2007: The Year Thanksgiving Died
Filed under: City Living
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
Happy Thanksgiving indeed.
Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday. I guess it was fun while it lasted. Sure, we're still technically going through the turkey-centric motions that tradition dictates, but let's face it: Thanksgiving is dead.
I know it's become old hat to bemoan the earlification of Christmas, but this year the trend must be noted. Let history show that 2007 was the year the zeitgeist officially went straight from Halloween to Christmas. (Of course, the BPP broke this story back in September.)
Like most red-blooded Americans, I let Starbucks tell me what month it is. In October we celebrated Halloween with Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I think the first few days of November were Macchiato Awareness Week. And then it was Christmas, red shirts with reindeer and everything. I heard rumors of a Turkey Pesto Cranberry Sandwich somewhere in there, but I didn't see one.
Starbucks isn't alone. The other day I went into the Gap and they're playing Christmas carols. When I asked the woman behind the counter if she could stand a full SEVEN WEEKS of "Jingle Bell Rock," she fell to the floor weeping.
I can only assume that this seemingly-inevitable development stems from the fact that there's just not enough money to be made from Thanksgiving. Where's the turkey lobby when you need them? Infighting, that's where. I found an online poll that asks readers to vote on which is better, white meat or dark meat. How can Thanksgiving carve out its own slice of the season without a unified front? You don't see the baked ham and roast goose fighting over Christmas superiority. Like decent American entrees, they know we're gluttonous enough to consume them both.
So I hope you enjoy your turkey and trimmings tomorrow. I know I will. After all, it's probably our last.
9:43 AM ET | 11-21-2007 | permalink
