Every year, it seems like Christmas starts earlier and earlier. Before Halloween decorations are even put away, stores are filling their shelves with Christmas trees, holiday decorations and gift sets. While there is nothing wrong with loving Christmas, Thanksgiving deserves its own time before the holiday season moves forward.
Christmas is one of the happiest times of the year. The lights, music, decorations and family traditions make it special for many people. However, starting Christmas in early November takes attention away from another holiday that deserves just as much appreciation.
Thanksgiving has slowly become the holiday people rush through on their way to Christmas. Instead of focusing on spending time with family and being thankful, many people are already thinking about Christmas shopping, decorating and making plans for December. It often feels like Thanksgiving gets overlooked because Christmas has become the bigger focus.
That is disappointing because Thanksgiving has a meaning that should not be forgotten. It is a time to slow down, appreciate the people around us and recognize the things we sometimes take for granted. With school, work and other responsibilities keeping people busy, Thanksgiving offers a reason to pause and spend time with family.
Another reason Christmas should wait until after Thanksgiving is that it makes the Christmas season feel more special. When decorations and music appear in early November, it can feel like the holiday season lasts forever. By the time December arrives, some of the excitement has already worn off. Waiting until after Thanksgiving gives people something to look forward to.
There is something special about decorating for Christmas when the time finally comes. Putting up the tree, hanging lights and listening to Christmas music are traditions many families look forward to every year. Starting those traditions after Thanksgiving gives each holiday its own place on the calendar. Instead of rushing from one celebration to another, people can enjoy each season for what it offers.
Of course, not everyone celebrates the holidays the same way. Some people love decorating early, and others have family traditions that involve putting up their Christmas tree before Thanksgiving. There is nothing wrong with that, and no one should be judged for celebrating Christmas whenever they choose.
However, there is a difference between allowing people to celebrate early and making it seem like Christmas needs to begin before Thanksgiving even arrives. Stores, advertisements and social media often encourage people to start preparing for Christmas weeks in advance. The pressure to buy gifts, decorate and plan celebrations seems to arrive earlier every year.
Sometimes, it feels like the holidays have become more about shopping and spending money than enjoying time with family. Christmas merchandise appears in stores before people have had a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving. The constant focus on the next holiday can make it easy to forget the meaning of the one happening right now.
Thanksgiving should not have to compete with Christmas for attention. People should be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without already feeling behind on their Christmas preparations. The holiday deserves more than a single day of celebration before everyone moves on to something else.
Giving Thanksgiving its proper place can also help people appreciate the entire holiday season. Halloween offers a chance to have fun and dress up, Thanksgiving encourages gratitude and Christmas brings people together through traditions and generosity. Each holiday has its own purpose, and allowing each one its own time makes the end of the year feel less rushed.
At the end of the day, I am not against Christmas. I absolutely love the Christmas season, but I believe Thanksgiving deserves its own time. Christmas can still have a full season of decorations, music and celebrations without starting at the beginning of November.
Thanksgiving deserves to be more than a holiday people celebrate before immediately switching their attention to Christmas. It deserves its own traditions, memories and appreciation. Christmas will still be there the day after Thanksgiving, so there is no reason to rush it. Before turning on the Christmas music and putting up the tree, maybe it is time to let Thanksgiving have its moment first.