The leaves shrivel under the increasing chill, their vibrant green turning to an array of reds, golds, and browns. The indication is clear: it’s the holiday season. It won’t be long until trick-or-treaters will flood the streets. Soon the gloomy orange and black will quickly give way to the soft glow of Christmas lights as they light up the night, promising joy, peace, and family. It’s easy to forget that these are not the only two holidays that Americans celebrate during this season. In fact, the ever so obscure third-wheel, Thanksgiving, occurs right between Halloween and Christmas. It is because of this that I believe it often gets overlooked.
Amira Noutcha, a senior at Tuscarora, agrees with this sentiment. “I believe that Thanksgiving is an underrated holiday… After Halloween, many people are ready to jump straight into decorating and repairing for Christmas and they do not care much for Thanksgiving.” This is an observation that I have also made about the holiday recently. Every year it feels like Christmas comes earlier and Thanksgiving continues to fade into obscurity. People would rather tune into Christmas songs in early November than look forward to the upcoming holiday.
Jenna Gould, a fellow senior at Tuscarora, believes that this is only appropriate. She states, “I think Halloween is better because it has cool music and is … a lot more interesting …Christmas is also a gathering that does almost exactly what Thanksgiving does, except it has good music, gift-giving, and a lot of media centered around it.”
Regardless of the severe lack of media, songs, and gifts, I believe that this failure to remember Thanksgiving’s existence goes much deeper than its commercialization. Instead, I think that it’s the lack of practicing its message that has doomed the holiday. Although many people are aware that it is meant to be a time to be grateful for what we have and the people who love us, the practice has become overshadowed by the cliche.
“I believe that many people do not pay attention to the reason why it is celebrated and the significance of the holiday,” Noutcha suggests. The introspective tone of the day is dampened by the rush to cook food, play football, and watch a parade. The humble picture of a group of settlers and the Wampanoag tribe joined together feels far detached from the modern rendition of the celebration. Thanksgiving has been condemned to an eternal characterization of food and fellowship. While these are both wonderful things, the overemphasis on them has robbed the holiday of its more solemn message. In essence, it has become as forgotten as its message of practicing gratitude.
“I think that everyone should be living the meaning out each day because not everyone, including myself, is thankful for the small accomplishments,” Noutcha asserts. Although many rightfully enjoy the food, the traditions, the joining together of family and friends, I think we would do well remembering to be grateful for these things as well, not just on a designated day, but everyday. Thanksgiving has a special place in many people’s hearts.
As Gould says, “I wouldn’t complain about Thanksgiving because it brings my family together for one of the only times in the year.” Noutcha adds, “My favorite parts of Thanksgiving are obviously, the food, as well as the fact that people get to spend quality time with their loved ones on a special day to be thankful for everything that they have. Everyone gathering together while sharing greetings, stories, and creating memories with each other is what makes this holiday so joyful for me.”
