Hi, everyone! Every now and then we write about something here on the blog that has struck a nerve. At the risk of alienating some many of you, I have to do a little venting today. I want my Thanksgiving back. It’s my favorite holiday of the year, and dog gone it, it is slowly slipping away. It’s falling into the black hole of early Christmas decorations. Am I the only one who feels this way???
Before we downsized to our townhouse in the city, we lived in a lovely cul de sac home in the suburbs. A huge white house sat on the street in front of us, and they loved Christmas and all of its glory. Each year teams of decorators, along with cherry picker trucks, and electrical trucks showed up, and their house became a beautiful Christmas wonderland. In fact, it was so bright that it could probably be viewed from outer space. They normally put their decorations up in mid-November and turned them on over the Thanksgiving holiday. Well, I drove past that house today and was stunned when I saw that they are completely decorated for Christmas. Knowing what an ordeal it is, I’m guessing that they started in mid-October. Really???? As soon as I came home, I sat down at my computer and started typing this post. (I hope I don’t regret it.)
Don’t get me wrong. I understand that bloggers want to share Christmas decorations early so that people can get ideas, pin things, and plan how they will decorate their own homes. I really get that. I also understand that Christmas is most peoples’ favorite holiday, and you want to savor it as much as possible. However, as a blogger I just can’t put my decorations out before my favorite holiday. I still put out the Christmas decorations in real time…..as in December.
When we were first married, a couple on our street put their Christmas tree up over Thanksgiving week-end. Everyone in the neighborhood thought that was weird. Now, I’m the weird one because I don’t have our tree up for Thanksgiving. In fact, I try to wait till the second week in December because I like a real tree that will stay fresh till the end of the month.
I am also disgusted that stores are now opening with special sales on Thanksgiving day. That means people who work in those stores have to give up family time to help support that family. Shoppers can opt to go to the mall or not on Thanksgiving, but the employees are pretty much expected to be there to serve the customers. I read that many of the Thanksgiving day “bargains” aren’t really bargains after all. The same items can be purchased at the same price at sales during the year.
For me, the Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving. That’s when I start listening to holiday tunes, drinking tea from my Christmas mug, burning my Christmas candles, wearing my red plaid pajamas, and watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. That’s when I take off my blinders and start enjoying the stores’ Christmas decorations. Am I the only one?
Please let me know what you think? Are your decorations up? Do you decorate before Thanksgiving? Are you a traditionalist like me who holds back till after Thanksgiving? We would love to hear your opinions.
Richella Parham says
I’m with you, Janette. I do sometimes post something like a Christmas craft before Thanksgiving, but that’s it. I just cannot decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. We usually go buy our live tree sometime during Thanksgiving weekend, but that’s as early as I will go.
Sometimes I wonder if we should go back to really celebrating Advent and not pull out the big gun Christmas decorations until Christmas Eve! My very favorite Christmas memory from when I was growing up was a year that everyone in my Mom’s family went to my uncle and aunt’s house for Christmas. We all got there a couple of days before Christmas, and on Christmas Eve all the kids went out and cut down a Christmas tree. We dragged it back to their house and decorated it with a couple of strands of lights and some precious ornaments. It was glorious–not “Pinterest-worthy,” but absolutely beautiful.
Stick to your guns, girl!
Janette says
That sounds wonderful! When I was young, one of my friends put their tree up on Christmas eve. It was magical.
Gail says
I am with you 100 percent! One holiday at a time, please. Quit stepping on Thanksgiving.
Jen Y says
I am so with you on this one. I don’t ever decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving & often wait for the first or second weekend in December.
I’ve noticed that those who decorate very early end up taking everything down on Christmas Day or even before because they’re tired of it – naturally. Then the winter drags on for them.
I leave my tree up for the new year, sometimes to the 12th day of Christmas. It’s so much fun to enjoy the decorations into January & they are still fresh because I waited.
The only concession I’ve made as I’ve grown older is writing my Christmas letters in November. I write personal letters by hand, not a generic printed letter, to send with my Christmas cards. My hands won’t allow me to write as long as I used to so I start writing them early, address the cards & mail them the first of December.
Rosemary West says
AMEN!
