It’s gotten to be a perennial complaint. Christmas decorations are up in the stores even before Halloween rolls around anymore. Certainly as soon as the spooks and goblins are done, the Santas, elves, and reindeer appear. In the process, Thanksgiving loses out to mass consumerism.
There’s a very simple explanation – retailers can’t market gratitude. In fact, the very concept is anathema to the idea of buying more and more. When one stops to reflect on the bountiful gifts they have received, they may realize that they have enough, and not be as anxious to rush out to the stores. So, the gluttonous aspects of Thanksgiving are portrayed, with large feasts and overindulgence. But until someone finds a way to tie large purchases for something other than food to the holiday, Thanksgiving will continue to lose out.
And in the vein of Thanksgiving…
I have tried very hard not to fill this blog with complaints and angst. I have tried to focus any rants on problems at large, and not, "woe is me." I may speak of the pressures of work, but these are nothing compared to the pressures of someone who has no work, or the pressures of those who have not only lost work but also their homes various ravages of nature. I recognize that while we may not be rich by American standards, we are much more wealthy than the majority of the world’s population. I also realize that all it takes is a slight change of circumstance – illness, tragedy, etc – to change that condition, and so I give thanks that we have been free from these misfortunes. It may seem trite to say it, but we do truly have much for which to be thankful.