The death of Thanksgiving?

[Againsheila]

I always thought the crazy "black Friday" hoopla was too much.

Some stores make 50% of their profits on Black Friday, so I can see why you don't like it.

There are a few rare occasions when I will step out on black Friday. One year JoAnnes had a coupon for 50% off any material and I needed to recover some chairs. Upholstery fabric is expensive. A couple of years ago, we decided we needed a new tv, a flat panel and Sears had a black Friday sale. We didn't end up getting the one we wanted but we still got a good deal. Other than that it takes something really special to get me out that early the day after Thanksgiving. I will say, as much as I hate Best Buy, they had the best process for black Friday I've ever seen. Before the store opened they came out to ask people in line what they were there to buy, they'd then hand them a number. Before they got to us they were out of the particular computer we had come to buy so we just left. No rushing the store, no trying to grab it before someone else does and no standing around disappointed because it wasn't there. The first people in line got first choice and that's the way it should be.

 

[Nosmo King]

I hold Thanksgiving in Rockwellian adoration. The holiday has always meant a lot to my family and we still hold the old traditions dearly.

I understand that some folks were not as blessed as I. Some folks have families that were not as close, not as loving, not as welcoming as mine. But to those folks I say the traditions and the meaning of Thanksgiving works well for some, if not most of the families in America. Just because your feelings of Thanksgiving have been run off the rails by dysfunctional families, it does not mean that you should sabotage, demean or dismiss what Thanksgiving means to us romantics out here. Cynicism has its place, but not at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

I would hate to think that Thanksgiving should be given short shrift and simply dissolve into meaning the unofficial start of Christmas shopping mania. Let the holiday stand for itself. Let it bring the warm family traditions that have served our American family so well for so long. Let's not use Thanksgiving Day to amp up the commercialism the remainder of the holiday season suffers from.

 

[mudwhistle]

The first Thanksgiving was primarily held to celebrate that the Pilgrims had raided and wiped out a nearby tribe of Indians.

My family gets along great, because we all live at least 500 miles away from each other. One of my family members decided to start a tradition of all getting together forThanksgiving about 7 years ago. It was a disaster. It lasted about 3 years.

I do not enjoy football. My memories of Thanksgiving as I was growing up was to be trapped in the house for 4 days eating leftover turkey meal after meal after meal, listening to the adults fight and argue, with the television monopolized by the same, with no place to go, since everything was closed in the deep South for at least half the weekend, and all my friends were tied up with THEIR families.

In short, I hate Thanksgiving. I go to some place like Cracker Barrel, where I can get good Southern style cooking that has absolutely nothing to do with turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. I either assign the day to getting long overdue house cleaning done, or to pamper myself with a good book or movie. On Black Friday, I either never leave the house, or take a road trip to get complely out of an urban setting. I have not been in a shopping mall in 20 years, and I won't go within 10 miles of a Walmart on Friday. If I want to buy something, I buy it online and have it shipped to me through some guy who works for the USPS who needs the job.

Nice to meet you Mr Grizwald.

The trick is to join the military and then you won't have to spend any Thanksgivings with your family.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Most peeps I know volunteer to work T-Day.

The upside is they get paid time and a half.

And the family knows you will be home soon as the store closes at whatever time, THEN eat. They work around the persons schedule. They understand.

You are assuming only one person in the family is working...a bad assumption in today's society. As bad as assuming they're all working the same hours. Nope, as the title says, this is gonna kill Thanksgiving.

I remember the same kind of doom and gloom when stores started staying open late - the family is dead. Stores staying open on Sundays - religion is dead.

Fact is, our culture depends on profit. Money is what drives everything. Ask the Republicans.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

I think getting a deal is just as good as spending time with family and friends. Obama has been sticking it to us and we need to budget. It's ether that or no Christmas.

Besides, if some Native-American groups have their way, they would get rid of Thanksgiving.

Darn that Obama.

First he lowers taxes and then he lowers interest rates so people can refinance and be able to afford to stay in their homes.

Hasn't helped me at all. And my home already had a low interest loan. I didn't stupidly buy a mortgage I couldn't afford on an inflated price of a house. When I was offered Freddie or Fanny I turned them down. They either had adjustable rates or balloon payments. I bought a traditional loan, put 20% down and got a guaranteed interest rate that wouldn't change. We are almost paid off.

We have paid off our homes as well, plus some land we've got for sale in upstate NY. But, most people never pay off their mortgages and many people did get in too deep. Why shouldn't they be able to hold on to their homes?

Just because Obama did this for Americans, the Rs hate it. That's just dumb.

And you DID benefit from the tax break.

 

[Flopper]

More retailers have announced they will open Thanksgiving Day for your shopping pleasure, so to speak. Is this appropriate?

Should Thanksgiving remain a holiday, unique to America, when families gather together to give thanks, share a meal and create their own Thanksgiving memories and traditions? Or should Thanksgiving be a day when Mom or Dad has to excuse himself and go to work because bargains are offered to shoppers readying themselves for a holiday happening four weeks hence?

Will you shop on Thanksgiving, or will you take advantage of the day and enjoy it with family and friends?

Sometimes bargains are not really worth it, don't you think? If they come at the expense of yours or the clerk's family, are they really bargains at all?

Under different names Thanksgiving is celebrated elsewhere.

The modern Thanksgiving celebration in the United States originated with Lammas, a British celebration of an abundant wheat crop. On this day, farmers attended the Loaf Mass and brought loaves of bread as a token of thanks.

The first recorded observance of Thanksgiving in America was a religious occasion that did not include the feast now associated with the holiday. On December 4, 1619, a small group of English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation on the James River in Virginia. In accordance with their charter, the group observed this day by giving thanks to God.

Two years later, the residents of Plymouth rejoiced in an abundant crop and Governor William Bradford proclaimed a three day harvest festival. The colonists and about 90 Indians enjoyed an enormous feast which included ducks, geese, turkey, fish, corn bread and vegetables. It is this particular feast that is usually referred to as the First Thanksgiving.

Diversity Calendar: Thanksgiving (United States)

 

[Katzndogz]

I love Thanksgiving. Watching it that is. I love Thanksgiving themed shows and the decorations. The food, delicious though it is, is really just food. There's nothing special about stuffing your face. Same with Christmas. I love looking at it.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

I know there are folks employed at absolutely necessary workplaces like hospitals, fire stations, police precinct headquarters and ambulance services. But should retailers come up to that threshold? Should profits trump family?

Thanksgiving is cut short this year by almost a week.
Last year Thanksgiving was on Nov. 22.
This year it's on Nov. 28.
So yes in this case.
Businesses are cut short by almost a week, yes that cuts deeply into profits, especially in a slow economy like we are in now.
It's about businesses survival.
Nothing wrong with Family celebrating the Holiday and later going out to get good bargains for Christmas.
Shopping by consumers is also cut short this year.

not for me. I do a lot of shopping online now. I hate crowds. And I start my Christmas shopping right after Christmas. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to presents I forgot I bought and hid being found in the summer. That's okay though, my family is starting to enjoy their middle of the year "surprises".

We shop pretty much all year. If we see something good but its too old for our g-kids, it get put away for when they're old enough.

Living in two homes has made us nuts at times. I can't imagine McCain with his 13 homes and Romney with 5. How do they keep it all straight? They probably have staff for that. I can't count the number of times we've asked, "is that at the lake or the house in town?" We always end up with several at one end of the run and none at the other.

xmas gifts get put in a chest in a guest room. Only problem with that is if the giftee's come stay in the room.

I couldn't stand to shop all at once, shop til you drop style. That would be work and no fun at all.

