What happened to Thanksgiving?

I’m in trouble. I believe I’ve lost time. I went to bed on Halloween and when I woke up November 1st, it was already Christmas. Everywhere I turned witches, bats, ghosts and goblins had morphed into Santas, snowmen, twinkling lights and tinsel.

What happened to Thanksgiving?

Did I pull a Robert Louis Stevenson and miss the entire month of November? I’ve always thought that traveling in a time machine would be pretty cool, but I’d hoped that when I did I’d wake up with fewer wrinkles, lots more money, and a pair of perkier – well, you get my point. What I didn’t want to happen was to skip directly from scavenging the good candy from the bottom of the Halloween bowl to facing cranky shoppers and more credit card debt.

It’s a mystery to me where Thanksgiving has gone. I know it used to be the holiday directly before Christmas and I know that to many Thanksgiving was simply a full day of rest before the mad rush to Toys R Us or Mayfair Mall, but to me Thanksgiving was the holiday that defined what it meant to be an American. I loved everything about Thanksgiving, with the exception of pumpkin pie. In my opinion, the pumpkin as a dessert has got to be the most overrated culinary con since Rachel Ray. A pumpkin can be a ride to the ball or a scary lantern, but it is not a sweet treat at the end of one of the best meals of the year.

Growing up in Scotland, Thanksgiving didn’t exist as a national holiday. Why would it? When the Pilgrims packed their stuffing recipes with their Puritan ideals and set sail, we British said “cheerio and behave yourselves.”  
In Scotland, we do have all the other biggies, though. We have Valentine’s Day, Easter, Bank holidays, our own versions of Memorial and Labor Days, and, of course, Christmas, which begins in December and encompasses a few of weeks of frenzied family gatherings, parties and pantomimes, all culminating in the biggest celebration of the season, New Year’s Eve, or Hogmanay as it’s called.  In some parts of Scotland, Hogmanay celebrations can make Mardi Gras blush.

Consequently, when my family immigrated to America in 1976, we embraced all things American. Our first Thanksgiving was our chance to celebrate a holiday that only Americans celebrated.  To us Thanksgiving was a quintessentially American tradition, borne out of the nation’s peculiar past, albeit a messy and not nearly as romantic as we’d like to remember past, but unique nonetheless.  My family wanted to embrace all of it, families and friends gathering to celebrate nothing more than each other, rejoicing that all have survived another year, no matter how battered or brilliant, no matter how tremendous or trying. At Thanksgiving none of that mattered.

In those first few years when we seemed so far from home, Thanksgiving gave us a chance to think about all the reasons we’d come to America in the first place. It seemed to me then as an outsider and it still does now after thirty years that Thanksgiving is the one holiday that we all truly share. No matter where we live, what we look like, or what we believe, on Thanksgiving we all share a meal together. Thanksgiving gives us all permission to pause and nourish ourselves.

So I’m troubled about what has happened to Thanksgiving, and I really hope we can find it again. Until then I have to tell you I will not be dragged into the department store holiday sales, I refuse to recognize the presence of decorations, and I certainly will not listen to radio stations prematurely pandering the season.

During December, I’ll give and receive with the best of them, but not right now. It’s not that time yet.

Cheers,

Carole

Comments

[Gillianne]

I am so glad I am not the only one who feels that way! I remember when I was a kid, the Christmas decorations didn't come out until the day after Thanksgiving. They were out before Halloween this year, in the grocery store I shop at. I actually had trouble buying Halloween candy this year, because it was replaced with Christmas candy so early. I love Christmas, and Christmas decorations...but not in mid-October!

I'm going to have to disagree on the pumpkin pie though, I look forward to that every year. ;)

[Elizabeth Ann]

When I was younger, my mother, grandmother, and some family friends (read- surrogate aunts) would trek out on Black Friday to begin the Christmas shopping, but thoughts of that great holiday were not allowed to begin until after the turkey was eaten, the bellies were stuffed, and the good china had been washed and put away. But somewhere in my teens, Christmas started happening earlier and earlier and it does nothing but make me depressed... Thanksgiving is about a time with family and friends, and if we forget about it in favor of crass commercialism or adding the next must-have to our collection, what do we have to be thankful for.

