While a Harris poll conducted several years ago found Christmas to be the preferred holiday across all American age groups, Thanksgiving—our uniquely American holiday—deserves consideration as the superior choice.
Unlike Christmas, Thanksgiving imposes no demands on us to purchase, perform, or present ourselves in any particular way (except perhaps for the cook preparing the meal) in an era where stress reaches us around the clock, 24/7. The holiday stands apart from the commercial frenzy that defines the Christmas season. There is no pressure to spend money we often cannot afford on expensive gifts designed to prove we are worthy spouses, parents, or friends.
Instead, we simply relax and enjoy good food with loved ones.
The Christmas versus Thanksgiving question brings to mind George Carlin’s famous comedy bit comparing football and baseball—available on You Tube if you haven’t seen it. Football mirrors warfare, whereas baseball represents a return home. In the same way, Christmas reflects our hyper-capitalist, consumer-driven, and hectic culture, while Thanksgiving offers the opposite.
According to popular history, if not historical fact, Thanksgiving traces back to the Pilgrims at the nation’s founding, well before the United States even existed as a concept. Throughout its history, it has remained a secular observance of peace, free from specific religious or political meaning. It is simply an occasion to appreciate what we possess, whether abundant or scarce.
We extend our warmest wishes to all our readers for a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving.