Thanksgiving? What's that?

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.