Despite the number of businesses and retail stores already decked out for Christmas, we are in full Thanksgiving mode a
t our house, maintaining our “no Christmas until after Thanksgiving” rule and loving every minute of it. Right down to the pumpkin spoon rest on the stove, the 3-leaf compartment snack dish on the bar and the Beanie Baby turkeys (yes, we have two!) on the bookshelf.
While I admit to some mental Christmas planning, we are fully immersed in an unseasonably warm fall and again, loving every minute of it. Especially the colorful mix of summer flowers still in full bloom next to the rich autumn hues of pumpkins and gourds. Christmas is a mere, distant blimp on our radar at this point.
It saddens me to see people disregard Thanksgiving in favor of the more exciting holiday that follows it. And every year it seems the rush-through-Thanksgiving-so-we-can-get-to-Christmas mentality gains momentum. Several years ago, retail stores who routinely opened their doors to eager shoppers at 6 or 7 am on the Friday after Thanksgiving opted to open earlier. And then earlier. And then even EARLIER until the Black Friday craze encroached on Thanksgiving Day.
But the tide may be turning. Outdoor and fitness retailer REI announced not only will it not be open on Thanksgiving, it “is canceling Black Friday this year. No promotions, no hourly sales, no doorbusters, no waiting in line.” A small handful of the outdoor gear retailer’s approximately 12,000 employees will be on call, while the rest get a paid day off.
Way to go, REI.
Other retail establishments have announced firm plans to be closed on Thanksgiving, allowing their employees to enjoy the day with family and friends. Check out a list of Thanksgiving honoring businesses here. I think I’ll be studying this list and shopping from as many of these retailers as I can.
I plan to indulge in all things fall and Thanksgiving related for two more weeks leading up to what I hope to be another tradition-rich holiday spent with family.
I’d love to hear what you enjoy most about Thanksgiving. Share in the comment section below.
The Scriblerians 
Good reminder. One of the reasons I am thankful that, here in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October, although it is always a struggle to keep Halloween from encroaching on our celebrations. Strictly speaking, I’d have far less of a problem with Thanksgiving and Christmas mingling as the two are far more intrinsically related than Thanksgiving and Halloween. Thanks for this post though, a good reminder to stop and focus on the important and meaningful aspects of each holiday and not get swept up the commercialism. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!
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You’re right, Sara, Thanksgiving and Christmas DO have more in common than either has with Halloween. I can see how the Canadian celebration in October is a plus in terms of separating the two holidays. I don’t have problem with Halloween in general, although it’s not the important holiday either Thanksgiving OR Christmas are. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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I never get caught up in the whole black Friday thing. I try to just enjoy the day.
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I used to love Thanksgiving as a kid – we met up with two other families and would have a huge day, loads of food and “olympic” events like archery, races, crafts, flag football. But since Hubby has had one Thanksgiving off in the last 10 years, it’s become a day where daughter and I hang out at home – make an attempt at a small traditional meal – and miss living near family. (We do NOT do the shopping on Thanksgiving or the day after. Too many people, too many cars and potential accidents, no thank you)
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Hey, Sparks, that’s a bummer your husband has to be away from home on Thanksgiving. Maybe you could find another family or two who also don’t have extended family around and get together with them. The Thanksgiving of your childhood sounds awesome. 🙂 What great memories you have…
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