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Holidays:  Thanksgiving & Christmas... And ALL Holidays!  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 1:54:45 PM
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Hi girls -
My husband and I had a couple of hours to ourselves the other day, so we turned on the television. WOW were we shocked by all the Christmas commercials! And how about that one automobile commercial that shows the turkey with the hypnotizing red swirl behind him, who tries to tell you that you will not be eating turkey this year, instead you'll be buying a car! EGHADS!!! When did Thanksgiving change from a day of THANKS GIVING to a day of turkey to a day of car buying?! Something is askew! I was really disgusted. I don't know how you feel, but I think it's worse this year than it has been any other year in the past. Even our light-up night at the mall always fell the weekend just after Thanksgiving... but this year, it fell on the first week of November!!!
My husband and I were reminiscing about all the excitement we felt years ago on the days leading up to Thanksgiving... How it was a special time for family and friends to come together to thank God for all of His blessings, and to celebrate having each other in our lives. It was a historical day on many levels, but mostly a day for just saying, "Thank you." Nowadays, it's glazed over as if it's nothing more than a huge day of "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" and bargain hunting.
I couldn't help myself: before I knew it, I had started a little rant to my family. How horrific it is to me how the retailers have completely flipped the true meaning of the holiday (which, as we all know, really signifies a holy day!), and how crazy people have become about getting a bargain. They end up spending less on items which are supposedly marked down (shopping throughout the year has always given me a better deal), but they also end up blowing all their so-called "savings" on additional "deals" and unplanned items, usually to the point of blowing their budget or running up credit cards beyond their ken (or, rather, beyond their "can pay!")! Before they even realize it, everyone ends up broke or in debt to the hilt. Then, all they have on Christmas morning, is a mound of wasted paper, boxes galore that do not get recycled, and a whole bunch of junk that never gets played with, worn or used. SO much of the "celebration" ends up pitched in the garbage at some point, or donated to Goodwill. It's insane. And then everyone just wants to go out shopping again after Christmas for more junk. Ugh. The thing is, this isn't even what Christmas is truly about!!! When did the fun part of Christmas become Christmas itself?! I just threw up my hands in disgust.
My husband, having sat there ever so quietly - stoically, actually - throughout my verbal tirade looked at me, took a deep breath and said:
"I'm just waiting for Thanksgiving to be re-named 'Black Friday Eve!'"
Ugh... I would've laughed had it not been so true. Perish the thought!
Why is this happening? I've heard everything from it being the fault of greedy retailers, to people just having such financial difficulty that they have to take advantage of these sales when they are offered, regardless of when they occur. But, personally, I think it's more because of a lack of knowledge and understanding about the true meaning behind our holiday celebrations. This goes not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for other days like July 4th, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, etc... Most people see these days as days to celebrate having a day off of work - a reason to party or to spend money or nurture romance. Those things are all well and good; they're fun and they're great ways to bring families and friends together! But truly, each one of these holidays are so much more than what most people celebrate. Is this a uniquely American phenomenon, I wonder?
And I have to ask those of you of different faiths: Are YOUR holy days and celebrations affected like these others? How - in what ways? And how do you keep the true meaning of your holidays from being sullied, watered down or forgotten?
The true meaning of all of these celebrations is not all we are losing, either. I believe the greatest disservice we do is to ourselves, as we are completely forgetting the truth about and value of who we are!
I think we need to start some sort of movement! Not just to keep people mindful of the true meaning of THANKSGiving an CHRISTmas, but also about all the other holidays we celebrate in this country! That would include education about celebrations of ALL the faiths, as well as the different federal holidays we observe! What do you think? Perhaps by educating each other, we will effect a positive change in the way people think about the observances and their profound meanings - and maybe even about each other! In the process, perhaps we can change the way people think about the holidays like Thanksgiving and the others, and change the crazy way Christmas has been turned into a gift-giving bonanza rather than the Holy Day it truly is.
And I, for one, would love to learn more about the other religious celebrations we all celebrate. For example, I know a little bit about Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan and Samhain and Kwaanza, to name a few. Through the eyes and heart of our farmgirl sisters, the deep meaning and beauty of those celebrations will surely come alive for all of us!
