As William Bradford extended his invitation to the neighboring Wampanoag peoples in 1621, it’s likely that the last thing on his mind was how much of a deal he could get on a bushel of corn the next morning. Yet, flash forward a few centuries, and here we are. In an age of rapid-paced consumerism, Black Friday has become the biggest shopping day of the entire year.
Likewise, the night before Thanksgiving has embraced another form of consumerism – it’s the busiest bar night of the year. Surrounded by two very non-traditional statistics, it’s hard not to wonder, where has Thanksgiving gone?
Things have changed in the last years, decades, centuries – there is no doubting that. New traditions are mixed in with the old, and newer ways of celebrating have popped up in every home across our nation. The evolvement of our country can be found in the Tofurkey available in any given grocery store across America…to the staggering amount of people lined up outside retailers’ doors at 3 am on Friday morning.
But it wasn’t so long ago that families gathered ‘round and broke bread and “wish-giving” turkey bones — just for the sake of the celebration of being together. In fact, it wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century – after a very long, very enthusiastic crusade by magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale – that Thanksgiving was even acknowledged as a national holiday. Hale’s campaign argued for the day to be recognized for families everywhere, so that those embroiled in the working world were gifted with the time and freedom to be with their loved ones.
However, newer rules are pushing out the old. For the first time this year, some retail giants are opening their anxious doors the night of Thanksgiving – an event that many of the stores’ employees are less than enthusiastic about – as their time to be with family is cut short in favor of a more profitable sales day. It’s hard to turn a blind eye to this increasing of commodity culture. In fact, it’s estimated that the annual number for Black Friday shoppers hovers around 350 million; and of those people, over 30% are already out of their homes by 5 am.
Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with loving a great bargain, and there is nothing wrong with gathering our friends and family at the crack of dawn and huddling together at the shopping mall’s entrance. But amongst all these great deals and rushes of people, it’s sometimes easy to forget that there’s a holiday devoted to being thankful in there as well.
Thanksgiving was created as a way to cherish each other, to celebrate our oneness and togetherness. So if there’s any tradition to uphold this year, let’s make it a tradition of remembering to take the time to be thankful for those we love, and for those who love us.
For there’s nothing better than some cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and family cheer!
(And, ok, yes…that 32” inch plasma TV for $200.)
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It's a shame the way all the holidays are being rushed. Christmas "stuff" was out even prior to Halloween being over. All the holidays are being commercialized and the spirit and meanings of holidays are being lost. Unfortunately I see this happening at a very young age, with children coming home from school parties with an absurd amount of stuff before the holiday even arrives.
I'm thankful that my family will be around my table this year. I'm thankful that my children have grandparents and even a great grandma to share in these important times in their lives. I'm thankful for a roof over my head. I'm thankful for this magazine for putting God in the forefront for people. Thank you!