Today, too many holidays have become victims of commercialization where even thinking about the once special occasion makes one feel a sense of yuletide queasiness rather than merriness. However, Thanksgiving thankfully has not yet come to be conquered by corporate America.
Some people feel the lack of attention given to Thanksgiving is a curse, when it is actually a great blessing in disguise. After all, unlike Christmas that often needs an entire day devoted to over working customer service and retail employees just so families can kill each other over the latest “deals”, Thanksgiving is a day with a more natural appreciation. Once the craziness of midterm season is over, being able to sit and gather around the table with family and dear friends reflecting on what makes our lives worthwhile is a gift greater than any material item.
While that may seem like an attack on anyone who cherishes the merry season, it’s not. It’s simply a statement of fact. During the Christmas season, I often find myself making sure I got everyone that one gift they wanted, while in Thanksgiving I tend to find more moments cherishing the time spent with loved ones rather than staying up late wrapping presents desperately like the continuation of my existence depended on it.
Granted, Thanksgiving can have its stresses. Especially coming from a divorced family, it can be difficult at times to coordinate between the two families as Thanksgiving break really is a short fragment of time compared to other breaks. Let’s also not point out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade becomes about as entertaining as watching paint dry once one reaches the age of eight.
For the most part though, Thanksgiving allows for the achievement of family unity more than any other holiday, at least in my case. Even though it’s a short span of time, my sister from Philadelphia, myself, my Grandma and my mom and family friends are able to come together. Then, my sister and I go through the same exact cycle with my dad.
Christmas can achieve unity, but it feels more like a hassle rather than a special occasion as one’s love for family on this day is symbolized through how expensive a certain present bought for someone was. If a person lives on a budget, this can become a time of contempt instead of content if one’s family prioritizes materialism over the more spiritual versions of wealth.
Thankfully, the humbleness of Thanksgiving appears to be alive and well, and it looks like that’s not changing anytime soon. Here’s hoping we all have one heck of a feast and take the time to contemplate what really matters in life.
