I blame careful marketing and the media. All during the lead up to the holidays we are inundated with television and film showing us what constitutes the 'magic' of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Similarly we are lamblasted with images in commercials about buying copius amounts of expensive presents. We are driven home the message that only an over the top holiday will be perfect and that unless we buy everyone gifts we are not good enough. Perhaps we can all thank Norman Rockwell for creating such images of what has come to constitute how an American holiday ought to be.

In reality people appreciate you for who you are not what you are. It isn't about the perfect gift or perfect turkey. I think people instead need to find the deeper meaning in whatever beliefs they have pertaining to the time of year and sharing that with those they care about.