This Thanksgiving Embrace the Traditions Hollywood Wants You to Forget

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Hollywood has often portrayed Thanksgiving as old-fashioned or even problematic, pushing for new interpretations and using holiday movies to promote social messages instead of genuine connection. But when you look beyond the hype and focus on your own Thanksgiving, you’ll find something real that Hollywood can’t create or profit from: the warmth of family.

During this Thanksgiving season – and it’s definitely a time for family – it’s worth noticing how often movies and TV shows seem to ignore the values that make holidays like Thanksgiving special. Over the past ten years, big studios have shown fewer traditional Thanksgiving programs, and instead focused on stories where family and tradition aren’t considered important.

These days, even movies marketed as heartwarming holiday tales don’t often focus on close-knit, supportive families. Instead, they frequently depict family members as challenges to overcome on a personal journey, rather than as the core of someone’s life.

Thanksgiving movies used to be a reliable source of heartwarming and funny stories about families – the good, the bad, and everything in between. Filmmakers embraced the relatable messiness of the holiday, creating classics about families who argued, made up, and ultimately connected. Now, though, major studios seem more interested in delivering messages than telling enjoyable stories. They often try to dictate what traditions are ‘meaningful,’ rather than simply celebrating the ones people already cherish.

But in real homes across the country, that message couldn’t be further from the truth.

Thanksgiving isn’t about being negative or trying to change the meaning of the holiday to follow a current fad. It’s not about choosing a commercial message over spending time with loved ones. At its heart, Thanksgiving is about being thankful – a word that truly means something when you share it with the people who have helped you grow and been there for you through everything.

It feels like there’s a lot of noise in the world right now. Constant arguments online, disagreements in society, and celebrity conflicts can make it hard to focus on what truly matters. That’s why cherishing your family – the people you’re actually related to, not just the idea of family you see in the media – is so important. They’re the people who first supported you, will always be there for you, and are the most valuable thing in life.

This Thanksgiving, disconnect from the constant news and distractions. It’s okay to put your phones away and even let things be a little imperfect – a slightly overcooked turkey won’t ruin the day. Enjoy the familiar stories and laughter, because you’ll cherish those memories someday.

Gather with the people around you and cherish the moments – no app or online service can replace the connection you share in person.

Traditions continue because people actively keep them alive. Families stay strong when we prioritize relationships over ease. And holidays are meaningful because we invest effort into making them so.

Everyone at That Park Place wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope your home is cozy, your table is abundant, and you’re surrounded by loved ones.

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2025-11-27 15:56