So, what do you think? Anybody with me? No judgment, just education leading to deeper understanding and respect... Let's take the commercialism and misunderstanding out of our holidays, and put the heart back in!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Nov 22 2015 2:02:57 PM |
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RedClover
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Christina
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 2:33:39 PM
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I completely agree with you, Nini! It feels as though every holiday has become overly commercialized. My family used to spend thanksgiving together, cooking, eating, and enjoying each others company. Now they want to hurry up, eat, and go shopping for deals. I refuse to go shopping on thanksgiving or black Friday! For Christmas It was getting to the point, that gift giving felt like a competition of who could outdo who, and less about the true spirit of Christmas. I found myself stressed out and unhappy. I told my husband and children that this year we are scaling way back, and instead of celebrating "things", we will be focusing more on quality time with family and celebrating our Holy day.
Farmgirl #6543 |
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Denise Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
831 Posts
Denise
Shoreview
MN
USA
831 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 3:43:45 PM
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I ams sad that Thanksgiving has become another holiday, shoved to the back burner and is just a stepping stone to black friday. I would volunteer to work on black friday so I could avoid the pull to go shopping. The first black friday that the local Target was open early for I think 6 or 7 am, I stopped in to pick up a couple of snacks and there were maybe 7 people there. I got a fee ornament, I think raggedy Ann. The next year people were lined up outside, so silly. Now i go to breakfast with my sister and a niece and go to joann fabrics, which is absolutely insane, but not early in the morning and only if there is something we really need.
I'm not buying as much and I am planning to make a lot of my gifts this year.
Denise Ann |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
6951 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
6951 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2015 : 6:21:30 PM
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Nini, I have to agree with you. To me it almost feels like Thanksgiving no longer exists. As soon as Halloween is over… BAM Christmas. It truly makes me sad because I love Thanksgiving and being able to spend time with my family and discuss the things we truly are thankful for. Today I saw a commercial for Wal-Mart. They stated that they will begin black Friday shopping hours as 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. First of all how can it be black Friday shopping if we are starting on Thursday. Also I am not even done eating Thanksgiving dinner with my family by 6.These new black Friday hours cause people to hurry their family time in order to buy gifts. In the end you can’t get the missed time with family back. The last thing that truly drives me nuts is the poor people who work retail and with each year are losing less and less time with their families just so they can support others black Friday crazy shopping spree. I remember things being way different as a child. Our society has changed so drastically and not for the better.
Krista |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2015 : 12:22:59 AM
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For years (about ten) our family has been without tv,so I can only imagine what is on there. With that said, I still understand what you are saying. As my children andi study the various countries and their Christmas traditions, we have noticed a few things. For one, almost all the countries so far (we have loked at Australia, Africa, Asia,andnumerousin Europe so far) celebrate some form of Santa Claus... But on St Nicholas Day in the beginning of December. They SEPARATE Santa from Christmas! Secondly, if more gifts are exchanged, it is normally done on Christmas Eve or on Three Kings Day (Jauary sixth, I think). If they put their shoes or stockings out on Christmas Eve, itis often for the Chrst Child to fill.
As for Black Friday... I have friends that work at retail stores. One store in particular states that ALL employees must work on Blacck Friday. You are not allowed to have vacation or a day off on that day. Even if you are part time help and only normally work the weekend, you HAVE to work Friday, or your job is history! It is very much so the "almighty dollar.". The main holidays that seem to be really pushed, from a retail perspective, are Easter,Halloween, and Christmas. All three target children... Candy, clothing (costumes included), and gifts.
Our family tries to spend at least the month of December focusing our school on the true meaning of Christmas. Sadly, I often fail at doing the same for the other holidays... We only spend a week on Thanksgiving and a week on Easter. The rest, if we do anything special, only get a day... Even the mlitary holidays sadly do not get more than a day from us, and we are military! Part of me wants to say it is because we are busy, but truth be told, if I/we are so busy that we cannot find the time to celebrate the true meaning of these nationally recognized dates, especially for our family Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, then my/our priorities are messed up. If I cannot separate the commercialism from the true reason, I am pathetic as a Christian and an American.
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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Denise Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
831 Posts
Denise
Shoreview
MN
USA
831 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2015 : 04:07:26 AM
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Shannon,
I would only disagree about one thing you said. You are not pathetic as a christian or an american. You are very thoughtful, kind and caring person. You obviously put a great deal of thought into your home school lessons. I think that looking at how other countries celebrate Christmas, is a great way of showing what the holiday os truly about, family, reflection, different foods etc. I wish it was still that way for the majority of us. It was different when I was a kid, the friday after thanks giving was for going down town, seeing the store window displays, meeting my grandma for lunch at Woolworth's (they had a great lunch counter) and seeing santa on the 8th floor of Dayton's. They had a great display, a different story or theme each year. At least they still had this when my daughter was little and she has some of the same memories.
