Halloween is on everyone’s mind now that it’s just around the corner. It’s a holiday that began over 2,000 years ago and has evolved in countless ways. But honestly, that’s true for most holidays. Christmas was first recorded on December 25th in 336 C.E., Easter dates back to the second century, and Thanksgiving began around 1621. At least they’re all different… right?
People love Halloween because it’s the one holiday where you get candy, dress up in fun and unique costumes, and maybe even have a themed dinner. Easter? You dress nicely, hunt or hide eggs (usually filled with candy), and enjoy a nice meal. During Christmas, you can wear themed pajamas, open presents, eat delicious food, and reflect on what you’re grateful for. Then there’s Thanksgiving, where you dress up, eat a big meal, and share what you’re thankful for. Don’t those all sound kind of… similar?
Each one involves eating, dressing up in some way, and greeting people. It’s the same formula, just in a different font. Sure, the meaning behind each holiday matters to some people, but for me, it’s not enough. The things I listed are what most people do. That’s not even counting family traditions, which, if I’m being honest, usually don’t make them feel all that different either.
Then there are the holidays that barely get noticed because they’re not seen as fun as the big ones. Just a few examples of such holidays are Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Labor Day.
It feels like we’ve lost the meaning behind those days. Some holidays, people barely know anything about. Like, do you even know what Cesar Chavez Day is? Or why we celebrate April Fools’ Day? Presidents’ Day was originally meant to honor George Washington. Did you know that? And what about the holidays we ignore because they’re labeled for a specific country? We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday based in Christianity being brought to Ireland.
Now, based on all this, you might think I hate holidays or don’t like having fun. That’s not true at all. I love celebrating. I just don’t get why people my age still hype up holidays like we’re little kids. It’s different now — it feels less exciting.
To dig deeper, I asked a couple of Dover High School seniors for their thoughts. I asked them two questions: What do you think is the most overrated holiday, and why? And what do you think is the most underrated holiday, and why?
We’ll start with Victor Oxlaj-Pastor. He said, “I say Valentine’s Day is the most overrated out of the major holidays. It just seems the most uninteresting, but also, the least popular. Places like Dollar General, Home Depot, and Walmart hype it up with decorations, candies, themed plates and cutlery, flowers, and more. But I’ve seen very few people get those things. Except for the common things like sweets such as peanut-butter chocolates. And the flowers, which are usually red and pink, those colors are everywhere during Valentine’s Day!”
For the most underrated holiday, he said, “Thanksgiving. It’s crammed in between Halloween and Christmas, which then lets it be overshadowed. I think it’s an important holiday because it’s centered around being with family at a dinner table. That family you eat with may only come around for that occasion, which I think is very special.”
I also asked Carl (CJ) Hoffman, and this is what he said, “I think the most overrated holiday is Halloween because you don’t really get money or gifts, and that’s my favorite part of other holidays. Plus, I don’t eat half the candy I get, so it’s not really all that important to me.”
He also said this when asked the second question, “I believe the most underrated holiday is Easter because I like the whimsical aspect of the holiday. Plus, I sometimes get money, and I love money.”
It’s clear that Victor and CJ have very different views when it comes to holidays. However, both can be considered relatable to anyone and are also valid. I have my own opinions on the holidays, which I’ve already mentioned, but to me, the most overhyped holiday is Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a holiday I really like celebrating, but it seems that everyone says it’s underrated. I understand why we celebrate it, but it has started to become an excuse to have a cheat day.
The most underrated holiday, I’ll say, is Valentine’s Day. The holiday can be interpreted in any way for couples; they don’t have to sit down and have dinner, and they can simply be together, go to a fair, go on a hike, or watch a movie. However, I get why single people may roll their eyes at it. As someone single myself, it can feel like the world is drenched in heart-shaped gifts and declarations of love, both online and in real life. It’s easy to feel left out when the spotlight seems to shine only on couples. But nowadays, Valentine’s Day has become more inclusive to people who aren’t in a relationship. It’s no longer just about romance. It’s about love in all its forms, including self-love. You can buy yourself flowers, indulge in your favorite treats, or spend the day with friends and family. You know yourself better than anyone else, so why not celebrate that?
No matter what people think, there’s no single “best” holiday. Each one is special in its own way and holds a unique meaning in different people’s hearts. Whether it’s rooted in religious tradition or simply celebrated for fun, we can all respect others’ holiday opinions.
