Why Thanksgiving is Better Than Christmas

Why Thanksgiving is Better Than Christmas

By: Mya Bradford

A lot of people will disagree with this article but I also would if it was me last year reading this article. I usually say that Thanksgiving is “stupid” but this year I really appreciated it more than usual. It was nice to spend time with my family and have dinner with them. Yes, you do the same thing on Christmas but Christmas always just feels like it’s about getting the gifts and not actually enjoying the time with your family. As you grow up, I think you will start to see the importance of Thanksgiving if you already don’t.

The first reason why I think Thanksgiving is better is because no gifts are involved. Don’t get me wrong, I love giving and receiving gifts, but the cost of presents add up quickly and everyone makes it all about the gifts. I think if you appreciate someone, you can get them a gift whenever just not one day in a year. It puts a lot of stress on people because they don’t know what to buy each other, and this year a lot of people don’t have the money to buy gifts. People are struggling to buy food and pay their bills. Every year people are expecting gifts, but they aren’t appreciating the time with their family. You should always appreciate the people who are around the table because you don’t know if there will be a full table next year.

Another reason why I think it’s better is because you appreciate your family more. You are enjoying their presence and the food you are surrounded with. Like I said in the beginning, Christmas is focused on receiving your gifts more than enjoying quality time with your family. Family is the most important thing and they won’t be there forever. Thanksgiving is one of the only times a year my family comes together and actually spends time together instead of everyone waiting with anticipation to open their presents. It’s just like when you wake up on Christmas Eve and Christmas and you are focused on seeing what you got for Christmas, but not making memories with your family.

I can see why the other side would argue that Christmas is better because you actually have something to look forward to. There’s more to look forward to than sitting with your family at the table and being bored, but for me it’s different. I cherish the time I spend with my family. They would also have a valid point in saying that you do the same thing you do on Christmas that you do on Thanksgiving but to me it’s not the same. On Christmas you are more appreciative of the gifts than the people who buy them for you. Some people would argue that that’s not true, but in most cases it is. Another thing they would argue is that you should be thankful all year long, which I am, but this is a day when all families come together which doesn’t happen everyday for most families.

Even though I think Thanksgiving is better than Christmas I still think they are both very important holidays. Whether you agree or disagree with my statement. I hope that you start to appreciate Thanksgiving more instead of thinking it’s just another day. You should be thankful for everyone around you and the food on your plate. There will eventually be a day where a seat at the dinner table is missing and the holidays won't be the same without them. Not everyone is fortunate to celebrate holidays whether they don’t have any family or they are poor so make sure not to take advantage of it!