Most of us know about Thanksgiving. We have either dressed up as Native Americans or pilgrims in school play; seen the movie, “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and have most likely eaten turkey once in our lives. Well, I am here to say that the traditional Thanksgiving has been stolen.
Thanksgiving simply does not get the recognition it deserves anymore. Some would argue that it does not deserve any in the first place. That it is not a legitimate holiday. This is maybe why it has been stolen, or better yet, overshadowed by Christmas and Black Friday.
Christmas: Guilty by Association
Halloween comes along, and it has its time to shine in October. Everyone dresses up, eats candy, and goes to parties. The minute Hallow's Eve is over, Christmas music starts playing. In the middle of October, Christmas decorations are already up in almost every store. The truth is Thanksgiving does not sell — Christmas does. Thanksgiving is squeezed in between Halloween and Christmas, but it is definitely overpowered by the latter. Is this because Christmas is a day of getting instead of giving?
Black Friday: The Main Culprit
It used to be that Black Friday sales started on the night of Thanksgiving. Customers would line up and sit out all night for the late evening and early morning sales. A day of thanks was stolen by materialism.
Nowadays, just hours after celebrating Thanksgiving dinner sales are already going on. People shorten meals with their families to go out earlier or skip the meal altogether just to go shopping. Now, a day of materialism has been stolen by hours of thanksgiving.
So what's the big deal? What if Thanksgiving is no longer celebrated and fades from existence? The traditions are just traditions. We watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning and football all day long. At some point it is time to eat. The turkey is carved; the rolls are passed; pumpkin pie is devoured. Maybe Thanksgiving isn't about giving thanks at all — maybe it should be stolen.
However, there is importance of giving thanks, regardless of what day of the year it is. Thanksgiving was a holiday set up to thank God for what he did for the new settlers of America. There is always something to be thankful for, no matter what you believe. If we can come together as nation and be thankful for one day out of the year, don't you think America would be a better place? If we just aside all the turmoil for one day and decided to give thanks, would we be a happier nation? Perhaps this is why Thanksgiving must be returned.
