It's that time of year again ... the holiday season. Granted there's no snow and most of us are still wearing flip-flops and shorts, but according to that little thing called a calendar, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.
However, there seems to be some confusion as to which holiday we're celebrating. It's the middle of November and retailers are already encouraging Christmas shopping. Holiday decorations and lights are strung in storefronts, and it's only a matter of time before radio stations begin playing the usual Christmas melodies we've come to expect.
Isn't it too soon for Christmas? It seems that every year Christmas comes earlier. Even before Halloween passed, retailers began advertising for Christmas. Have we forgotten about Thanksgiving?
It is a rather important element of American history that celebrates our heritage. It gives us a chance to reflect on the blessings in our lives and spend time with our families. Plus, let's not forgot about the food: turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie. It's the only official day of the year when it's acceptable to eat all day long.
So why are retailers jumping the gun on Christmas and giving Thanksgiving the short end of the wishbone? Some people believe retailers fear that consumers are more worried about finances this year and will not do their holiday shopping in bulk, closer to Christmas. Gas prices are another cause of concern. Rising prices may discourage consumer spending money elsewhere (like on presents). By giving consumers a longer shopping period and lower prices, retailers hope to increase Christmas spending.
But as retailers continually push for an earlier Christmas season, it becomes less special and more commercialized. Plus, it takes away the anticipation of Thanksgiving and adds anxiety by placing Christmas stress on consumers at an earlier date.
If we take the time to enjoy Thanksgiving and hold off the urge to start our Christmas shopping early, we can send a message to retailers and hopefully prevent the decline of Thanksgiving. After all, retailers' sole purpose is to make a profit. If early holiday shopping fails to increase revenue, then retailers will revert back to Christmas sales after Thanksgiving.
We understand how tempting it can be to finish your holiday shopping early, but we need to keep in mind what this does to the holiday season. The season shouldn't be about shopping or presents. We need to focus on tradition and spending time with family and friends.
So let's all sit back, savor Thanksgiving, gain a couple of pounds and think about what we have to be thankful for, like the fact that it's November and we're still wearing flip-flops.
