I consider Thanksgiving the start of the holiday season, but in no way 'bigger' than Christmas. Ask anybody (or most, I would think) which holiday is their fav. They will either say Halloween (my fav) or Christmas. Thanksgiving hails the start of people putting up their Christmas decoration, the start of frantic holiday shopping, and giving thanks for all your blessings. To me, it's not a big deal, since I hate Thanksgiving food (which isn't even accurate to the first Thanksgiving anyway). It's just a holiday to get together with family and reconnect and have a good time and have a good meal. At my mom's house, we do the dinner and hang out with family members, no dressing up or anything, and maybe sing karaoke later. At MIL's house, it's the same deal, but instead of karaoke, we watch football.
Anyway, according to me, Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and about traditions. The day after Thanksgiving is the best/worst time to shop, as there are great holiday deals at stores, but lots of people who wake up at the crack of dawn and start Christmas shopping. Again, to me, Thanksgiving (or right after) is a countdown to Christmas and all the holiday festivities. Everybody has traditions within their own family, be it hanging the decorations with their children on Thanksgiving (or after), or watching football while the women cook (I know that is not PC, but that is usually how it works--my one brother deep fries his turkey; he's the only one I know who 'cooks' at Thanksgiving). Most people have turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, deviled eggs, maybe some ham. Some families go around the table saying what they give thanks for, others just talk and hang out with their family. Anyway, my longwinded ramble is...Thanksgiving is a big holiday, but no way bigger than Christmas.
Jaclyn
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