Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving... or Black Thursday?



I always hated Black Friday.  When my kids were young, the thought of taking them into the crowded stores just to get a good sale never appealed to me.  I always made a point to stay home all day that day, baking and doing crafts with the kids.  Sometimes we would host team sleepovers.

The last few years have seen an appalling development.  The hours got so early into the morning that some stores were opening at midnight.  This meant that many store employees would have to leave their family dinners early to prepare for the midnight opening.  I started to call it Black Thursday.

This year, several major retailers are opening at 10 PM Thursday night, and some even at 8 PM.  This means that Thanksgiving is now ruined not only for employees, but for the families whose gatherings will end early because someone wants to go stand in line to get a good sale.  “Sorry Mom, I just have to get to this sale.  I promise to get you a really nice designer pocketbook.  Love you, bye.”

The only way for this madness to stop is if the people don’t go to these sales.  Even if a small percentage stands up for their beliefs with their actions and this does not impact the stores, what parents decide to do will make an impression on their children.  Do we place a higher value on family and special traditions, or do we value material things more?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21

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