A personal note: Chances are, the folks who obsess over Black Friday are too busy shopping to read this, but I would urge everyone to scale back a bit. Must we force retail employees to cut their celebrations short in order to open their doors at 4:00 am on Black Friday or even on Thanksgiving evening? Just think about it. (Stepping down from my soapbox now.)
The day after Thanksgiving brings holidays related to the shopping season, notably the infamous Black Friday. Kudos to you if you camped out for days to get the best deal on a new flat-screen TV. No kudos to you if you elbowed people aside, used pepper spray (really, someone did that, last year!), or worse. Never forget the true meaning of the holiday season.
At the opposing end of the philosophical spectrum is Buy Nothing Day. Just relax, reflect on yesterday's celebration, retain your healthy bank balance, and stay away from the mob scene.
You're Welcomegiving (or simply You're Welcome Day) logically follows Thanksgiving, if you think about it.
The day after Thanksgiving also brings a food-related holiday. Brought to you by the International Association of People Who Dine over the Kitchen Sink, today is Sinkie Day! Enjoy those no-muss, no-fuss holiday leftovers.
National Day of Listening is the time to thank a special teacher by recording your experiences online. A U.S. map features states that turn brighter orange as more citizens participate.
Native American Heritage Day is always observed on the day after Thanksgiving, just as the National Day of Mourning is always observed on Thanksgiving.
Yet another post-Thanksgiving holiday is Flossing Day. The National Flossing Council asks everyone to "Help Spread Peace of Mouth."
A holiday has been proposed for November 23rd - TARDIS Day - commemorating the date in 1963 when the BBC aired the first episode of "Doctor Who." You can help, by signing this petition. Clever clever writers, creating a character who regenerates, enabling the show to go on and on and on, thus ensuring the writers' long-term employment....
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,... Today is the day to celebrate this odd sequence, known as Fibonacci numbers. Have you figured out the formula? Each number is the sum of the previous two. Happy spirals to you on Fibonacci Day.
Espresso yourself! Today is National Espresso Day. You might need to fortify yourself with lots of caffeine, if you're braving the throngs at the mall today.
The fourth Friday in November is Maize Day, honoring the importance of corn in indigenous cultures.
Eat a Cranberry Day always falls on November 23rd, but this year it's especially timely, because there's nothing better than a turkey sammich with mayo and cranberry sauce on the day after Thanksgiving! I don't think many people eat just one cranberry, as the holiday seems to dictate, although I did that once. When I was maybe eight years old, one of my friends swore that fresh cranberries were the yummiest thing ever. Yeah, she laughed while I puckered.
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As far as I'm concerned, you can get right back up there on that soapbox. Thanksgiving has all but disappeared in the mad rush to get Christmas under way! I don't mind that most people have their houses decorated in red and green by Thanksgiving Day, some who whip out the holly berry china, and others who have crossed everyone off their lists and have a stack of neatly wrapped gifts in the living room. No, it's the fact that retailers are so anxious to get those hungry shoppers into THEIR stores that they are opening on the holiday itself, a day that should be spent enjoying family and friends, feasting, and GIVING THANKS, for Heaven's sake.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not work for a retailer, I do work for an organization that is always open, and for many, many years, until I built up my seniority, I was forced to work on Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Day, too. I make a good salary, and made twice as much on those days, but...it was NOT worth it. Sure, there were a few souls who volunteered their services, for the money, but most of us would much rather have been at home with our families.
I have a lot more I could say on this subject, but this soapbox is getting crowded. Stepping off now.