Deena Salvatore says
I love decorating for Fall just as much as decorating for Christmas. This year we had a dinner party at the end of September and for the first time, I got all the Fall decorations up before the week before Thanksgiving! I was in my glory. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around I’ll have enjoyed my Fall decor to the fullest and I’ll be ready to begin decorating for Christmas, but not until “after” Thanksgiving. As for the stores being open Thanksgiving day and Christmas day, it’s disgraceful and unnecessary. No one needs to be shopping or working on a major holiday. Holidays are for families to be together and enjoy each other. We’re loosing that in this country. I remember Sundays as a child when we went to church and spent the rest of the day just being together. Those were truly the good old days. We still enjoy our Sundays that way. Life is hectic every other day of the year. Let’s be thankful on a holiday and Sunday and just relish the happiness of simply spending time “together”. There’s always tomorrow for shopping! Thank you for this very “necessary” post.
Janette says
Deena, we agree completely with each other.
kim says
I’m also one of those who can’t stand the early Christmas. I love Thanksgiving because it is about the food and spending quality time with the family. Going shopping Thanksgiving Day is a crime in my book. No cyber shopping in my house either. If you don’t want to watch football go for a hike.
All the crazy Black Friday sales are nuts too. People camping out in the middle of the night to be the first through the door to buy what? How crazy people are to do this.
Bring back Thanksgiving!
polly says
I agree completely.I think its not a blogger issue. before blogs, in the 70’s -80’s, when I was growing up, Xmas sales decorations were out in store right after Halloween-I think the retailers haveprematurely started advertising the fall holidays early to make us pressured into starting holiday shopping
Polly
polly says
Hi, I enjoy reading your blog and also feel regretful that Thanksgiving gets mushed between Halloween and Christmas! Are there going to be ideas for Hanukkah- gifts, food or decorating?
Polly Zieper
plum1965@gmail.com
Linda Robertson says
Long live Thanksgiving. Is there a movement I can join that would advocate the traditional beginning of Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving? I too keep my blinders on in order to avoid the plague of greed that has invaded our shores. May all of us have a thankful, restful and family Thanksgiving.
Linda
Mary Crain says
I ABSOLUTELY agree with your thoughts!! When stores started to open Thanksgiving I made my promise to not shop. I love that REI is paying their associates to take that day off AND black Friday. Nordstrom does not place one piece of Christmas decoration or play Christmas music until Black Friday. Someone will be getting gifts from both of theses companies. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I don’t decorate until weeks before any holiday. Often it takes planning in a hectic life. Good post today.
Jordan says
I didn’t know that about REI or Nordstrom. It makes me love them even more.
Trish says
Every working mom I know decorates their house and their tree over Thanksgiving weekend, mostly because that is when they have time to do it! Most of us in the real world don’t have a team of decorators coming to do the job, but they are out of the house at a job all day. Every weekend in December is filled with shopping, wrapping, volunteering, family obligations and parties. No time to decorate!
Sandy says
Thank you for your post today. I agree totally. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it Is a time to focus on faith, family (and food), and to think of others in a time of gratitude. What can we do to make our voices heard? It is really upsetting to know people have to work early or very long hours on Thanksgiving. I remember when Thanksgiving had little, if any, focus on consumerism. Sometimes the “good old days” really do seem lovely in their simplicity. Thanks again,
Liz @ Infuse With Liz says
I’m with you 100%! I have been irritated ever since I started blogging with this process. I refuse to bend and will stick to doing it the traditional way. Here and there I pick up something for Christmas decorating but it’s not going up until after Thanksgiving. I think it feels like a competition to see who’s first but I just find it all ridiculous. I have run across a few bloggers already that begin the day after Halloween which just blows my mind. Oh well to each his own. I will savor this time of year and go with the way my mind sees fit.
There’s a growing trend of retailer’s starting to step up to the plate for boycotting Black Thursday. Hooray for that!
Thanks for being brave enough to speak out about this subject!
Lisa S says
God Bless You, Janette! Yes…we should enjoy each holiday in its own season. LOVE it!
Michelle says
Amen.
Gayl says
Totally agree – I had the joy of spending October in Alabama with my daughter. I love the way that her neighborhood embraces fall. It isn’t just the holidays. How about we let our retailers close on Sundays and let families enjoy time together?
Thanks for the forum to vent!
Janette says
I’m all for closing on Sundays. In most European cities and towns, the shops are closed on Mondays and life goes on.
Donna says
We wait until after our boys birthday which is Dec 8 because I didn’t want Christmas to overshadow their big day. And grateful for it, as the mindset of one-holiday-at-a-time suits me. There’s a sad commercial vibe to the house lighting decorations that resemble airport landing strips. Where are all the happy, colorful (& yes, tacky!) Christmas lights? I’m old school, I know that.
