CONFUSION: People are celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving.
By Mikayla Halstead, Staff Writer
A bundle of confusion has been put on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s like nobody celebrates Thanksgiving anymore. In the beginning of November, instead of hearing and seeing Thanksgiving festivities, people hear Christmas music playing on radios and see Christmas decorations being sold in stores. Thanksgiving is about having a big dinner and giving thanks with families. For religious folks, Christmas is traditionally about celebrating the birth of Christ but for non – believers, Christmas is about celebrating the day that Santa Claus comes to drop off presents for all the good children around the world. Also, Thanksgiving is a fall holiday and Christmas is a winter holiday meaning that Christmas should be celebrated in the winter and Thanksgiving should be celebrated in the fall.
Many people have different explanations for why this happens; but people believe that people celebrate Christmas early because they don’t believe Thanksgiving is important. “I believe Thanksgiving is often forgotten or overlooked” says Kasey Kleveno (11) and PJ Raymundo (11). Maybe Thanksgiving is “forgotten” or “overlooked” because people don’t enjoy Thanksgiving as much as Christmas. During Christmas, people receive rather than give but it’s important to give rather than to receive. Because presents are not given on Thanksgiving, people don’t enjoy it as much.
Another reason why people celebrate Christmas early is because of the economy. “They capitalize on it, they want more money.” says Mrs. Dubission, US history teacher. Stores crave the money they need to keep their business alive and running. Since people love Christmas music, this also goes for the Christmas songs on the radio. The more songs played, the more they make money off of you.
Lastly, people enjoy the way Christmas looks better than Thanksgiving. “I buy my Christmas supplies right after Halloween just so I can look at the lights for a few months instead of a month or week.” Said Mrs. Ybarra, Poly High aide. Looking at the pretty lights trigger the dopamine in your brain. This causes people to like what they are seeing and can bring feelings of happiness. Looking at the Christmas lights also makes us more alert or aware.
Overall, Christmas may be exciting because of the lights and presents, but Thanksgiving is still important because of time spent with family and one’s ability to give thanks to people all over the world. Also, it’s important to enjoy the turkey and marshmallow yams on Thanksgiving day. Therefore, Christmas and Thanksgiving are equally important and should not be “forgotten.”