 

[laughinReaper]

Thanksgiving for me has always been a family day. IMHO it should remain a family day and stores should be closed so employee's can be with their families to give thanks and be thankful. I won't even consider going shopping on Thanksgiving and never will. I hope people boycott and send a message to the greedy coporations that there is more to the holidays than sales and their bottom line.

If people did not want to go shopping on Thanksgiving the stores would never think about opening. If Thanksgiving is a family day, what about those with no families, who can't stand what family they have, or come from a different culture that doesn't recognize Thanksgiving? Should what ever options they have for getting something out of the day YOU have chosen to enjoy with your family be removed?

Opening on Thanksgiving is consumer driven.

The same could be said about those who WANT to celebrate Thanksgiving who are now being forced to work because suddenly the stores want to open. Do you really think the stores will honor their wishes? Hell no. How do I know this? Because I am old enough to remember when CT still had it''s blue laws. The stores promised to make it optional for store employee's who didn't want to work Sunday or wanted to attend church. That went right out the window. Not only were current employees exepected to work after the blue laws were lifted but stores refused to hire anyone who wouldn't work on Sunday. Kinda like how Obama told everyone if they liked their health care plan they can keep it. Stores don't give a flying fuck about your personal views.

As for people who don't want to celebrate it they can have a nice day off with pay. If anything now the stores have found a way to make take a freeebie to employees away. Even if the employee didn't get holiday pay Thanksgiving was the last day of rest before the long hours of Christmas insanity and now it's being taken away.


As for people who come from a different culture are you kidding me? Thanksgiving is what you make it. It's a day to be thankful for what you have. Buddists can thank Buddah, Hindi's can thanks their gods, Muslims can thank Allah, Christians and jew can thank God and Athiests can Darwin for our evolved brains to cook that turkey to tastey golden brown perfection. Even liberals have to love this holiday because it's all inclusive.

Don't like your family? Spend it with friends. Don't have family and fiends? Stay in your shack in the wood and work on your manifesto. There are lots of things to do other than shopping, men are proof of this. In PA lots of people go hunting. I imagine in warm climates you can go to a beach, pool,fishing, sailing. You can work on cars, play candy crush or call of duty,I can tell you my cousin who lives in Hawaii will be hiking and rock climbing because he has no family in Hawaii, and he will be thankful in nature. I don't understand why people don't see this for what it is, good old fashinoned corporate greed and exploitation.

 

[thereisnospoon]

More retailers have announced they will open Thanksgiving Day for your shopping pleasure, so to speak. Is this appropriate?

Should Thanksgiving remain a holiday, unique to America, when families gather together to give thanks, share a meal and create their own Thanksgiving memories and traditions? Or should Thanksgiving be a day when Mom or Dad has to excuse himself and go to work because bargains are offered to shoppers readying themselves for a holiday happening four weeks hence?

Will you shop on Thanksgiving, or will you take advantage of the day and enjoy it with family and friends?

Sometimes bargains are not really worth it, don't you think? If they come at the expense of yours or the clerk's family, are they really bargains at all?

This has been a long time coming.
Let me preface by stating I have NEVER shopped on Black Friday. I have NEVER gotten up at some unGodly hour to go shopping. I hate crowds. I cannot stand the mindless herd mentality of bargain hunters.
With that said, there is a problem here. Working on holidays is nothing new. Public safety personnel, radio and TV people, doctors nurses and other medical personnel...There tons of occupations where there are no holidays. So for retail people to be scheduled to work on Thanksgiving is really not a big deal.
The one issue that will scuttle the anti-working on Thanksgiving thing is the involvement of paid union activists now protesting certain retailers.
The moment unions got involved spelled doom because if there is one way to raise the hackles of the general public and remove all empathy for protesters it is for unions and their operatives to show up.

 

[thereisnospoon]

More retailers have announced they will open Thanksgiving Day for your shopping pleasure, so to speak. Is this appropriate?

