if people remembered a little longer what Thanksgiving was about then maybe Christmas could also retain more of its original meaning. Only in America do we remember all we are thankful for and then the next morning run over each other at the stores trying to get the best deals on presents for the next holiday still over a month away.
So this year in the excitement of the season(s) don't forget Thanksgiving. Be safe if you do go out the day after! And just maybe in all the chaos decide what Christmas really means to you. Despite what the t.v. says a few less presents might leave your time and heart open to something more important.
