Each year I’m more and more amazed at how early Christmas is
getting to be. Obviously the holiday itself isn’t moving earlier in the year,
but people begin to get ready for Christmas much earlier each and every year.
I’m not certain if it’s the need to get things done and the thought that there
just isn’t enough time, or just to be first, but in that, I think we are losing
something.
I’m certainly not the only one who has this view, and I
suppose there is a sect out there who believes that those of us who do are
simply insufferable at this time of the year, but seriously, ask yourself why
should the season begin so early, and why is it that we’ve allowed ourselves to
be sucked into the myth that this is a good thing?
Normally I don’t care, but more and more, and this year
especially, I see us moving toward not even acknowledging Thanksgiving, moving
straight on into Christmas after Halloween, and becoming so fatigued with it
before it happens we lose sight of the things that matter. This year, many of
the stores are no longer holding Black Friday sales (even though they’ll still
call them that) and are instead opting for early starts to sales on
Thanksgiving night. Stores as early as 5pm, and I would imagine others not even
bothering to close on Thanksgiving in order to be the first.
I could say that the stores shouldn’t do that. To hold such
ludacris sales early requires employees to man the stores on Thanksgiving.
Times when many would rather be with their families, but as such action becomes
commonplace, that notion becomes ever quainter. But I can’t say as I blame the
stores as such. They’re simply providing a demand, and that’s the problem.
The problem lies within all of us. Stores wouldn’t be inclined
to skip Thanksgiving altogether if not for the public, in droves demanding such
things. Sure, some of us do no partake, and never will, but sadly too many of
us are at these establishments (days in advance in some cases) in order to be
the first one to get the best deal. The stores, like a drug dealer, are only
providing us with what we want.
And many times, the guys on the front lines have little say
in the matter. If the Wal-Mart Corporation decides to begins their black Friday
sales at 3pm on Thanksgiving Day, all the stores are forced to comply. No one can
opt out. It’s all a numbers game to these corporate stooges and that’s all it
ever will be. (Ironic considering you know those same morons will be at home
with their families on Thanksgiving)
I suppose it would be futile to ask people to not feed the
beast, but it needs to be said, and it needs to happen. Ask yourself, is it
really worth your time to camp out in front of Sears for two days in order to
get 70% off a new coffee maker or washer? And if so, what does that say about
you and your values in life?
It’s not the stores themselves, but rather all of us that
need to take a stand and say ENOUGH! Thanksgiving is important, because it’s a
day we can get together and give thanks for everything that we have in life,
where we are in our lives and hope, or pray for success and prosperity in the
coming year. Contrary to popular belief, that’s the only thing that really
matters in life.
No one ever shows their friends pictures of their washing
machine and brags about getting it at half price on Black Friday, but they do
remember the afternoon backyard football games with the cousins, the turkey,
and catching up with the relatives. It may not be fond memories in all cases
but memories nevertheless. These are the things that are important in life, and
it’s time we all realized that.