Should Thanksgiving remain a holiday, unique to America, when families gather together to give thanks, share a meal and create their own Thanksgiving memories and traditions? Or should Thanksgiving be a day when Mom or Dad has to excuse himself and go to work because bargains are offered to shoppers readying themselves for a holiday happening four weeks hence?

Will you shop on Thanksgiving, or will you take advantage of the day and enjoy it with family and friends?

Sometimes bargains are not really worth it, don't you think? If they come at the expense of yours or the clerk's family, are they really bargains at all?

Thanksgiving for us has traditionally been a time to reconnect with family and enjoy a sumptious repast that we determinably choose not to see as gluttenous.

But in all honesty Nosmo, for years I worked for hospitals that required periodic weekend and holiday duty and sometimes my shift would fall on Thanksgiving or Christmas or other special occasion. We just shifted whatever celebrations we had around my schedule at such times. And I appreciated the free time and/or double pay that I got for pulling duty at those times.

And now I don't have that problem, but we have folks come for the food and hugs on Thanksgiving, but an afternoon of sitting around in a stuffed stupor watching football just isn't their bag. So, unless they are into card or board games, they do go out after the noon meal and go to a movie or go shopping or do something else that is more fun for them. I see that as quality family time too and would rather them be enjoying themselves than wishing it all was just over.

Different strokes for different folks. Retailers won't open on Thanksgiving unless there is a proftable result from that and apparently there is. And those folks I know who work in retailing generally do so on a volunteer or short shift basis and they almost always get extra pay or extra time off for pulling that duty. None of them I've talked to mind it at all.

I see where you're coming from and how you're missing the traditions of the past. But almost nothing ever stays the same and judging from activity in the grocery stores ahead of Thanksgiving, I would say Thanksgiving is still being celebrated a lot.

I know there are folks employed at absolutely necessary workplaces like hospitals, fire stations, police precinct headquarters and ambulance services. But should retailers come up to that threshold? Should profits trump family?

"Should profits trump family?"
That's a good question....
Here's the answer to the issue.
If consumers would simply decide to not shop on Thanksgiving, then the stores would not open.

 

[Uncensored2008]

I love Thanksgiving. Watching it that is. I love Thanksgiving themed shows and the decorations. The food, delicious though it is, is really just food. There's nothing special about stuffing your face. Same with Christmas. I love looking at it.

I'm sorry that you had bad family experiences.

I'm a good cook, no really I am, made it on MasterChef (cut first round). So I like cooking a nice Thanksgiving meal. I make great dressing and outrageously good gravy. Baby reds smashed with cream cheese. Wifey makes great cranberries. I bake a lemon meringue and she a pecan pie... Good stuff.

Then we eat, drink fine wine, and enjoy life...

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Thanksgiving for us has traditionally been a time to reconnect with family and enjoy a sumptious repast that we determinably choose not to see as gluttenous.

But in all honesty Nosmo, for years I worked for hospitals that required periodic weekend and holiday duty and sometimes my shift would fall on Thanksgiving or Christmas or other special occasion. We just shifted whatever celebrations we had around my schedule at such times. And I appreciated the free time and/or double pay that I got for pulling duty at those times.

And now I don't have that problem, but we have folks come for the food and hugs on Thanksgiving, but an afternoon of sitting around in a stuffed stupor watching football just isn't their bag. So, unless they are into card or board games, they do go out after the noon meal and go to a movie or go shopping or do something else that is more fun for them. I see that as quality family time too and would rather them be enjoying themselves than wishing it all was just over.

Different strokes for different folks. Retailers won't open on Thanksgiving unless there is a proftable result from that and apparently there is. And those folks I know who work in retailing generally do so on a volunteer or short shift basis and they almost always get extra pay or extra time off for pulling that duty. None of them I've talked to mind it at all.

