Hammock Track Tales: Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

Hammock - an elevated tract of land rising above the general level of a marsh region. Or in other words, where we call home. This is a record of our life, or the "tracks" we leave there. We are the parents of four children. We home school and do other crazy things like raise rabbits, garden, fish, hunt and spend a lot of time together. Just as animals leave tracks in the marsh near our home, we leave tracks here for you to read and hopefully enjoy. Hammock Track Tales is updated almost daily.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

What has happened to Thanksgiving?

Are we all going to sit back and watch it become a day of shopping?

We can all post cute little numbered things we are thankful for on Facebook, but can we back those feelings up by refusing to shop on Thanksgiving?

I am all for saving money, and in years past I've done that on Black Friday. But, it has gone too far. Opening at midnight on Friday? When will the people who work in these stores celebrate Thanksgiving? They will need to spend most of Turkey Day sleeping. They will be tired after stocking all of the store on Wednesday and then they will need to turn around and stay up all night so we can shop like crazed fools. All in the name of Christmas....

Have we lost our minds?

This year I will not buy a single Christmas gift or item from a store that was open for shoppers on Thanksgiving or right after the clock strikes midnight.

I have a choice and I will sleep happily knowing that I may have spent 20% more for my Christmas purchases, but I won't support companies that refuse to allow their employees to enjoy Thanksgiving.

Alternatives to spending our money at the chain stores that promote this crazy spending:

1. Zoo - Buy your family a pass and you will enjoy it all year.
2. Hair and nail salon gift certificates. Who can't appreciate a pedicure?
3. Online shopping - check out a few Etsy shops while you are at it. Plus you can stay in pjs and do that.
4. Arts and Crafts Christmas Bazaars - Many times you can support a charity in the process.

And then we can always decide to just spend less on our families, altogether. I know it is a novel idea. It may even be radical. But since many of us are celebrating the season in the name of Jesus, maybe we should find a need and let our finances meet it. And in doing so we'll pare back the amount spent on ourselves.

Am I alone? If you are with me, link up your rant below or leave your thoughts in the comment section.

November 17

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Carlie K · 697 weeks ago

I have never, nor will I ever participate in Black Friday sales by physically standing in line at a store for hours only to have some lunatic to snatch my purchase out of my hands LOL. I have purchased a couple of items online and it was a few sticking stuffers from Family Christian. But overall I really do think it has become way out of hand. I am ok with the Internet sales though.

1 reply · active 697 weeks ago

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savannah93 59p · 697 weeks ago

Yes, I think I will do most of my shopping online this year.
My recent post Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

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ByWordsMusings · 697 weeks ago

I was totally blown away with the news this morning ... now even ToysRUs is opening at 9pm on Thanksgiving Day ... so very wrong when people should be home with their families.
I am with you on this ...

1 reply · active 697 weeks ago

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savannah93 59p · 697 weeks ago

I know...it is just pathetic. Who would miss a day to quietly enjoy their family?
My recent post Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

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Fawn · 697 weeks ago

I have never shopped on Black Friday and I think our family will keep that tradition alive and well. Thanksgiving is such an important day and I hope and pay people take the time to pause and reflect on the wonderful things in their life. That's certainly what we'll be doing on Thanksgiving :).
My recent post How This Club Came to Be

1 reply · active 697 weeks ago

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savannah93 59p · 697 weeks ago

Thanksgiving is my most favoritest holiday!
My recent post Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

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slkeith 11p · 697 weeks ago

I agree with you. Christmas started in Oct. this year. Unbelievable. In the old days, when I was a kid, all stores were closed on Thanksgiving Day. As I recall, only a few restaurants were open. Now it's all about the money--the bottom line. And you know that the Love of money is the root of all evil. If the merchants weren't in a love affair with the almighty dollar, things would be like of old.

1 reply · active 697 weeks ago

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savannah93 59p · 697 weeks ago

Ah true...but the fact is they are making money on Black Friday. Which means that the buyers are contributing to this love of money. All stores would close on Sunday and on holidays if there weren't people to buy their goods. A few sundays in a row where the stores lost money would dictate that they close.
My recent post Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

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Hannah · 696 weeks ago

Our society is gift obsessed! Christmas truly isn't about the presents! Especially with the financial crunch, it's an awesome thing to downsize a little!

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Has Anyone Seen Thanksgiving...It's Missing

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