Desparately Seeking Thanksgiving

As I closed up the Sunday paper this morning, I felt more than a little sad. It was filled with a kind of desparation advertising for all things Christmas. Fifty-two days before Christmas and the commercial onslaught has begun. Is there anyone else out there that remembers when Christmas lasted only a few weeks? When Thanksgiving was not something completely overshadowed by all the Christmas hoopla?

I have a couple of issues with the whole "HOLIDAY SEASON".  One is, a 2 month Christmas is just too darn long. The second is, Thanksgiving has been lost. 

When I was growing up, Christmas was about a 3 week event. People didn't moan and groan about Christmas as if it were a term paper that needed to be completed, or a large tax bill that needed to be paid on December 25th. Gifts were far more modest, as were expectations.

Christmas was much more about people coming together to share a spirit of wonderment than buying each other gift certificates.

When did we decide we needed a HOLIDAY SEASON instead of just a HOLIDAY? Did we rob ourselves in the process? Christmas today seems like a party that just lasts just way too long.

I still remember my feeling of shock the first time I a saw a decorated Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. I thought, "Why in the world do they already have their tree up?"  Now we are numb to the fact Christmas ornaments are the next aisle over from the Halloween candy.

Finally, a plea for Thanksgiving: Here is the rare holiday that has managed to escape the whole gift giving obligation. It happens during the year's most brilliant season. Decorating only requires a walk in your backyard to pick up red leaves and shiny acorns, not a trip to the drugstore for a box of plastic ornaments.

The biggest obligation for this holiday might be to cook a turkey dinner, or contribute a pumpkin pie, making it possibly the most stress free holiday of the year. And without the need to open presents, the day is purely about being together. It is about sharing food around a candlelit table, sharing stories, watching football together, and enjoying the company of those you love.

Always, Thanksgiving has ushered in the Christmas season, but it used to be only a giddy anticipation on this day, with everything shiny and bright still packed away in boxes.  Today, Christmas has been in full swing for a month and Thanksgiving weekend is spent shopping like maniacs to "beat the rush".

This year, I encourage everyone to slow down and cherish Thanksgiving. No, it isn't a season, it is just a day. You won't get any presents, but you stand to gain something better than anything that can be purchased in a mall.  Gather with your family, look around, and be thankful.

Christmas will still come, this I promise.