Thanksgiving vs. Goliath (Consumerism)

I am wholly annoyed at the consumerism of the so-called Christmas Season.

Image courtesy of Google

Why do stores insist on decorating for Christmas in mid-October? Who wants to walk down an aisle where that nasty clown costume from the movie It sits right next to sweet little Rudolph? It’s creepy.  One article I read called this phenomenon “The Christmas Creep.” It’s not Christmas’ fault. Christmas has nothing to do with what’s going on. Call it what it is. The Consumerism Creep or The Commercialism Creep.

Last night, three days before Thanksgiving, I was relaxing watching TV. At least I tried to relax but I couldn't because all of the TV commercials were for Black Friday sales. EXCEPT they weren’t. These greedy retailers were shouting out to whoever will bite, that they’re open on Thanksgiving Day with Black Friday specials. That's Pathetic.

What pisses me off is that Thanksgiving, one of the holidays on the top of my favorites list, is becoming  a phantom holiday. A mirage of the day that is a time-slowing oasis of sweet reflection and thanksgiving. Click here to read 10 reasons I like Thanksgiving over Christmas.

If I worked in retail and had to work on Thanksgiving Day, I would be one disgruntled employee. I would be so angry at every shopper, too. Major chain stores try to say that this is what consumers want. I believe the major chain stores have found a way to reel us in. Nothing like low, low prices to get our attention, right?

Same brand. Purchased at
two very different stores with
 two very different standards.
The cracker on the left is what
you'll be buying on
Thanksgiving Day sales.

I say you get what you pay for. Every major brand name has a variety of “levels” of quality. Consumers who think they’re getting the “best” because of a name brand are falling for a big marketing trick. You get what you pay for, friends. No such thing as a free lunch.

Stay home. Spend time with your friends and family. Save your money for a worthy purchase.

Courtesy of Google Images

Happy Thanksgiving.

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself.

~Nadine

Top 10 Reasons Why I Like Thanksgiving Over Christmas

Photo courtesy of Google Images

OK. Let’s get this straight. I am a Christian. I am thankful for the Gift of Jesus. I am thankful for God’s Graces in my life. I celebrate the Birth of the Christ Child.

But. I don’t like the Christmas season. There. I’ve said it. I don’t think I’m a Grinch or a Scrooge. I don’t rain (or more likely, snow) on other people's Christmas parade, I just silently wait for January to come. 

Let me tell you why I like Thanksgiving over Christmas, and then maybe you’ll understand.

Number Ten: Its typically not as cold and snowy at Thanksgiving making travel less stressful.

# 10: Photo courtesy of Google Images

Number Nine: The “Food Train” last for two days, three at the most, not for the whole month.

Number Eight: Thanksgiving food involves pie. That’s all. No cookies. No candies. Just pie.

#6: The extent of my Fall/Thanksgiving
decor.

Number Seven: There are no Thanksgiving songs on the radio.

Number Six: Thanksgiving decorating equals Fall decorating. Fall lasts three months. Yay!

Number Five: To go with number six, My Thanksgiving decorations take up next to nothing of my storage space.

Number Four: Shopping lasts one afternoon. And it's just food.

# 5: Christmas decorations.
I have a few new ones, too!

Number Three: There are no physical gifts at Thanksgiving.

Number Two: Thanksgiving is not a *Consumerism Trojan Horse.

Number One: Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to think about and be thankful for the graces in our lives, not the purchases we and our loved ones, friends, acquaintances, employees, employers, etcetera, will be making.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Until next time,

Yep.Shopping has commenced.
(I am not immune to it all, either.
 I really enjoy giving gifts to my loved ones.)

Be Good to Yourself.

~Nadine


*Metaphorically, the Trojan Horse is the invasion of something insidious into your life. Think about it: “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” and decorations filling the stores by Halloween. Black Friday. This year Black Friday is every Friday in November.  Cyber Monday. Consumerism run rampant - it just sucks us in -the tail wagging the dog. 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

I have so much to be thankful for.  God’s good grace is the first on my list.  He has given me my family and my health and they're always in my prayers of thankfulness. I thank Him for all that I am, all that I do, and all that I have. With that said, the following list is a little more light-hearted.  Enjoy!

1.  I am thankful for my sense of humor.  I like silly things that play on words.

2. I am thankful for music... including disco.

3. I am thankful for science fiction - and thanks to my book club girls, the opportunity to read any and every genre.

4.  I am thankful for nature and for every time I have the privilege of walking along an ocean.

5.  I am thankful for arts and crafts, even though I'm pretty bad at it, I enjoy the camaraderie of my artsy friends and the creative process.

6.  This year, and every year, I am thankful for The United States of America, the  greatest country on earth.

7. I am thankful for abundance.


Give thanks for all you have.
Ask for strength when you're in need.
Help others.
Be kind to yourself.


Happy Thanksgiving.

~Nadine