I'm a substance abuse counselor in a men's prison and we are making a huge deal with them about this holiday and the importance of being with friends (they've been with this group of inmates for a while and have developed supportive bonds) and being thankful for the positives in their lives. We put a ban on any Christmas thinking until after the weekend so that they have this time and that as separate events/occasions. I try very hard to keep that true for myself as well.

And I'm afraid I ranted... apologies. But i do second the dislike for pumpkin pie... bring on the apple!

[Elizabeth's mom]

Give me the turkey, the pie and the friends and family! I resent the decorations for Christmas going up so early...earlier every year but when I complained I was told the shoppers demanded it. (I've never met any real person who did!)
My mom got up at 6 am to get the turkey in, cooked everything and still loved every minute...because after the meal was on the table we talked and remembered and sat there for hours (or so it seemed). Her payment for all that work was precious time with family...all of us safe and full and content. Daddy enforced a strict rule...no Christmas music until after the dishes were done and no reading of the "wish book" from Sears, either.
I've never lived close to family so I've made my own family....friends have been coming for 30 years. Everyone cooks, even the kids, everyone cleans up and everyone stays at the table to talk.
I'm with you...I want Thanksgiving back! I go on strike every year..no shopping for Christmas between Halloween and "Black Friday". It's not much but it's all I can do.
And I like pumpkin pie...mince, too!

[Kath]

Here in the UK, the Christmas decorations went into some shops the same time as the Halloween goodies !
In one shop i saw them on sale in AUGUST ^.^ I understand that Christmas to businesses has to start a bit earlier but that's just taking the fun out of it.
Back when i was *cough* younger *cough* and in school we always had the Harvest Festival. All the school children would each take to school a tin of something or a piece of fruit, which would then be sorted out into little hampers and taken around to the old people's homes in the local area. I'm ashamed to say i can't remember the date of it but i'm sure it used to be just before Halloween, or just after, beacuse when delivering the hampers it was quite chilly.
Christmas comes far too early these days for my liking, too many people pushing and shoving there way around the shops to buy that certain present first before it sells out !!
When i was younger our decorations in the house never saw light of day until the week before Christmas and still don't.
And for the record, pumpkin pie AND mince pies, a big EWWW to both !!

Kath
xx

[Caron]

I agree the meaning and the fun of all these events has gone these days. In the UK I guarantee when the shops open on 27th December they'll have the Easter eggs out ready for mid April! By the time I decide to buy for Easter (March or early April) it feels like I'm caving in. I used to enjoy the build up now it feels like if you can't beat them join them :(

Thanksgiving has always been a huge thing in America and so it should be. On a visit to New York in 2000 I saw the weeks of preparation going into the parade, its a shame if it gets lost in commercialism.

But to all you guys stateside I'd like to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving ;)

[Carole E. Barrowman]

My sister-in-law is hosting Thanksgiving in Minnesota for 33 Caseys (my husband's family), which is great for us because since we travel five hours to get here our responsibility is to supply the wine for dinner. Half the Casey siblings have children who come home from university for the holidays and since they've all grown up together, it's fun to listen to them catch up with each other like a bunch of old folks. It's my new favorite part of the holiday.

Oh, and this is an apology free zone. Rant away.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[Kath]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, hope you have a great time with all the Casey clan :)

Apology free zone to rant ?? I'd better not you'll never shut me up !!

Have a good time
Kath
xx

[Elizabeth Ann]

my mother and i let down the law (in a lovely and polite way, of course) this morning when we reminded our guest that no Christmas films were allowed until AFTER the dinner.

and really, if you want me to rant about commercialism killing the meanings of holidays, i will, but i'll wait until after the turkey has been eaten and i've enjoyed the spirit as it is in my home.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. :)

[Nicole]

Thank you, Thank you for stating this. A radio station in Philly flipped the switch to all Christmas music at 10pm on HALLOWEEN.

I refuse to listen to that station.

It's crazy to think that we seem to forget all about Thanksgiving.

I too hope we find it soon.

[Laurie]

Andy Rooney had a similar commentary on 60 Minutes last week.

