On October 31, it’s all about thrills, chills, and candy. However, the moment it’s November, people start the Christmas frenzy. That doesn’t seem fair to the holiday in between.

Thanksgiving is heavily drowned out by the Christmas holiday, or more accurately, the Christmas season. Lights and trees are already up, stores are selling ribbons and gift wrap.

While you may see turkeys, cornucopias and other adorable fall ornaments, there are rows and rows full of Christmas decorations. They outshine the tiny set-up of Thanksgiving.

I love Christmas. I love the music and cheer and decorations. The traditions make me smile. But Thanksgiving is a completely different sentiment than Christmas. So, it’s just as important to acknowledge it.

I wore a Christmas sweater to school a couple weeks ago and multiple times did I hear “It’s only November,” and “Thanksgiving is next week, why are you wearing it now?” I defended my sweater, of course, but I understood why people were upset.

Christmas is never really described as a day but as a season. And because of that, we tend to lose sight of another traditional holiday. Thanksgiving is where you’re supposed to give thanks for having your family, for having your life the way you do. You’re celebrating a time of togetherness.

It’s a time that’s just as important as baking cookies and singing carols. And it’s “season” is so much shorter. We should embrace it more.

There is a tradition, one for the whole country, that takes place solely for Thanksgiving. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a highly anticipated event that only happens one day a year. You get to witness many artistic floats and groups. There is no such parade for Christmas.

Another tradition, a personal one, is with my dad.

For the last few years, my family has fried our turkey. It’s unconventional and time-consuming, but to me, that’s a good thing. The few hours it takes to cook and prepare is time for me to spend with my dad, helping out and talking.

Finding that kind of time with my dad is hard because my mom and I, as student and teacher, have the same schedule, while he works year round.

When Thanksgiving comes around, I look forward to cooking with my family, but especially my dad. It’s a new tradition that I love and something that feels specific to Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving isn’t something to be looked over. It offers many different memories and stories to tell. It is just as important as any other holiday and should be given much more attention than it has now.