T is the season for snowfall and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Actually, that part of the season has not yet dawned upon us. So why do stores skip from Halloween merchandise to Christmas décor? Sure, there is the occasional turkey centerpiece or cornucopia, but aside from grocery stores' laying out Thanksgiving goodies and farms' displaying their finest birds, Thanksgiving passes without much ado.
Stores may forget the holiday, but consumers should not. Thanksgiving is a rare non-denominational holiday that allows people to consume copious amounts of food while being forced to mingle with that estranged aunt that everyone always gossips about. However, Thanksgiving should be so much more than that. There may be more value to Thanksgiving than people realize - it isn't just about stuffing your face and passing out because of a tryptophan overdose.
The holiday was first celebrated in 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Fla., and has been celebrated in new and better ways until the present day. It is the one holiday where people are required to spend a certain amount of time with family or friends and there are few, if any, superficial, pricey gifts associated with the holiday. It is a holiday about appreciating the people in your life, not just an escape from schoolwork for a week.
College students could actually get a lot out of hearing family stories, regardless of the frustration of 12 cousins staying in a four-bedroom house. I have learned some very interesting family stories and life lessons while sitting around the Thanksgiving table. Dinnertime conversation is underrated. People should talk about politics, the economy or the environment with members of their family that they don't usually hear from. It is always good to have an open mind, especially in college. Thanksgiving is a perfect time to gain a new perspective.
Thanksgiving could also benefit people in ways that may seem ironic. According to The New York Times, the local food trend that was prevalent this summer is becoming even more popular around Thanksgiving. Many farmers' markets in Connecticut are now offering more food variety later into the season to meet the demand. All of that fresh food is a nice alternative to store bought side dishes with additives and ingredients that are difficult for even the most eloquent to pronounce.
Buying local food also helps small food businesses in your city or town thrive. The majority of people venture to Big Y or Stop and Shop to pick out their turkey that has been packaged and refrigerated for weeks rather than choose a fresh bird from a farm like Gozzi's in Guilford. While some may find it difficult to see live turkeys before they eat their cooked ones, they can still support local farmers' markets by purchasing vegetables for side dishes and decorations like Indian corn for their dinner table.
Thanksgiving could help the economy and the environment while bringing families together. The holiday truly is a celebration of harvest and many Connecticut locals are celebrating appropriately by buying local products. Even if department stores choose to overlook this holiday in favor of playing Christmas music on Nov. 1, everyone else should take notice of it. You don't necessarily need to get sappy and hold hands around the table while saying what and whom you are thankful for to enjoy the true spirit of the holiday. You can simply enjoy fresh food and good company, while making sure to appreciate it. Not everybody is graced with abundant food and family for this holiday. No matter how, where or with whom you celebrate it, value the holiday and what it represents. Everyone has something and someone to be grateful for.
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