why do americans believe thanksgiving more important than christmas?
403778
There are some religions that do not celebrate Christmas, including a Christin group or two. And Christmas has been so commercialized that the true meaning escapes many who are not religious. Their thoughts are drawn away from Christ, who is the true meaning of Christmas.\n\nI have always felt sorry at Christmas time for the children of families that didn't believe in Christmas...all of the lights, the decoratins, and of course the gifts. But as Christmas is now maybe they aren't missing out on a lot after all. All that stuff is just glitter masking the true meaning.  Of course we try to keep our children's hearts turned to Christ at that time of the year, but it is hard with all of the other stuff going on.
942885
Thanksgiving is not the time or place to discuss unpleasant things which all of us as human beings are guilty of at one historical time or another. Get some perspective, people. No one is saying that untoward things did not occur, but like the accidents on the six o'clock news, it does not need to be discussed when eating a nice dinner in commemoration of the Harvest and safe passage to a new land. No the truth does not hurt, it is just that there is a time and place for everything.
986226
My mom was raised by a Presbyterian minister and she was always taught the true meaning of each holiday. We decorate our house with advent calanders and manger scenes, stars and books about the true meaning of Christmas. Despite that, my sister and I always recieved gifts and we understood that those gifts were because it was Jesus' birthday and we were celebrating. We had Santa Claus every year and we had a tree but we knew that we would go to church on Christmas Eve and we would hear the story of the baby born in a manger on that night in Bethlehem. We were even in the Christmas plays every year. Easter was never very commercialized for us because we went to church and, yes, while we still had Easter egg hunts and got Easter baskets, it was more in the fun of Spring than offensive to our beliefs. I think that these holidays are overly commericalized but all we can do is remember the real reasons we have these holidays in the first place. We can teach others about Jesus and why we truly celebrate on these days. As I'm writing this answer I can't help but thinking that maybe the holidays, which are very grown up in a theological sense, were given those little fun things that we all enjoy for the children and to bring out the children in us. As long as we never forget the true meaning to the season, we can celebrate in any way we see fit.
767252
yess christmas is not what it used to be..it is more of a commercial holiday meant for retail stores across the nation to boost their profits
405411
Easier to follow than the truth.  As you stated, Christmas is one that is a pagan holiday that has come in through tradition.  The Catholic church has adopted many traditions that the rest of the churches as a whole has also adopted as well.  One is the first day as being the day of worship.  I have seen the writings of all the major religious leaders of all the churches that state the Sabbath of the Bible is the seventh day, not the first, and that they know the Catholic church is the one that did the change and yet they follow the sunday worship anyway, the first day of the week, a pagan holiday.  The venerable day of the Sun, when the pagans worshipped the sun god and the whole world follows the pagan tradition.  Those that say they are Christians and do not follow traditions best do some studying into what they are believing.  I would offer $50,000 cash to anyone that can show me from the bible alone that Sunday, the first day of the week is sanctioned by God to be observed as His worship day.  Look it up on the net and you will find there is no command like that, it is only the tradition from the Catholic church.  Easier to follow the crowd than to lead the crowd.
868599
I am a native AMERICAN indain, we do not celebrate thanksgiving as the rest do, if you really think about it, it was the beginning of the end for our tribes and our ways, for they seen us as heathens and they wanted our land, hook or crook, the justified there means. AS with christmas, its turned into such a shallow price spending spree, we know GOD"S son was not born on dec 25th, the time line does not match up, Think it would make them sad and very much does, as we should have him in our hearts every single day, and not put on a show
1134731
Because americans realize the truth, which is that people suck and that it's best to have them far, far away from you.\n\nI mean, it's bad enough that we have to see our grandparents and uncles and such on christmas and thanksgiving, now you want us to see them all year round?  Please, for the love of god, no.
12170
Well, if you're talking about the vast majority of people that don'tattend achurch service on Christmas, there are a variety of reasons for that, each pertinent to the people themselves. Some people would rather spend time with family, others choose not to allign themselves with the Christian religion, others choose not to align themselves with a church. You could also simply mean why is it so hard to get to Church on Christmas, that's because church attenmdance in the U.S. is highest on Christmas and Easter.
754887
I'm not American either, but I'll explain anyways.\nThanks giving is the day that the Americans give thanks.\nIt dates back from the time the first English people (or the pilgrims) who came to America on the 'Mayflower' and got on land on Plymouth. Those pilgrims were having problems to survive, due to the irregular harsh weather and were dying.\nThey met with a few native americans, who helped them out and thought them how to grow harvest like corn, beans ect.\nAnd because of that, the pilgrims were grateful and in this same time, they decided to make a feast, thanking God and the native Americans for all they got.\nAnd that's Thanksgiving.\nHope that helps!!
775939
Thanksgiving is a day that we set aside here in America to give thanks to God for the bountiful blessings that He has bestowed upon us.  It is the Harvest season and we also give thanks for a abundant harvest that we have.  We give thanks for family, friends and this wonderful country that we live in. \nThe first Thanksgiving was when the Native Americans(Indians) and Pilgrims had a feast to celebrate the wonderful harvest that they had.
967076
Sweety - Are you asking a question or making a statement?  Of course it would be ideal if all the money overspent in the US (and other places) for Christmas was given to those in need both at home and abroad.  But, its not going to happen.  \n\nThe answer is, Americans spend more money for Christmas gifts than they have which is the reason the holiday has become so commercial. \n\nGBYou
941753
Do they know it's Christmas, it strikes a chord in people. Christmas, is a time of year for gluttony for many (sadly including myself) And when the idea of Christmas is mentioned alongside talk of needy people it helps reminds people of how Christmas started, & inspires people to want to help. Tis the season, it's just unfortunate people have to have a season to give and can't find a good reason to do it all year. Good luck with all that you are doing & good for you!
760065
It's about the Pilgrims and Indians celebrating the first harvest.\n\n"According to historical sources, the Pilgrims never held an autumnal Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrims did have a feast in 1621 near Plymouth, Massachusetts, after their first harvest. This is the feast people often refer to as "The First Thanksgiving." This feast was never repeated, so it can't be called the start of a tradition, nor did the colonists or Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. In fact, to these devoutly religious people, a day of thanksgiving was a day of prayer and fasting. \n\nNevertheless, the 1621 feast has become a model for the Thanksgiving celebration in the United States. More than likely, this first harvest feast was eaten outside, based on the fact that the colonists didn't have a building large enough to accommodate all the people who came. Native Americans definitely were among the invited guests, and it's possible, even probable, that turkey (roasted but not stuffed) and pumpkin in some form found their way to the table."
435171
Christ's birthday, but most people think of it as a holiday getting together with family and friends...presents....unfortunately people get so tied up with that that they miss the true meaning of Christmas =(
7496
Christmas is about the birth of CHRIST.  without Christ, there IS NO Christmas.  The holiday has gotten out of hand.  Christmas is a celebratory holiday that we celebrate BECAUSE Christ was born - it's as simple as that - no Christ, no Christmas - It is a religious holiday, not a federal, made-up holiday.
906013
I don't know. In general I don't know why anyone needs other people to do the same as they do. What difference does it make to me, my beliefs and practices whether you follow the same customs? I am me and you are you, and we don't all have to be the same. \n\nI agree my family would be better off scaling back the overconsumption of the holidays, too.
714623
For people all over to believe that Christmas is not about material things it is about love.  And being with someone you love. \n Family which can consist in many different types.