Paint Covered Kids
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Gallery
  • DIY
  • Mommy Camp
  • Freebies
  • Subscribe!
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Gallery
  • DIY
  • Mommy Camp
  • Freebies
  • Subscribe!
Paint Covered Kids

​

One Holiday at a Time: Keeping Thanksgiving Alive

11/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo Credit: "Freedom From Want" by Norman Rockwell via wikipedia
Even before October arrives, we begin to see Christmas decorations in stores. We are bombarded with radio, t.v., and print advertisements promoting sales and ideas for your Christmas decor. Stores are motivated to sell and, therefore, promote their items as soon as they can but, we don't have to buy into all their fluff. Why are we allowing ourselves to be rushed through our lives and events, constantly being pushed towards the next big holiday?

In my family, Halloween has always been a big deal. I grew up with a mom who helped us imagine our ideal costume and, aided our efforts to create the illusion of being something else for one day. We would spend days planning and making costumes by hand with random materials. The time we enjoyed together to brainstorm and craft is what I think of when I remember my childhood Halloweens. I have already started these traditions within my family and, my daughter is excitedly planning next years costumes. I know many people don't celebrate or, enjoy Halloween for various reasons including religion so, skipping it in favor of the next holiday is understandable. Why then does it seem like the next holiday is Christmas? When we went trick-or-treating there was already a house in our neighborhood that was fully lit with Christmas lights! It's as though people view Thanksgiving as a stepping stone to Christmas. One more hurdle to jump before we bring in the fat man, eggnog and presents. 
Picture
photo credit: Jo Naylor via Flickr
Picture
My husband and Son on Halloween
Let's analyze the holiday that is Thanksgiving. Historically you can tear it down and say that the pilgrims were horrible and treated the Native Americans poorly and inhumanely. While this is true, holidays do evolve and change over time. That is what happens as people grow and society evolves. We learn, we grow, we change. Even though Thanksgiving is rooted in some pretty depressing realities the general reason for gathering together is to celebrate the fact that we are here. It also serves as a reminder for how we as a society should treat people by remembering and learning from our past mistakes.

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and being with each other without the sparkly distractions of fancy decorations, presents and make believe. It's a time for us as a nation to give thanks for what we have, reflect on who we were and to appreciate what we have become. The fact that Thanksgiving doesn't come wrapped in presents with caroling and bright lights might make some people feel as though it is less important. However, I think it is one of the most important holidays BECAUSE it doesn't come with all of the distractions. 

On a scientific note, Thanksgiving can also be great for your health. There have been numerous studies showing that practicing gratefulness can improve one's happiness, overall health and well-being. According to a Wall Street Journal article, practicing gratitude can change your perspective on life and reduce your tendency towards negativity thereby warding off depression and improving your resilience when dealing with stressful or difficult times. There are even apps for practicing gratitude and reflecting on the good parts of each day.

I do want to make it clear that I am not condemning those who just can't wait to put up their tree. I'm only making a suggestion in regards to how we should live in the moment and take things as they come. You need not suffer the months of October and November without decorations. At my home, we enjoy making fall and Halloween decorations. They can be just as beautiful and fun to use as Christmas baubles. For the month of October you can fill your home with all manner of spooky and beautiful decor. When November rolls around use brightly colored fall leaves, glittery pumpkins and sparkly lights instead of garland, snow globes and tinsel. Pinterest is full of great ideas!

So, let's keep Thanksgiving alive and let it have its day. Christmas will still come, your lights will be just as sparkly and bright the day after Thanksgiving. Your tree with look just as beautiful and the presents will still arrive via sleigh. In fact, it will seem even more magical because it will only last a short time. Christmas will have its day. Let's enjoy the opportunity to just be with one another. At the end of the day your children will remember the fun times spent together more than the flashy parts of any holiday. So let's savor every moment we can have in the present including that nearly forgotten holiday called Thanksgiving.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    RSS Feed

    meet rachel

    Rachel is a mother of three, elementary Spanish teacher and part-time blogger who loves crafting, creating fun and engaging activities for her children and students and hanging with her friends and family. She blogs about what she's doing and her interests at any given time which vary. She's a little OCD and always looking for her next project. Her husband calls it, "focusing her crazy", but she just calls it fun. 

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Categories

    All
    Baby
    Beauty
    Clothing
    Crafts
    Decor
    DIY
    DIY Gifts
    Dramatic Play
    Freebies
    Free Wallpapers
    Fun With Paint
    Holiday
    Inspire
    Kids
    Kid Snacks
    Mommy Camp
    My Thoughts
    Organize
    Parenting
    Party Time
    Photography
    Science Stuff
    Sensory Play
    Silhouette
    Toddlers
    Whole 30

    Picture
    Picture
    Mom Buzz Media
Proudly powered by Weebly