I see where you're coming from and how you're missing the traditions of the past. But almost nothing ever stays the same and judging from activity in the grocery stores ahead of Thanksgiving, I would say Thanksgiving is still being celebrated a lot.

I know there are folks employed at absolutely necessary workplaces like hospitals, fire stations, police precinct headquarters and ambulance services. But should retailers come up to that threshold? Should profits trump family?

"Should profits trump family?"
That's a good question....
Here's the answer to the issue.
If consumers would simply decide to not shop on Thanksgiving, then the stores would not open.

Profits DO trump family and you're right. Stay home, refuse to be suckered in to the WalMart rush and it would all change.

That's another reason for shopping in bits an pieces all year long. You spend a lot less money and you do it on your terms.

And screw the Made In China bunch.

 

[High_Gravity]

I love Thanksgiving. Watching it that is. I love Thanksgiving themed shows and the decorations. The food, delicious though it is, is really just food. There's nothing special about stuffing your face. Same with Christmas. I love looking at it.

I'm sorry that you had bad family experiences.

I'm a good cook, no really I am, made it on MasterChef (cut first round). So I like cooking a nice Thanksgiving meal. I make great dressing and outrageously good gravy. Baby reds smashed with cream cheese. Wifey makes great cranberries. I bake a lemon meringue and she a pecan pie... Good stuff.

Then we eat, drink fine wine, and enjoy life...

Thats how its done.

 

[Nosmo King]

Thanksgiving for us has traditionally been a time to reconnect with family and enjoy a sumptious repast that we determinably choose not to see as gluttenous.

But in all honesty Nosmo, for years I worked for hospitals that required periodic weekend and holiday duty and sometimes my shift would fall on Thanksgiving or Christmas or other special occasion. We just shifted whatever celebrations we had around my schedule at such times. And I appreciated the free time and/or double pay that I got for pulling duty at those times.

And now I don't have that problem, but we have folks come for the food and hugs on Thanksgiving, but an afternoon of sitting around in a stuffed stupor watching football just isn't their bag. So, unless they are into card or board games, they do go out after the noon meal and go to a movie or go shopping or do something else that is more fun for them. I see that as quality family time too and would rather them be enjoying themselves than wishing it all was just over.

Different strokes for different folks. Retailers won't open on Thanksgiving unless there is a proftable result from that and apparently there is. And those folks I know who work in retailing generally do so on a volunteer or short shift basis and they almost always get extra pay or extra time off for pulling that duty. None of them I've talked to mind it at all.

I see where you're coming from and how you're missing the traditions of the past. But almost nothing ever stays the same and judging from activity in the grocery stores ahead of Thanksgiving, I would say Thanksgiving is still being celebrated a lot.

I know there are folks employed at absolutely necessary workplaces like hospitals, fire stations, police precinct headquarters and ambulance services. But should retailers come up to that threshold? Should profits trump family?

"Should profits trump family?"
That's a good question....
Here's the answer to the issue.
If consumers would simply decide to not shop on Thanksgiving, then the stores would not open.

it would take a majority of the expected crowds to sit on their hands. Given a big enough bargain, shoppers will make the run to the stores as if bulls were chasing them through the streets. Of course there are plenty of folks who see the foolishness of frantic shopping, and given. The chance to relax with kith and kin they will decide that Christmas bargains can wait. After all, Christmas is four weeks from Thanksgiving. Why ruin one holiday when another is just a month off?

 

[thereisnospoon]

Before my son I spent it with my dogs and going to a food pantry to give out food or similar place a show my gratitude by helping others. Now I spend it with my boy and the dogs play music and decorate my tree. My shopping is done throughout the year when I see a bargain. Thanksgiving is a state of being rather than a holiday for me.

Decorate your tree? I'm assuming its an artificial tree. I tagged my Christmas tree on the Saturday before Veteran's Day. It's a good time to make a selection. Sometime around the 14th of December I'll go back and have it cut down, shaken and bailed. It goes in the tree stand within 45 minutes of felling it. The freshest tree with the best aroma and it will last looking great until New Year's Day when all the Christmas stuff gets packed away.

