Dear Department Stores and The Rest of the Shopping World,
What’s a matter with you? Have forgotten the purpose of November? Have you forgotten about dysfunctional families, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole? Have you forgotten about the roasting, the baking, or the deep-frying? Have you forgotten about the weeklong marathon cooking shows on the Food Network … it’s like their Shark Week. Have you forgotten the awesomeness of leftovers and football? Have you forgotten it’s the only holiday where you can unbutton your pants at the table and nobody cares, because they’ve done it too? Have you forgotten about the tastiness of turkey and ham?
Yeah … yeah you have and as a Thanksgiving enthusiast I feel the need to remind you of your error. I’ve seen the decorations, you know. I’ve seen the commercials for shopping. There is no longer a Black Friday, you’ve started planning your greed fest for Thanksgiving day!
Charlie Brown would be very upset. And Lucy would kick your ass.
Dude.
What the hell?
This night is meant for dysfunctional families everywhere to swim in the tension-filled pool of family dinner and uncomfortable conversation that only wine and football can cure. It’s only one night a year, just one night where it all hits the fan. You cannot possibly choose greed over drama.
It builds no character.
Thanksgiving. It’s the holiday of resilience. If you survive this you can do anything. Survivors of this holiday go on to do great things.
🙂
But in truth not all Thanksgivings are tranquilizer worthy … Most of the time the drama settles and the holiday becomes one where you appreciate family, even the crazy ones. You appreciate your blessings. You give thanks and you hope Charlie Brown gets a chance to kick the football. It’s a holiday worthy of its own decorations. It’s a holiday that should not be overlooked or dismissed. It’s not one to be overshadowed by reindeer, fake snow, and Santa Claus.
So get a grip people and embrace the love of turkey. Put out your gobble-gobble decorations and feel the love. I know I will.
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This year, I saw my first Xmas-themed TV commercial on October 15. I think that it will not be that long before sales in July will be urging shoppers to “buy now for Xmas”. The push for Xmas seems to just get earlier and earlier every year as it tramples Halloween and Turkey Day.
I hate the fact that it gets trampled, even though there is all kind of dysfunctional family disaster, it was one of my dad’s favorite holidays and I still look forward to it because it reminds me of him so all this Christmas invasion before December burns me out.
I think that Thanksgiving is a great American tradition, and should be extended around the world. We all need to feel gratitude at least once a year. My son had 70 people arrive for dinner last year. They were expecting only 40, but word got around. 😯
Yeah even though it may get a little crazy with all the family and craziness, there are moments that make it worth it. Even when you have 70 people coming 🙂
I am all for taking it one Holiday at a time:) Great Post!
Yes! What’s with trying to jam everything together and pushing Christmas everywhere … Glad you’re one of the few that agree with me.
One radio station in my area just started playing Christmas music 24/7. I’m already tired of “Jingle Bells”!
Duuuuuuuuuuude.
Seriously! I’m with ya on this one. I love Thanksgiving! It’s hard to tune-out all of the hubbub about Christmas this time of year, but I’m always determined to try!!