Thanksgiving. The American Holiday that has fallen to the status of nearly forgotten. Just a stepping stone between Halloween and Christmas, a peace offering from Santa, if you will. It seems Thanksgiving has become little more than a day we take off work to gorge ourselves. Anymore, it looks as if the day after Thanksgiving may be a bigger deal than the Holiday itself. In fact, it's quite possible Thanksgiving was set on a Thursday on purpose. Better to shop on a Friday.

     Though there are many of us, a rafter even, who adore Thanksgiving, for the majority it is neglected. Yes, there are those of us who find joy, not in opening gifts, but in eating so much we can neither walk nor speak afterwards. Those of us who measure happiness in mounds of mashed potatoes and forkfulls of green bean casserole. We who define autumn by pilgrim faces and construction paper turkeys.

     So, I ask, where are the decorations? That's right. Where are the brown colored Thanksgiving lights strung from everyone's banisters or the twelve foot inflatable pilgrim in the yard? Where are the corn stalks for us to hang blown glass turkey ornaments from or mittens hanging from the mantle to stuff wishbones into.

     Where are the gifts? No one goes door to door on Thanksgiving wanting neighbors to drop cans of cranberry sauce in a pillow case. A native American doesn't come down your chimney on Thanksgiving Eve and fill your cornucopia with tiny pumpkins. There aren't countdowns or balls dropping to signify dinner time or little cards given out to tell each other how much we love turkey.

     Poor poor Thanksgiving. The red headed stepchild of the Holidays. I feared I wouldn't even be able to find it listed on the categories for this hub. Luckily, I found it though. Right under superbowl Sunday. Yes, watching football and stuffing your face is often a more beloved holiday then the one where we...well, watch football and stuff our face.

     But wait!! All hope isn't lost quite yet!! Thanksgiving does have some great stuff!! A few reminders that it is a Holiday and all and not just the day before Black Friday.

     There are movies that feature Thanksgiving (ok, maybe not anything like A Thanksgiving Carol or Turkey Vacation) and songs, too!

     There are a few, perhaps a growing number, of ways to decorate for the fall feast including signs for the door and little turkeys (yes I'm serious) to sit on the mantle.

     And, believe it or not, there are even chocolate turkeys. Yes, I said CHOCOLATE turkeys. As in chocolate shaped like a turkey! What could be better than that?!?

     So, when you sit down with your family this year on a chilly Thursday in November, remember to be thankful for the many wonderful things about Thanksgiving. It's not just about the food, you know ;)