Not ignorant Lyz. Canadians grow up in a way obsessed, too much, with the States. Yep, that's what we call you in this area of Canada anyway. My students regularly call you America. But we say, "going to the States for the weekend".
So the obsession is probably about two things - TV and warm weather March Break vacations.
TV - so back in the day when we, we being US and Canada, were all TV antennas. The prize was the US channels - from Buffalo for Southern Ontario. (So really has me thinking as I type. Only if you live near the border could you have a chance of getting US channels then - so certain areas of Canada were more Americanized - interesting) Today our own stations carry all your programs. Which is handy when Presidents give addresses or there is a news interruption. I can still watch my program. So it was a prize so to speak. Canadian channels have come a long way of course - as have Canadian TV shows. But most of that is about financial support. And of course there is always comedy a la SCTV.
Hmmm, didn't even consider this. Assumed you had your own thing TV wise.
Warm weather - part of my childhood is about the excitement and disappointment of who was going to the States for March Break. It was never me.

. I went once. (I'm talking Winter vacations $$$$$ I did go places in the summer) My parents simply couldn't afford it. My father was a firefighter and at that time my mother was at home. But we lived in a middle class neighbourhood - full of a lot of professionals and some

working women

(boys times have changed, eh?) so the minute I mentioned who was going to Florida - who was going to Myrtle Beach etc my mom would make me think they were spoiled and shoot me down. Which they weren't.
Funny.
So we know so much about you. But it's not the same vice versa. And that is understandable. So there are no ignorant questions.
Thanksgiving - well that's a good one Lyz. Interesting. I don't know if I know.

Really. But it's the same with the Native Canadians and such. The same - being a celebration of the harvest between them and the immigrants. I use immigrants because we are all. It was their, the Natives, land in both countires. And hence October celebration here with the differences in climate. American tradtion?? I'm wondering if it has something to do with the amount of Americans that came to Canada. A lot came during the American Revolution because so many were still loyal to the mother country and we were still the mother country. So i'm wondering outloud if there is a connection there. Probably.
Makes sense. Isn't that funny you just "do it". Kwim?
Christmas - yes, the same. We too are a country that was based on Christianity. As you know - I just mean that it has great significance. The same greed

- the same rush - and the same lovely family traditions. I love Christmas. Love the time with my family. We pick names now in my family. So that helps having some peace. I have Jean and mine's nieces and nephews (some the next generation - Jean and I were both young aunts - so one has children already) and my friend's children to buy for. So that helps. Christmas is hard for me this year because of finances and we might put the place up for sale. So holding off decorating. And my mom's decline - she's still completely functional. But it's highlighted this time of year with cooking or baking being off. Not everything but enough for you to have a reminder that something is wrong.
Right.
Plus someone very close to me died in a car crash just days before Christmas three years ago - young.
Oh my, how horrible! Who was it?
So Christmas brings a lot these days. But I still love it Lyz.
The only difference that I can think of is Boxing Day. It's a holiday too. The 26th of December. It's a huge shopping day here. And that we have more room to breathe with it all because we don't go Thanksgiving into Christmas. Thanksgiving being in October really helps.
Good questions. You made me think.