Less than two weeks ago, Americans celebrated a holiday that has been celebrated (officially or not) since the colonial days. Thanksgiving is a day for reflection, appreciation and food. Perhaps more emphasis is put on the food, but reflection and appreciation certainly are sure to follow a good, hearty meal.
So why is it that I helped my family put up the Christmas tree on this day? Why did I, as of November 22, already have a stack of Christmas presents either in my possession or ready to be sent via Amazon.com and eBay? Why do so many people treat Thanksgiving as a sort of pre-game for the holidays, and a kick-off for Christmas?
By Valerie Masciarelli
Editor in Chief
Less than two weeks ago, Americans celebrated a holiday that has been celebrated (officially or not) since the colonial days. Thanksgiving is a day for reflection, appreciation and food. Perhaps more emphasis is put on the food, but reflection and appreciation certainly are sure to follow a good, hearty meal.
So why is it that I helped my family put up the Christmas tree on this day? Why did I, as of November 22, already have a stack of Christmas presents either in my possession or ready to be sent via Amazon.com and eBay? Why do so many people treat Thanksgiving as a sort of pre-game for the holidays, and a kick-off for Christmas?
It might be just a hunch, but presents could have something to do with it.
“When was the last time someone got a Thanksgiving present? Christmas is so publicized about the commercial aspect of buying people gifts,” said Daniel Bernstein, associate professor of hospitality and tourism at Seton Hill University (SHU).
According to Bernstein, a majority of department stores make 50 percent of their annual business in the last quarter of the year. Those who went out to shop on Black Friday might understand this statistic the most. Deals as low as 40-50 percent off are enough incentive to push consumers out into the stores as early as 4 a.m. Friday morning.
Bernstein also pointed out that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving during the second week of October, which gives it less proximity to Christmas. Meanwhile, this year Americans celebrated Thanksgiving on the earliest possible date that a Thanksgiving can be celebrated, and yet Christmas items were on shelves as soon as the day after Halloween.
“I won’t buy stuff for Christmas, even if it’s on sale, until after Thanksgiving,” said Bernstein, who tuned in late to America’s traditions concerning Christmas.
Since he is Jewish, Bernstein spent several years not celebrating Christmas at all. He and his family now celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, but he admits his observations of the holiday season are a bit different from those who have only ever celebrated Christmas.
Doina Vlad, assistant professor of business, can offer up another perspective altogether. Her native country, Romania, does not celebrate Thanksgiving at all. Vlad said that in Romania, they do not start putting up decorations until after December has started.
“I’ve noticed that the Christmas decorations are already everywhere…before Thanksgiving. It was kind of puzzling for me. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, it is just different,” said Vlad.
Due to her background, Vlad said that – aside from the decorations – she has not noticed if Americans tend to rush Thanksgiving in favor of Christmas. To her, families still seem excited about getting together for the holiday and eating a big meal, which is absolutely true. Otherwise, we would not get school breaks, work breaks and (most) stores would not be closed.
Still, Vlad said she would not be surprised if it was happening.
“This is the market economy, and there is incentive for profits. Can you stop it? I don’t think so,” said Vlad.
From a business standpoint, the holiday season is a gold mine. Now that Thanksgiving is well out of the way, the decoration and present sales are only going to increase. On an even more local scale, the Christmas on the Hill decorations will start appearing.
“We have to be ready for the eighth, and it takes a while to get every thing up. This will give us about 10 days to have things completed,” said Darren Achtzehn, director of food service.
For an event as big as a medium-sized wedding, one might think that Christmas on the Hill decorations might have been pulled out before Thanksgiving break. Achtzehn, however, said that he does not start putting up decorations until after Thanksgiving because he “Is not in favor of rushing the season.”
It is refreshing to see that people such as Achtzehn still take the time to give Thanksgiving its due. It is good to see people such as Vlad still appreciate the traditions and values of Thanksgiving. And Bernstein sees through the commercialism to what the entire season is really all about.
“People say, ‘I had a bad Christmas, I didn’t get what I wanted.’ It shouldn’t be a bad Christmas because of that… Who are we giving to? People who are needy, or to ourselves?” said Bernstein.
Santa will always crash the turkey day parade at noon. There will always be one neighbor who has to play Clark Griswald and string the entire house with Christmas lights before Thanksgiving. Stores are not going to cease selling Christmas goods in July (or August, or September, or October, and so forth).
Rushing Thanksgiving might seem annoying to some people, but we all have to admit that nothing can be done about it. What we can do is keep the spirit of Thanksgiving – giving thanks for what is important to us and considering those less fortunate – alive year-round, whether it is Christmas, Easter or Halloween.