It seems that every November 1st, people open up the Christmas feeling and change the tone of everything to a holiday spirit with lights getting put up, trees being bought, and festive activities starting up. Christmas is a very widely celebrated and enjoyable holiday that brings families together while giving, receiving and eating. In the midst of this, people tend to skip over the holiday with the most meaning of giving thanks and being grateful for one’s life. Thanksgiving is a holiday that is based on giving thanks and appreciating the people and things in your life. 

Thanksgiving was originated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October of 1621. The feast of the harvest lasted three days and consisted of 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims. The meaning of the feast was to thank the Native Americans for what they have done for the Pilgrims since they had been there. 

After Halloween, everyone is so excited to celebrate Christmas that they overlook Thanksgiving as a time for Black Friday sales for Christmas gifts. 

This can be shown in big stores such as Costco, Big Lots, and Walmart. The main things that they sell throughout November are Christmas decorations and Christmas themes presents. They change their websites to Christmas sales and they begin to decorate the stores with lights and Christmas specific decorations, which further puts people’s spirit into Christmas season. 

Another example of people not celebrating Thanksgiving is when big restaurants and cafes have seasonal cups and drinks. Starbucks, for example changes their cups to a bright red color, representative of the Christmas time. Danielle Huizar (10) says, “When I go to Starbucks and see the red cups I automatically get Christmas vibes and want it to be Christmas already. Then, I realize that it’s still Thanksgiving.” 

There is also a lack of Thanksgiving music that is present in Halloween, Christmas and all big holidays. Unlike Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that has virtually no songs to generate excitement and anticipation.

Even after all of this the big question still stands: why does no one value Thanksgiving as much? Perhaps Thanksgiving is not a grand season in today’s society because it only deals with giving. That would explain why Black Friday and Cyber Monday have gained more publicity than the main event. Society has given into the commercialism and only celebrate seasons that businesses can capitalize on. 

It is a common thing to see something, that does not empower taking is overlooked and overcome by things that will enlighten the ideas of taking. This leads to the entire holiday to be pushed down. 

We should also listen to the true meaning of it. It is very important to be thankful for what and who we have. It does not have to be limited to one holiday because gratitude is an important part in our lives. We should always make sure that we take the time to appreciate the people around us and what they do for us, as well as, what we are able to do in our lives because sometimes others may not have the same things and opportunities as we do.