Thanksgetting

It is my most favorite time of the year. The leaves have fallen and the air is crisp and cool. The thermostat in my house is set at "cozy" and fuzzy blankets are draped over every seat, just begging to be snuggled. The air smells of woodsmoke and the promise of snow.

I love the holidays.

Remember Thanksgiving? You know, that holiday that falls on the fourth Thursday in November. The one where families gather and give thanks for having each other. The holiday where folks set aside their differences and join in a nation-wide gratitude fest.

Ring a bell? No? Maybe this will jog your memory:

Remember the holiday that happens the day before Black Friday?

Now you know what I am talking about. The poor holiday that has been overshadowed by a retail mega-sale. It was bad enough that  the day after, a day I remember being reserved for tree gathering and hall decking, has been taken over with sales and door-busters, now Black Friday is creeping in on the actual holiday. Thanksgiving day is coming in swinging, fighting for busiest shopping day, riveling the mega spendy Black Friday and the nearly untouchable Saturday before Christmas.

Did you hear what I said?

THANKSGIVING DAY.

BIG SHOPPING.

Those words have no business being together. Stores have no business being open for business on major holidays. People have no business shopping while they should be in a food coma in front of some sportsball game, with family.

Whatever happened to Thanksgiving? Have we become so unthankful, as a nation, that we can't even pause our bigger-better-faster-more mentality for just one day? Have we become so consumer based that we can't put down our credit cards for 24 short hours?

The cheap plastic shit you are rushing out to get on Thursday night will still be cheap and plastic come Friday, I assure you. But, what won't be there is time spent with people you love. No store will have 8pm-midnight sales on memories. Those bargains you are shopping for come at a great cost.

Are you willing to spend your family's traditions on a 40% off gift for your kid? Are you willing to stand in line while people who should be home with family are ringing up your low cost loot? Is a $4 toaster really worth a single mom finding childcare for Thanksgiving? Is it worth kids going to bed while their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors all rush out to work or shop?

I know that for me, Thanksgiving will be spent with people I love. Those people do not include Walmart employees or Target customer service team members. I will curl up on my couch, full of delicious food, and remember what the holiday is about. I will focus on the things I have to be grateful for and not the things I could be saving a few bucks on.

Whatever happened to Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? Now it's Macy's Thanksgiving day sale and I for one am not buying it.