Actually there are a couple of species of trees sold for Christmas trees that with proper watering, last over a month. The most popular is the Fraser Fir.
I asked a sales clerk at Lowes when their first delivery of trees is due. She told me Nov 22nd.
I had never seen Christmas decorations on homes before the middle of December. When I moved to the South, I saw people decorating Thanksgiving weekend.
I put up my lights when I decide to do so.
That's usually around the 10th or so. Weather permitting.

 

[koshergrl]

I once had my christmas tree up until Easter.

I had a friend come into my house with a buddy, and forcibly remove the tree, lolol. Every needle had fallen off by the time it got to the front door.

Sigh.

Then I went through a fake tree period.

Now I'm all about noble firs.

 

[syrenn]

If you don't want to shop on Thanksgiving....don't do it

But I feel sorry for the employees who have to leave their families to work in that Black Friday (now Thursday) madness.

The stores should kick them back some of the profit they make on Thanksgiving. Either set aside 1-2% of sales to go to employees or else give them a gift certificate they can use for Christmas

is it being in sales that you feel sorry for them....or having to work?

should hotel and hospital staff get kick backs from profits because they had to work? How about fire and police men... there of course is no profit in that at all...

 

[Nosmo King]

Before my son I spent it with my dogs and going to a food pantry to give out food or similar place a show my gratitude by helping others. Now I spend it with my boy and the dogs play music and decorate my tree. My shopping is done throughout the year when I see a bargain. Thanksgiving is a state of being rather than a holiday for me.

Decorate your tree? I'm assuming its an artificial tree. I tagged my Christmas tree on the Saturday before Veteran's Day. It's a good time to make a selection. Sometime around the 14th of December I'll go back and have it cut down, shaken and bailed. It goes in the tree stand within 45 minutes of felling it. The freshest tree with the best aroma and it will last looking great until New Year's Day when all the Christmas stuff gets packed away.

Actually there are a couple of species of trees sold for Christmas trees that with proper watering, last over a month. The most popular is the Fraser Fir.
I asked a sales clerk at Lowes when their first delivery of trees is due. She told me Nov 22nd.
I had never seen Christmas decorations on homes before the middle of December. When I moved to the South, I saw people decorating Thanksgiving weekend.
I put up my lights when I decide to do so.
That's usually around the 10th or so. Weather permitting.

I buy my tree from a grower less than ten minutes from my house. Hie trees, along with the other Christmas tree farms in the area are a sustainable crop. They provide the growers with supplemental income and allow them to grow a crop on what would otherwise be nearly unaerable ground. Only orchards and Christmas tree seem to grow on our steep slopes and clay soil. I don't doubt that my tree, harvested ten days before Christmas would last until Super Bowl Sunday if only I could bear to have it around for six weeks!

There is one home in town that decorates early, then keeps them up late. Pop and I used to wager on when the lights and tinsel might come down. Usually I would pick Groundhog's Day, but Pop would take St. Valentine's Day and win more often than not.

 

[rightwinger]

If you don't want to shop on Thanksgiving....don't do it

But I feel sorry for the employees who have to leave their families to work in that Black Friday (now Thursday) madness.

The stores should kick them back some of the profit they make on Thanksgiving. Either set aside 1-2% of sales to go to employees or else give them a gift certificate they can use for Christmas

is it being in sales that you feel sorry for them....or having to work?

should hotel and hospital staff get kick backs from profits because they had to work? How about fire and police men... there of course is no profit in that at all...

Good point

But I think it is different in that hotels and hospitals are open 24/7....it is expected

These stores are creating "events" to churn more profit. That profit is dependent on your pulling your low paid employees away from their families and throwing them into a madhouse of crazed shoppers

I think bonus pay or store credit is warranted