Thanksgiving has become a "forgotten" holiday: not in the sense that no one celebrates it, but in the sense that we skip forward right to Christmas. The stores have single-handedly ruined the Thanksgiving vibe by decorating for Christmas before Halloween is even over. I went to WalMart to buy a pumpkin to carve for Halloween, which was later in the week, and the entire garden center was full of fake trees, blowups, lights, and ornaments. I was appalled. Halloween wasn't even over yet and here we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. I understand that the stores make the most money during this time, but seriously? Can we enjoy the holidays? Why does it have to be so rushed? I can't even walk into a store right now because they are playing Christmas music 24/7 - and not even the good Christmas music. I'd rather hear Michael Buble's "Christmas", but either way it's not time for Christmas music. Christmas festivities can start the weekend after Thanksgiving because having it start before ruins the holiday.
My email inbox has been bombarded with "Holiday Savings" and "Get your Christmas shopping done early." Sales are good, don't get me wrong, but I do not understand why my holiday shopping needs to be completed in October (when the emails came pouring in). I like to start my Christmas shopping early, but finishing in October is ridiculous. I only completed my shopping for two people and November is almost over. I like to enjoy Christmas shopping when stores are decorated and the Christmas music is on and everyone is in a great mood. Combining holidays gets everyone overwhelmed because they have to focus on Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas shopping: two things that shouldn't be combined. Why do we need more things to worry about? We should enjoy the holidays and not worry about the next holiday that's a month away. The holidays are a time to relax and enjoy the time we have to be together.
On top of all that, stores have people working on the night of Thanksgiving. Seriously? Why should Black Friday start on Thursday? It's called Black Friday for a reason. Pulling the workers away from their families and friends to work on "Black Friday," or as I call it, "Black Thursday," is absurd. Many stores have come out and stated that they are not having people work on Thanksgiving because it just isn't right. It is time to take down the Christmas decorations and embrace Thanksgiving!