Do not e hard on yourself, I think you are doing a great thing for your kids, exposing them to the things that are most important.
Denise Ann |
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RedClover
Farmgirl in Training
45 Posts
Christina
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2015 : 10:07:24 AM
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Oh my goodness, Shannon :(. You are absolutely NOT a pathetic Christian or American!! I haven't been here long, but you strike me as a very kind and thoughtful person, who is doing a wonderful job of home schooling her children! I also really like the idea of teaching about different cultural traditions. My family observes St. Nicholas Day, as well as Christmas, and I'll admit that I do enjoy the trees, lights, meaningful gift giving, and making family memories.
Farmgirl #6543 |
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hudsonsinaf
True Blue Farmgirl
3162 Posts
Shannon
Rozet
Wyoming
USA
3162 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2015 : 10:19:00 AM
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ugh sorry guys - and thank you - that was not where i was trying to go.... though I will say that I think it is my "duty"/obligation as both a Christian and an American to quit being "busy" with non essential "stuff" and focus more where I/we need to.
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 09:20:41 AM
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First off, WONDERFUL idea Nini! We need to rescue our HOLI-days from the crazy, meaningless $-days that they've become. To me, the week leading up to Christmas and the week after are the worst. I become so disheartened and depressed going out and shopping during the holiday season. People are rude and frantic, no one seems to have fun most of the time, it seems. Anything that I can order online or for pick-up ahead of the crush, is what I love doing the most. So, we limit our exposure to the madness as much as possible. I am such a weird mix of faiths and traditions. But I celebrate life and joy most of all. There is some thing magical about Midnight Mass to me, no matter how far afield I become spiritually. No gift or promise of a good deal can compare with the candlelight and that hushed moment just before the voices raise in song. No matter if a person worships on the solstice or on Christmas (I love all holidays) whether it be the turning of the year and the promise of the light or the birth of the Christ child. Is it not all about promise and joy? I choose to see it all combined and love all of it. We are losing our joy, our peace and meaning and our touch with the divine. We are losing our self to the cold lure of money and have been led to believe that that IS meaning. Several of my friend and family with kids have started what we all call the rule of 4. Kids get 4 gifts at Christmas from their parents. Something they want, something they need, something to share and something to read. Other friends and family members spoil the kids crazy, but we have been trying to tame the crazy down a bit. Usually this ends up with the parents giving smaller gifts and going out for hot chocolate and stuff leading up to Christmas, which is better, because at least you are spending time together as a family.
I've invited a couple of people over Friday. We are going to have RACK-Friday. Oven rack Friday. We are going to bring finger food and bake!bake!bake! We are pre-shopping so that we have plenty of everything plus some, for baking. I have a tiny house, so it'll be one heck of a mess, but MUCH better than being out in the madness. I know that this is a bit off topic Nini, but I wanted to agree and support that we need to rescue our Holidays from the commercial monster.
Love all of you. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 1:39:59 PM
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Christina - Like you, I have such WONDERFUL memories of childhood Thanksgivings! There were always tables and card tables and even coffee tables full of family and friends getting together to celebrate the blessings bestowed upon us! The kitchen was always a-buzz with activity - and NOT limited to the women, either - the men had their specialties to create as well! And I loved how everyone who came to the door had arms filled with good things to enjoy! To me, it was the beginning of a wonderful season of love... I refuse to let the world steal that from me and my family! Even if it's just me, my husband and son for dinner, we are going to do it right, especially remembering the blessings for which we are thankful!