Janette says
Donna, our son’s birthday is Dec. 17, and when he was little, we waited till either that day or the day after to put up the tree.
Beth Lowe says
As you know I so strongly agree with Thanksgiving being my favorite holiday.
I saw Christmas shops open in September in London. I grumbled because I enjoy our long Central Kentucky Autumn and I love the way my home looks in the fall. I am on a campaign to slow my life down as much as possible and at the top of this list is making space to bring the Autumn in ending with Thanksgiving. I think this is a worthwhile discussion.
Nancy B says
I too LOVE Thanksgiving. It stems from my Mother making it so special. I love my early morning in my kitchen,(like Mom) preparing my turkey to go into the oven, the Macy’s parade on TV, the glorious smells wafting through the house. The last touches to my Thanksgiving table. Just good food, family and football. My one consessation to Christmas are my candlelites in my windows. With the time change, I love the warm glow of the candles in my windows at 5:30 in the evening.
A Thanksgiving Blessing to all who also love this holiday.
Donnamae says
I’m right there with you Janette! As a matter of fact, just today, I saw a home with their Christmas lights on…and wreaths up! So wrong, in my opinion! Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that deserves to be celebrated…on it’s own! I may put out a small decoration or two the day after Thanksgiving…but our tree doesn’t go up until about Dec. 15th. And there is definitely no shopping on Thanksgiving! To me, it’s our family day, a day to give thanks…and watch football! I can see there are a lot of your readers that agreed with you too! 😉
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Great post! Thanksgiving has such a unifying message which we can ALL celebrate together on the same day. There aren’t many other holidays in that tradition. Respect the bird!!
I DO, however, appreciate and understand people who want to make homemade gifts ~ they have to start that process earlier than after Thanksgiving. So I don’t mind looking at ideas on Pinterest, or having craft items available in Oct. and Nov. And I do pretty much “Christmas shop” all year long. When I find something that seems to be a perfect gift for someone, I always make the purchase. The idea of standing in lines in the freezing cold on Thanksgiving makes no sense to me. “Simplify” seems like such a good idea for all of us. Most of us need less, not more.
Kim says
I totally agree with you and feel the same way. So glad you wrote about it. I couldn’t believe bloggers started posting fall decor in August. What? It was still summer. It is all getting earlier and earlier and then by the time we share it everyone is tired of it. My fall posts were low traffic because the readers were tired of it already. I wish everyone would slow down and enjoy the seasons and holidays one at a time.
Janette says
Yes, it’s all about sloooooooowing down and enjoying the now.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I must say that I agree with you with the stores opening with their midnight sales on Thanksgiving….not giving their employees the gift of being together with their families on that day. I have been a part of Christmas home tours for charity for many years in the past. Decorating every room, trying to give the visitors who generously donate, a tour worth seeing. This meant I had to start decorating way before Christmas in order to finish on time for the tour. The tours were always the very first weekend in December…I do not do the tours any longer. However, with my crazy schedule of travel and activities, I have to start a bit early or i will never get it done. But I do save the outdoors for last. My family always gathers at my sister’s for Thanksgiving. This means over 50 people and so love the this tradition that my dad started many, many years ago. I have really toned down my decor for Christmas. Trying to keep it simple (well as simple as I get!)….I donated about half of my vast collection of Christmas decor to Habitat last year. It truly was a great feeling!….
Janette says
Shirley, your house is always beautiful, and I know it’s a lot of work!
Debbie says
I am TOTALLY with you on this one. I was totally shocked on Sunday, November 1st that
my local Penney’s store was all decked out for Christmas. Insane!!!! Can we not just
savor one holiday at a time anymore?
kathy says
I totally agree with you! Just celebrate each holiday, one at a time. And, savor each one! I don’t shop on Black Friday for many reasons. We decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving with a live tree. I do have those wonderful memories of going into the woods to chop down a Christmas tree and my daddy dragging it back home. I now live in the land of Christmas tree farms (the mountains of Western North Carolina) where we can buy a beautiful tree. I am a little tempted to listen to Christmas music early….maybe when my husband isn’t home.
Terri says
I am totally with you………………….. I love … love my Thanksgiving Holiday!!! And no Christmas decor for our house until after “We Give Thanks”!!
Great Post!!!!1
Beatrice Lutchmiah says
I Totally Agree! I politely asked my neighbor to refrain from her Christmas decor outside till at least the day after her answer was Christmas lights ON THANKSGIVING DAY! Ugh