My Favorite Holiday: from Christmas to Thanksgiving

Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year, with snow on the ground, a roaring fire in the living room, and twinkling lights everywhere. I used to enjoy Christmas as a kid. Toys and snacks kept me in a trance for nearly a week. I was a regular youngster who spent every holiday wondering, 'What am I going to get?' 'Who brought me gifts?' I didn't know the genuine significance of holidays until I was seventeen years old, other than receiving things. As I've begun to see less of my family and more of my coworkers, I've realized that the true meaning of the holidays, in general, is to spend time with those we love. This essay about 'My favorite holiday' would have to be about Thanksgiving, which has earned the title of favorite holiday in my opinion due to its focus on spending time with family and being grateful, unlike Christmas which has become an expensive and materialistic holiday that has strayed from its Christian roots.

My opinion of the 'greatest holiday of the year' has shifted from Christmas to Thanksgiving, thanks to my acquired wisdom. Because my focus on what's important has matured, my perspectives, especially my favorite holiday, have shifted. Christmas is a child's favorite holiday because of one thing: presents. We live in a world where materialistic values trump practically all other considerations. We'd go to virtually any length to get our hands on the latest iPhone, and we have an annual 'purchase everything you can' day, also known as Black Friday. Unfortunately, Christmas has strayed from its Christian roots and has become the most expensive holiday of the year.

Even though I am trashing Christmas, I do adore the snow and the decorations; who doesn't? The snow sets the scene for Santa, while the decorations add to the festive atmosphere. Almost every roof has twinkling lights that dance in the harsh winter winds. The weather and atmosphere of Christmas could not be more appropriate for the occasion; the cold keeps us indoors and makes the fire all the more inviting, while sugary delicacies and presents fill our bellies and shelves. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the holiday has waned.

I've grown up seeing how selfish our culture is at this time of year, and how we now celebrate the holiday differently than it should be. Christmas is a day to commemorate the birth of Jesus, not to show off our new camera. When I was a kid, Christmas was a great holiday; I'm sorry to have grown up and learned how selfish we can be during this 'giving' season. Oh, turkeys, football, and family! Thanksgiving has earned the title of 'favorite holiday' in my opinion. A legitimately conserved season that hasn't succumbed to (as much) commercialism as Christmas has.

Isn't Thanksgiving supposed to be a time to give thanks and remember the Pilgrims who first came to our country? Let's hope that's right because that's what I was taught in school. Looking at the objective of Thanksgiving in 2013, it appears to have remained the same. My family's traditional Thanksgiving day begins with a light breakfast ‘if any’ followed by a hearty Thanksgiving day lunch (lunch and dinner) and a snooze on the couch while watching the big game. During Thanksgiving meal, my family discusses what we're grateful for, and, because we're all history buffs, we discuss how difficult life was for the Pilgrims.

Almost every family gathers with as many relatives as they can fit in and simply enjoys their time together. Many families gather together to play backyard football, cook meals and watch TV shows. There are no gifts given or received on Thanksgiving unless Grandma and Grandpa surprise you. Excessive gift-giving does not detract from the meaning of the holiday, nor do annoying songs about kissing under the mistletoe or wishing for teeth for Christmas. I'm no longer enamored with Malibu Barbie or Justin Bieber's Christmas CD; I've triumphed over our society's materialistic sickness.

I appreciate the humbling day to bring me back to reality and tell my irrational teenage mind that I have an incredibly good life. I enjoy the downtime with my grandparents, I cherish the time I have with my siblings outside playing in the leaves, and I appreciate the humbling day to bring me back to reality and tell my irrational teenage mind that I have an incredibly good life. Because it is not overrated, you will rarely hear someone claim 'Thanksgiving is overrated.' Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that, since it isn't as well-known as Christmas, upon folks towards the end of November.

People adore Thanksgiving because it's the one holiday where wearing pajamas is OK, eating a lot, and passing out on the couch is acceptable, and spending time with family is encouraged. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because my perspective on what matters has shifted dramatically; I now value family above the iPhone 5s. Everyone should enjoy their vacations, and they should not be taken for granted. Many things change between the ages of seven and seventeen, including, hopefully, one of the most significant shifts in our values.

Yes, Christmas and Barbie formerly had my heart, and anyone who spoke out against my treasured presents would have been considered a foe; but, it's good to know that I've grown up enough to state that all I want for Christmas is for my family to be together. I no longer take family time for granted, and I don't think I ever will again as I prepare to leave for college in less than a year. We live in such a material society, and it saddens me to watch Christmas, which is such a lovely celebration, devolve into a hungry and expensive season. Thanksgiving will remain my favorite holiday until my opinions have matured.