It's that time of year again...the holiday season. Within a blink of an eye, the iconic turkey day has already passed. And after a mere four weeks of time, Christmas will have done the same. As I've settled into adulthood, I can't help but feel that the "fast forward-ness" of life only becomes more so around this time of year. I oftentimes wonder if it was always this way for past generations as well. When there weren't families of iGear to keep us distracted and countless opportunities to abandon quality time in the name of huge holiday savings, did the time fly quite as quickly? I think this is worth investigating.
We humans are so good at creating debates of all kinds. So, with this year's holiday season came the debate about whether it's reasonable for retailers to open on Thanksgiving night to start the crazed gift buying process. I am of the mind in most cases that we all deserve the right to decide for ourselves what works and what doesn't, always with some thought about those around us. However, I struggle with this one a bit because it seems to fit into the larger trends of consumerism and materialism, which seem to always only weaken the somewhat antiquated tradition of family and quality time. The temptation to run out and catch the amazing sales seems even more of an issue now that the economy has tanked and decided to laze in the hammock named ebb for a time. Even those with the best intentions of keeping company with friends and family, watching the holiday football offerings, eating leftovers, taking walks, etc., can hardly pass up an offer to reward those same loved ones with the fruits of Black Friday. And then, just in case we happen to miss anything in our supermarket sweep on Black Friday, we thankfully have Cyber Monday to make up for our mistakes.
Perhaps it's too idealistic or old-fashioned to think this way, but what if we invested all of this time we put into Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the perfect gift, the perfect decorations, etc., into coming up with the best way to spend the holiday season with our families and friends? Plan a game night or two, plan a special dinner where everyone can pitch in and have fun doing so, find some time to just be with those around us instead of desperately searching for the perfect gifts? It's amazing what a little time together can do, so take an evening or two this holiday season and try it out!
1 comment:
Couldn't agree more here! I am making some special gifts for loved ones this year, instead of purchasing things. :)
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