Artwork by Sean Mayer

Jocelyn Glembocki ‘27

REPORTER

Thanksgiving, originally celebrated for its values centered on family, has evolved significantly over the years and has certainly become more commercialized, sparking an ongoing debate about whether or not Thanksgiving is too commercialized. However, the modern traditions of a commercialized Thanksgiving still contribute to memorable holidays spent with family and friends.The original purpose of Thanksgiving was to come together and celebrate the year's harvest. The first recorded Thanksgiving Day was in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims and Native Americans sang, danced, played games, gave thanks, and enjoyed a bountiful meal.

Nowadays, on Thanksgiving, many are captivated by NFL rivalry football games and the upcoming sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Retail stores promote these sales weeks in advance, shifting the focus from traditional Thanksgiving values of community and family to getting the best deals for holiday shopping. These trends attract many shoppers, encouraging them to hunt for the best Christmas gifts at discounted prices both in-store and online.

Some argue that Thanksgiving is becoming too commercialized and point to the above traditions as proof. However, there are many benefits to these new activities. It is just as important to value the time spent with loved ones, and nothing beats the excitement of getting ready on Thanksgiving morning for a full day of family traditions, even if they are “new” traditions such as going to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade or engaging in conversation about Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Each family has their own unique traditions; for example, my grandmother and aunts havetradition where they take a nap after dinner and go out Black Friday shopping starting at midnight. It's not just about the deals; it's about quality time and family traditions, regardless of if they are or aren’t unique. Thanksgiving has certainly become more commercialized, but regardless of whether a family participates in longstanding traditions or new ones such as watching football and planning Black Friday shopping, the time spent together on Thanksgiving remains joyful and results in lasting memories.