Do you think holidays no longer hold any meaning?

1. 79

   davidlivermoreposted 11 years ago

   Do you think holidays no longer hold any meaning?
   
   Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the U.S., but to me and a lot of other people, it's a day off at work.  Have holidays lost their meaning?  What could help us bring back the meaning in holidays like Memorial Day?

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2. 76

   phtechposted 11 years ago

   Unfortunately I think people do think of these days more as just a day off work. I think the way to bring back the meaning of holidays is to not have so many of them. I think we get so many holidays for so many meaningless things that we get desensitized to the ones that should mean something.

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3. 70

   DrRebeccaSandersposted 11 years ago

   I do think that we have lost meaning for most of our holidays.  I'm not sure the number of holidays actually has anything to do with that decline in holiday meaning, though.  I remember when I was growing up, mom was what made the holidays.  We religiously had to go to a local town to observe the parade and attend the 21-gun salute on Memorial Day.  We always stopped off to put flowers on our ancestor's graves, too.  The other major holidays were also filled with regalia and traditions.
   I have not followed through with those traditions except for a few.  As for our religious holidays, I have kept traditions there - but they have also become so commercialized that they seem more stressful today.  The political holidays do seem to be just "a day off of work" though.  I wonder how much that has to do with a decline in patriotism?

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4. 71

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   It holds meaning to most of my family. For my husband, he shares your view point. Honestly a few history specials or a historic movie helps put him in place. It's just like putting meaning in life but putting meaning in one day.

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5. 76

   Thief12posted 11 years ago

   I agree that some holidays have seemed to lost meaning in society, but it's up to each of us to bring that significance back. If one complains that Christmas is not as meaningful as it was before, then one can decorate, organize a Christmas party with neighbors, bring gifts to a shelter, or do something to hold that meaning high. If Memorial Day is becoming another day off at work, then you can visit a cemetery or memorial, bring flowers to a soldier's grave, visit a veteran's home, etc. It's up to us to keep the spirit of those holidays up.

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6. 93

   StoneCircleposted 11 years ago

   Ii truly it depends on what the holiday is. There are many "hallmark" holidays that are just meant to get you into a store and spend some cash. That is how I see Valentine;s Day, Grandparents Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day even Thanksgiving Day.
   I know I am loved so I do not need chocolates,card & a dozen roses that is not worth $120. My Mom, Dad, and Grandparents know I love them due to I show it every chance I get. I buy the card, but we really do not do anything special on that day.
   
   I believe Thanksgiving is just a way to get a whole bunch of food on the table, make your family crazy, and watch football. I have never had a group of Native Americans come over to celebrate that the Pilgrims figured out how to grow food.

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7. 61

   Maggie Bennettposted 11 years ago

   Well, my Father was a Purple Heart recipient who died from complications of his injuries when I was a kid.  To me it is not a holiday or a day off from work.  It is a day to remember my Dad and all the other men and women who have given their all for us.

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