Only in America does this happen...

I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that read as such:

"Black Friday: Because only in America do we wait in line and trample others for sale items one day after giving thanks for what we already have."

This is spot on. Isn't it ironic how many of the same people who give a heartfelt prayer at the dinner table on Thanksgiving are the ones jostling with other shoppers for bargains at the mall that night or the next day?

It's nice to see a growing number of retail establishments closing for Thanksgiving so that their employees can spend the holiday with their families. But that list remains far too short as many stores still look to cash in on the frenzy by getting Black Friday underway on Thursday night.

Many shoppers are ready to throw money at virtually anything that has "SALE" or "50% OFF" slapped on the sales tag. To be fair, some of the deals to be had really are phenomenal. But cutting Thanksgiving night short to schlep to the store and stand in line for hours on end is ludicrous in my book.

I'd rather pay a little more for gifts if it means I can spend quality time with my family. It isn't every day that you can get everyone to sit at the dinner table together, especially when you have folks coming in from out of town.

Leaving to the mall on Friday to capitalize on sales is still understandable, but Thursday night? That's just going overboard. You've hardly given your stomach enough time to digest the turkey!

It demonstrates that the holiday season has become so commercialized that the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas has gotten lost in the shuffle. The holidays are about love, family, giving, and togetherness -- not about which gadgets we plan to get whom.

As I mentioned in my earlier post today, Thanksgiving should be every day, and we should find ways to make more time for friends and family rather than squandering it on a shopping blitz.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to all!

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