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Will Thanksgiving Become a Thing of the Past?

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Happy Thanksgiving 2010

 

 

 

 

Article by Wendy McCance

Every year I am amazed at the stories of people making their plans for black friday. Scouring the ads, mapping out which stores to hit and in what order and waking up at the crack of dawn to get to the stores as they open up.

The last few years have been even more dreadful.  Now there are stores that are open on Thanksgiving day.  Some of the stores are opening even before families have a chance to eat a meal together.  What is happening to what was once such an important day?

Thanksgiving to me has always meant family and friends getting together.  Watching the Thanksgiving day parade first thing in the morning as food is pulled out and the cooking begins.  A football game on in the background as the feast is put together.  Relaxing and catching up with the people you love and see rarely because of busy schedules.

Now people are being put in a position to decide if tradition is more important than material possessions.  Schedules are being drawn out so that spending time with family and friends is a rushed event so the sales aren’t missed.

My thought is this, I don’t care how much money I might save, material possessions are not worth the sacrifice of enjoying those who mean the most to me.  I want my kids to grow up with fond memories of an over-sized table stuffed with people they love and delicious food surrounding them.  I want my kids to have great stories of spending time with their relatives and are able to relive some great memories.

I can’t imagine my kids growing up remembering the adults running out the door to catch a sale.  I don’t want them to have imagines of people pushing and shoving to get a tv.  I don’t want my kids to ever feel that material possessions are more important than family and friends.

I feel awful for those people forced to work on a holiday.  I think people should have the choice.  Some might take the opportunity because they need the money, but that should be their decision and not a forced upon requirement for keeping their job.

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and memorable Thanksgiving day.  There are those who will be excited to spend their day shopping, but I will take a traditional Thanksgiving day over a buying frenzy any day.

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Wendy McCance

Wendy McCance is a Michigan based freelance writer and social media consultant. Wendy has gained attention as the founder of the popular blog Searching for the Happiness which can be viewed in 9 local papers online, including the Oakland Press. The combination of writing skills and social media knowledge is what makes Wendy such a powerhouse to work with. Stay tuned for opportunities to advertise, guest post and as always, have your questions answered.

To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]

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20 thoughts on “Will Thanksgiving Become a Thing of the Past?”

  1. Great Holiday Post Wendy!<
    I don't think there is any ITEM FOR SALE that is worth the *HELL* people have to go through to get for a lower price. LIFE is to short, and should be spent with Family & Friends, and keeping your Serenity through the Holiday Season.

    I also came by to share a little Early Holiday Cheer by Sharing & Nominating you & your awesome, helpful Blog for *The Sisterhood Of The World* blogger award!
    You give of yourself to many of us Women by sharing so much to make our *Craft* better! So Thanks for all you DO! If you chose to nom some of your *FAV* blogs, you may Copy & Paste the details from site: http://CatherineLyonAddictedToDimes.wordpress.com of post or page tittled, *My New Fabulous Blog Award*…..*CHEERS* And Blessed Holidays to YOU & Your Family!
    *Catherine* xoxo 🙂

    Reply

  3. Pingback: Thanksgiving Shopping, Buddha,Teen's Perspective - Odd Loves Company

  6. I’m right there with you, Wendy. Unfortunately, those that are out shopping probably won’t be reading this. I don’t know how far commercial buttons need to get pushed before we wake up to what it’s doing to our family values and how we’re being manipulated.

    Maybe, it’s the turkeys that are getting together and secretly trying to sabotage Thanksgiving. LOL 🙂

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  8. Hi Wendy,
    AMEN!! I couldn’t fathom being some executive and thinking that my employees giving up their Thanksgiving is more important than closing for a few extra hours, even if competitors are doing it. Any PR person can spin that and say that they care more about their employees.
    I am not a Black Friday shopper. I’m not the type who will be at a store at 4-5am to shop. I’m with you. My family time is way more important than shopping. My husband loves Thanksgiving. He does all of the cooking and I make the dessert. He is excited that this year he can get our girls involved in the cooking, albeit in small amounts because they are still little. It is a tradition that he wants to start with them.
    Next year no one will remember the Black Friday shopping experience of 2013, but they will remember the special moments that they had with their loved ones. It’s such a shame that Thanksgiving is an obstacle to overcome for retailers, instead of a beloved holiday. The worst part is the shoppers that participate. If no one participated, there would be no incentive to open.

    Sincerely,
    Karina

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  9. Kudos to you, Wendy. I’m also amazed, but much more appalled. Greed has replaced this wonderfully celebrated day. I am thankful for all I possess, and for the beautiful family God has given me. We don’t go through the madness of shopping, nor any other activities that would divert us from our traditions. We celebrate! Great post. Enjoy, and celebrate your family, the most important one in your life. Blessings.

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