Seems there is a trend to skate through holidays like they don’t even exist anymore in our country and it makes my heart just a little bit sad. Wait–more than a little bit sad.
I have always loved Thanksgiving. Probably more than Christmas because it just seemed simpler.
Thanksgiving has always been family time for me. Time spent with family watching the Macy’s Parade, preparing a fabulous meal, eating maybe a bit too many mashed potatoes, watching football games, taking a tryptophan induced nap—you know what I am talking about. It may not be the same for everyone but I am pretty sure that a lot of us share some of the same experiences.
This year because of the shortened time between Thanksgiving and Christmas many retailers are choosing to open their doors to the public on Thanksgiving Day. A day that until now has basically been left alone by retailers. Now I am not naive enough to think that every place is closed on Thanksgiving. I know there are plenty of hard working folks who work that day and who are probably happy working those hours. My sadness is not aimed at those establishments that have always been open for gas and services like medical, fire, and security that really need to be staffed. What saddens me is that our retail giants are feeling that there need to be “deals” offered to folks that will lure them out of their cozy turkey scented homes into the mad chaos of frenzied shoppers looking for the best deal in the land. Walmart posted an ad in USA Today that shocked me.
Black Thursday? Really, Walmart???
My sadness increases as I hear stories of employees who have no choice but to work the hours assigned to them by their bosses with no option of opting out.
My sadness increases as I witness consumerism pushing out the family celebrations.
Don’t get me wrong! I love a great buy, a good deal, a wonderful sale as much as the next person but I want one day –just one day—-when it is not about that.
So will you join me? Will you say NO to going out to those stores that are opening their doors on Thanksgiving ? Will you take a stand? If we don’t shop these stores they will not do this next year.
Thanksgiving should be just that—a day of thanksgiving. Let’s take back the day.
Please join us on our Facebook page created to promote Thanksgiving the Real Deal by clicking on the link and liking it.
But don’t stop there.
Share it with like minded friends.
Tweet it.
Post it on your Facebook page.
Write a blog post and share it on the page.
Have your kids draw pictures of Thanksgiving and post them on Thanksgiving the Real Deal.
Use the graphics to spread the movement.
WE CAN DO THIS!
Much thanks to KatyBeth from Odd Loves Company for being the superwoman with the cape behind this crusade. Check out her blog—she rocks!