I couldn't agree more...

Thanksgiving has become like a stepchild...and it's truly sad....

[Andrea Chavez]

I was thinking about this too the other day as I stood in the kitchen contemplating how many potatoes were going to be needed for our annual "riced potato feast." What is my favorite holiday? I don't think I've ever really had one. They all come with a little baggage. But now I think it might just be Thanksgiving.

That realization is a little odd since it was at Thanksgiving when my Mother got ill and it became her last major holiday at home. But in five years, the day has crept back from a place of inconsolable sorrow, anger, grief, to one of happiness and joy again. (Time may not heal the wound, but it can be a good salve.)

Thanksgiving is just a day to be together,hang out, eat too much, laugh too much (no, that's not possible!) enjoy my niece and nephew, brothers and their wives and Dad, play with the dogs, go for a long walk--if physical able to move-- after The Meal. How can all that not be great?

Thanksgiving holds no disappointment of presents not received, childhood memories lost, the magic of the season not living up to its PR.

Let's fight for Thanksgiving! Let's not skip over it in mad consumer rush to Christmas. Christmas has at least 12 days already, let's give Thanksgiving its one!

Now this Hogamany thing...THAT sounds like a hell of a good time. I have always hated New Year's, perhaps I need a new perspective and why not a Scottish one?

Thanks, Carole, for this reflection....

Pumpkin? Best pumpkin I have ever had was savory pumpkin soup made on a camp stove in the middle of the Serengti. Surreal and ...dare I say it? Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! HAHAHAHA

Andrea

[Courtney]

Couldn't agree more about what's happened to Thanksgiving. Another reason it's special to me is that my sole remaining grandparent's birthday is close to, if not on Thanksgiving (depending on the year). This year, it was the day after. Seeing the Christmas decorations out for sale before Halloween is appalling. What's even more sad is that while I was in and out helping with dinner and prepping the house, 'Miracle on 34th Street' was playing on TV.

I refuse to listen to any sort of Holiday music for at least another week, and it's already December!

Thanksgiving used to be about celebrating family, friends, and all that we have to be thankful for. Now, it's all about sales, and being another day people get off from work and school. I don't know if I'll ever take part in a Black Friday sale. Stores are a nuthouse, and people are getting hurt, if not killed as a result of the mayhem. Not worth it, no matter how great a deal to be had.

[Katie]

I know what you mean about Thanksgiving just flying by. I honestly can't remember what happened on Thanksgiving in my family! It feels like I slept right through it and now it's four days 'til Christmas. *sigh* Time sure does fly.

[Jenny]

And in a move that really really annoys me, my local supermarket now has an Easter egg display!!!!

[Suz]

Have to say your little bro is excellent as Robin. Its been good other members of the Barrowman Clan. Have you managed to see it yet?

[Kimberly]

I read this post in November but didn't have a chance to reply. Firstly, THANK YOU! I completely agree that the switch from Halloween to Christmas is too much. We have a small family and living close by, we see each other all the time. That still does not diminish our enjoyment of the 'family' holidays.

Thanksgiving has completely disappeared in most places (except everyone wants more days off work). We also have a radio station that beginning the day after Halloween begin playing Christmas music. I'm a big music person and love Christmas carols, but COME ON! I can't take two solid months of it.

Hopefully, we'll soon remember the reasons for Thanksgiving and remember to honor it rather than let it slip by.

Thanks again for being a voice of reason in these crazy times!

[Michelle]

Hi

Johns been excellent in panto - Although I gather he hasn't been a well budgie but he's been going on like a trooper

John said that Don Mcclean looked like your aunt......Naughty boy. Do you know the one he means?

Sorry to here aswell some fans haven't been polite and have over stepped the mark alot. Hope John knows we aren't all like that

[suz]

Hi

I just thought I'd say (I know its early - but may not get to the Comp'....I'm at the panto seeing your little bro)

Hope you all have a great Burns supper celebration on the 25th

[Kath]

Congrats on the TW comic strip, can't wait to read it !
Going to see Jay in panto....again....real soon. Poor guy must be exhausted, and he hasn't missed a single show. What a trouper.
Enjoy the celebrations :)

Kath