Why do most people only show how thankful they are, sometimes, between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

I don’t think it’s guilt. I think we tend to take a lot for granted. We tend to be busy people. The holidays just remind us that we ought to let people know how thankful we are.

That’s a part of the holiday: we pretend to care so we don’t seem like the total spoiled brats we are. The type of people that complain about not getting deals on tangible goods and free presents from other people. But yeah, we’re so thankful…...

I would disagree a little bit. I think people that are genuinely thankful show it throughout the year, and people who aren’t make a big show out of how thankful they are without becoming actually more thankful during the holiday season because of the emphasis put on being thankful (and on subsequently shunning those who do not seem thankful). But I don’t think the holidays really are successful in creating an atmosphere of actual increased gratitude.

Because between that time, society teaches us from elementary on, that the worlds a hell hole rat race. So during Christmas and Thanksgiving we have a reflection period, a period where we don’t think about getting ahead no longer, its about giving to others, just for a brief little bit of the year. And then back to getting ahead of the curve. Duhhh lol. Good question.

Advertisers and Hollywood kind of encourage it I think. Social pressure people don’t even think about.

Lots of false premises as usual, @Hypocrisy_Central.

People don’t give other times of the year. Not true.

“Total giving to charitable organizations was $290.89 billion in 2010 (about 2% of GDP). This is an increase of 3.8% from 2009 when giving was $280.3 billion.”

“As in previous years, the majority of that giving came from individuals. Specifically, individuals gave $211.77 billion (73%) representing a 2.7% increase over 2009.”

Charity Navigator

@Hypocrisy_Central: I disagree with your thesis. Where did you come up with that concept?

They are only “thankful” and “benevolent” because they have been taught they should be, not because they truly are.

It’s the time of year people have their wallets open and are in a spending mood. It is charities chance to strike while e pan is hot. There is guilt for some probably, but for others it is a time people feel generous. Christmas in American society is so commercialized, God forbid a child does not get a gift on Christmas day. Even adults feel cheated. I get it really, because being Jewish it kind of sucked being a kid on the outside of Christmas. On Thanksgiving people are so disgustingly glutonous that it seems horrible think someone else might go hungry on that day.

@marinelife Lots of false premises as usual, @Hypocrisy_Central.
People don’t give other times of the year. Not true. That is not what I said, but it is predictable you would miss that fact. I never once said people didn’t give through out the year. What I do allude to, and if you have facts or something to say different, that more people give during the holidays, the media is all over that, less they be liars.

@gailcalled @Hypocrisy_Central: I disagree with your thesis. Where did you come up with that concept? Seeing that you have not introduced any better concept of your own, here is how I come to mine. The fact of the matter is I don’t see or hear of people creating any ad hoc toy drop offs anywhere through out the year. Poor kids are still having b-days etc. The media around here several times a year, almost every other month are reporting how local charities are down, or food banks and soup kitchens are struggling to keep operating because the need is up, but supplies are down. If everyone is so giving as they are this time of year, why is that? Try coming up with that answer. Through out the year the only one who ever gets a mention for giving something as small as 100 meals are celebrities. I guess John Q is doing it all the time, but the media is just dissing him, because he is not a celebrity. My concept comes from a year long observation. However, I am fully ready to see what your counter is, hopefully you don’t try to use the giving in the Hampton to show how giving is done in Queens, Watts, Hunters Point, etc.

I don’t think it’s that way. I believe more people are thankful to each other throughout the year than aren’t.

@Hypocrisy_Central “the majority do not pay attention until the holidays. Through out the year I always hear food banks and soup kitchens are saying their donations are down, but people needing help is up.” Your words, n’est ce pas?

@marinelife A majority can be as little as 51%, that means more than 25% give through out the year, but most are still not. Where that break point of “majority” hits the news never say. If everyone was giving all through the year the way they load up the toy barrel at the fire station, why would the charities have to nearly beg via the media, because they are worried they will have to close up shop? Some people do give, but they give all of the time, they don’t wait until the jolly fat man appears on TV before their hand moves to their checkbook.