The holidays are coming up, and whatever you may celebrate –Christmas, Hanukkah, Quanza, Festivus- I bet that you have feelings about them (positive or negative is your business, not mine). Anyway, it’s November. We just said good-by to Halloween and already the holiday decorations are up. I’m seeing decorated trees and snow-covered displays at the mall, the holiday decorations are already being put up downtown, and the political commercials are (mercifully) being replaced by the retail stores messages of “Get in now for early-bird holiday shopping!”
I’ve even heard festive music wafting around in some department stores.
I will be the first to admit that I love the holidays. Everything about the season is great to me; the decorations, the food, the generous spirits and acts of giving, all of it.
But seeing as there is a holiday in November that comes before the wintery ones, I believe that it should get its moment in the sun before starting on the next holiday. Thanksgiving is a historically rich holiday, and it’s filled with symbolism (and food). But since it really isn’t a boon to department stores or the media, it often gets skipped over.
This should not be. Besides the stated reasons above, the holiday season seems to get longer and longer each year. To me, it loses that sense of excitement and anticipation because it can’t be savored.
Yes, you want to have time to get your shopping out of the way. Yes, you want to attend all of those holiday parties. And you need to work 60 hours a week because that’s what we do in America. It’s all about being with the ones you love during the holidays, right? Yes. This is true. But this is true for Thanksgiving as well!
This is not meant to offend anyone, I’m just giving my humble opinion. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope it is wonderful for you!