Denise - I think that is just so nice that you get together with your neice and sister on Black Friday! I don't really mind that people shop on Black Friday, and I'm always up for a reason to get out with the girls for "coffee and..." What bothers me, as I'm sure it does you, is the way some are just overlooking Thanksgiving all together! I only went out for Black Friday one time. My neighbor insisted I share in her annual tradition of so-doing, touting it as exhilarating and a real money-saver. Our first stop was Wally World. OMGosh - what is up with THAT?! I decided right then and there that that was my last time out in the trenches like that. I basically carried around her bags while she shopped, and then thoroughly enjoyed an extra large Peppermint Mocha something-or-other from Gloria Jeans. That was A-OK for me! :) I usually spend Black Friday crafting or baking or something like that. I don't even go out of the house if I don't have to! People are always welcome to drop by for a visit, of course; but those Black Friday drivers are waaaay too much for me! ;)
I'm so totally with you, Krista. On all levels. The only thing that we DO like to do on Thanksgiving night is to pack up everyone in cars and go to the county fairgrounds to enjoy the lights, see the live Nativity and enjoy a nice hot cup of cider or cocoa. It's just a nice way to end the day and start the Christmas season. But even then, the people there are volunteers who really enjoy what they're doing, and it's at night, so they have all already been able to enjoy Thanksgiving with their loved ones. If we don't go out to see the lights, though, it's not the end of the world. We also enjoy snuggling up to watch a good movie together at home. :)
Shannon - Someone here recently told me that where they work it is mandatory for everyone to work on Thanksgiving, and if you don't, you're terminated - no questions asked. How HORRIBLE to have to try to have any type of holiday celebration under such pressure to work! Do people forget the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol?" Sure, we're talking Thanksgiving and not Christmas, but geez - the premise is the same! And let me just say that I am SURE that YOU of all people are doing just great with what you ARE doing! ;) You GO girl, and just know that God is always pleased with any and all of the good things we do! You are only human! You do what you can, and what you can do and do do is absolutely the best you can do! I think you ROCK sister! :) Anyhow, I just loved when we did the study about Christmas celebrations around the world. The one thing that struck me most was just how un-Holy it has become here in this country. Sad. Very sad.
Christina - When you have time, will you please tell us more about your St. Nicholas Day celebration? That would be awesome! :)
Annika - I love the fullness of your holiday celebrations! Life and joy! AWESOME!!! I love Midnight Mass, too - always have, ever since I was a little girl. It just brings such a holy joy into one's heart. And you are so right on so many points... I just love your Rule of 4, too. I know it's a bit religious, but I have just posted about "The Tradition of Three Gifts of Christmas" here: http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=71286 You might really enjoy reading about it! :) Now that our son is grown, he really doesn't want or need anything - he pretty much works and buys things for himself! So, this year, for us, it's going to be a little different on Christmas morning. But I kind of like it, because over the past few years as he was growing, the focus has become less and less about the fun part of Christmas and more and more about its deeper meaning. And then, of course, getting together with family and friends has always been my favorite "fun" part of the holiday, aside from our religious observances. I am totally with you on that! I love the idea of RACK Friday! That is just soooo awesome! I bet you all have a blast when you get together! THAT is SUCH a better alternative to the secular gimme frenzy! LOVE it!
Please be sure to post your about your holiday celebrations and traditions, either here in this strain or as its own post in the "Holidays" topic, girls! I think that would be such a great thing for all of us farmgirls to share!
Hugs and love -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Denise Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
831 Posts
Denise
Shoreview
MN
USA
831 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 8:03:06 PM
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Nini,
I only one time wen to the mall of america with a friend and her husband for black friday. Now this was before the mayhem started on Thanksgiving. The shops opened early (9:00 am). It was the longest day of my life. I bought one thing (for myself), couldn't find one thing that was on my daughters list that year... By the time we left, early evening, my friend and her husband were arguing, about the amount of money that was spent, and presents for someones niece or something. I would have walked back home by the time we left so that I didn't have to listen to the whining and arguing, mind you there were no children accompanying us, well maybe my friends husband would have qualified as the "child". I have never darkened the door of the Mall of America on black friday again. That was when I decided to volunteer to work on black friday, then I could just say I had to work!
I do enjoy shopping with my sister and niece, my daughter usually goes with her husband or has already finished all of her shopping before hand, not sure were she got that from, obviously not her mother.
I am happy to have time with my family on thanks giving and enjoy the time with them, then deal with the craziness of my choice.
Denise Ann |
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2015 : 10:58:24 PM
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I love this discussion. Since we can't change anyone else's behavior. I just go about celebrating with Thanksgiving to God. I don't shop much during the season except mail order. I put on soft music, bake what my family likes and pretty much try to ignore what the tv and stores do. We take hikes, look at pretty lights, etc. in other words make our own holidays. It makes for my peace on earth.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 8:22:23 PM
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LOL! Denise - isn't that just the truth! With some crazy, you just don't have a choice! ;)
I love it, Bonnie! You are right on: we really do need to make our own peace on earth! LOVE that! And love your way of making the holidays bright! You are just too cool for words!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
www.papercraftingwithnini.ctmh.com
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2015 : 9:55:07 PM
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Aw, Nini... thanks.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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Holidays: Thanksgiving & Christmas... And ALL Holidays! |
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Thanksgiving & Christmas... And ALL Holidays!
