Thursday, December 10, 2009 By Ani Misirian [ArticleImageHyperLink] Advertising Let Christmas stay in December (December 10, 2009) -- I distinctly remember an instance in the first grade when, in the spirit of the season, I declared that I wished every day could be Christmas. Ten years later, I find my wish on its way to being fulfilled, and quite frankly, I am thoroughly disappointed. On November 19, the Americana at Brand greeted the holiday season with a spectacular show featuring OneRepublic, the lighting of an immense tree and fireworks that exploded into the sky. The event was magical, and I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a more ornate or smoothly run event. However, there was one small detail that hindered my full appreciation of the elaborate spectacle. The planners of the event, and the rest of Glendale for that matter, overlooked that little holiday in between called Thanksgiving. Yes, Thanksgiving. You remember, don’t you? That day when all the aunts, uncles and relatives would visit Grandma and Grandpa and eat turkey? I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t remember.  After all, with the rampant commercialization of Christmas—once a sacred holiday—it’s hard to believe that people haven’t skipped Halloween altogether as well and started putting up their Christmas wreaths in the middle of October. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised to have a trick-or-treater dressed up as a Christmas tree show up at my door next Halloween. Now, I am in no way against the Christmas season. I love the festivity, the candy canes, the fresh scent of a Douglas fir that spreads through my home and the overall good will and cheer that radiates off an otherwise hectic and rushed society. I also understand that the rampant commercialization of Christmas is necessary for a stable economy. I am, however, against turning these anticipated and beloved traditions into a commercial enterprise that attacks not at the beginning of December, but in the middle of November, during the entire week before the Thanksgiving holiday. Sure, it’s great and all that the increase in commerce contributes to the overall economic prosperity during the holiday season, but can’t manufacturers feed off holidays that are actually in season to try to raise a shopping frenzy? Why don’t we hectic and rushed Americans take a break from our rushing and worrying to sit back and slowly gulp down one holiday at a time? Instead of worrying about all the Christmas shopping needed to be done, why don’t we pay some proper respect to the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps the most important holiday in American history? Why don’t we wait for Christmas to come to us instead of so fervently chasing after it? Why don’t we leave Christmas in December, and give Thanksgiving the attention and appreciation it deserves in November?

Back to the articles list