Ode to an underrated holiday

This editorial is dedicated to you, Thanksgiving.

For far too long, you have been the redheaded stepchild of the holiday season. You get one measly aisle at Wal-Mart—directly behind the 50 aisles dedicated to your older, better looking, more popular sibling, Christmas.

Even your weird, gothic cousin, Halloween, gets more love in its clearance aisle—and all that section has are leftover, half-torn packages of vampire makeup and crumpled, velvet witch hats.

You were once a day of gratitude. Remember when the pilgrims and Indians gathered for you (although you hadn't gone all official yet)? Two completely separate groups of people put their differences aside and shared a meal—just for you. Although, at that point, the pilgrims were probably just thankful for surviving the Mayflower.

But look what you've been reduced to now. You're just another excuse for most people to fatten up before winter hibernation. Tubby won't talk about you anymore; he's too busy admiring the towering pine tree he assembled—in September.

Can Christmas-happy grandmothers max out their credit cards year-round and spoil their ankle-biting grandchildren for you, Thanksgiving? Apparently not. Where's the joy in buying a bird once at Kroger? Turkey doesn't equal love. You can't wrap a turkey in festive, shiny paper and expect a child to appreciate that.

Your taste in music is rather limited too. How many Thanksgiving songs are there? No one "rocks around" the dinner table. And there certainly aren't people who "dream" of white…stuffing.

Let's just recognize you for what you truly are: Black Friday Eve.

There, there, my dear Thanksgiving. Don't cry. Look at you—you've got way more going for you than the other holidays. You are worth so much more than all of the Macy's parade floats, football games and over-the-top gorge-a-thons combined.

You are a holiday with a message that's been skewed because of commercialism. That's not your fault. And besides, there are those of us out there who still use the break you've provided to unite with our families and reflect on our good health, our wonderful friends and anything else we've taken for granted 364 days a year.

Sure, Christmas has all the pizzazz; it has the catchy tunes, the presents, the jolly old guy in the red sweat suit…and Jesus…

But you keep it simple. Who needs all those bells and whistles? Not you, champ.

So be proud, Thanksgiving. Christmas may be all the rage, but you are the trendsetter.