The Day "The Pinch" Stole Thanksgiving

Over the years our idea of Thanksgiving has evolved has evolved into something that is far different than it was when I was a child.  My greatest fear now, is that by the time my grandchildren are old enough to hold their own Thanksgiving celebrations, that there will be no giving of thanks! If something is not done to keep some of our tradition in tact, I'm afraid Thanksgiving will soon be a thing of the past!

The Thanksgiving celebration, as we know it, were days the Pilgrims celebrated as part of their religion. These celebrations were days of prayer, not days of eating turkey and stuffing their faces (no pun intended). Our national holiday really began from the feast held in the fall of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag as they celebrated the colony's first successful harvest.

For me, Thanksgiving was a day you spent with family and friends enjoying one another's company. This was the one day you were allowed to eat too much, sleep it off and wake up and eat some more. As I got older, we started spending the mornings in church to give thanks to God then we came home to eat too much! I'm sure some of you remember great dinners, football games, flag football and just sitting around laughing and having a good time.  

Then, there was the day after Thanksgiving! This was the day we rearranged the furniture, put up the tree and hung the Christmas lights and stockings!  We at left over turkey and ham sandwiches, finished off the deserts and watched Christmas themed movies.  My favorites were Miracle on 34th Street and Santa Clause Is Coming to Town! But something happened.  Instead of hanging Christmas decorations, we somehow found ourselves in store lines at 3 AM trying to catch the latest, greatest sale. We fought our way through crowds, stood in the cold, walked around all day just to get that bargain item that we know was limited in quantity. We called it Black Friday!  

The term “Black Friday” began back in the 1960's to commemorate the start of the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,”  as our impulse spending and the need to "pinch pennies" caused them to turn great profits.  However, "Black Friday" didn't began with such "pleasantries."   The term Black was used to mark catastrophe and crisis such as the stock market collapse in 1869. Black Friday really began with a disgruntle police officer in Philadelphia who hated the crowds in the streets honoring festivals and sports activities the day after Thanksgiving. He started the term in hopes that people would be discouraged and stay at home.  As we can see, that really didn't work!

My fear now is that the stores are not just opening on Black Friday but they are now opening on the evening of Thanksgiving.  Surely there will be some of us who just can't miss that "great sale" who will cut our time short with our families to participate.  Shopping is now available online all day on Thanksgiving, wow! Don't burn the turkey!

Though I have an online store and would love for everyone to shop on that site, my greatest hope is that Thanksgiving won't be the day you do it. Don't let the "Pinch" steal your family's Thanksgiving. I know over the years times have changed and things have evolved but I employ you to hold on to some tradition.  Don't make Thanksgiving a thing of the past! Continue to make Thanksgiving a time of giving thanks to God and sharing valuable time with family.  After all, anything you can buy them for Christmas could never replace time spent with them right now! (pun intended!) HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dr. Ollie Anderson

Contact me:

www.yourchristianauthor.com

www.agreatlife2day.com

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Make This Birthday A Special One!

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I shared in an earlier post that I would be sharing information 
during the holiday season that will put a smile on someone's face.
If football and children's parties are your thing, well, it's your turn 
to SMILE! 

                       Football-Themed Party Ideas by Birthday Express

We're in the middle of football season, so there's no better time to throw a football-themed party for your child's birthday! Your guests will get a kick out of your decorations, party food and activities. With the help of football party supplies from Birthday Express, you can score the winning touchdown at your next party.

Food & Drink Ideas - The possibilities for party food are endless and you don't have to spend hours in the kitchen. Just serve all of your child's favorite party treats. Set out buckets of chips, popcorn, and pretzels. Or choose single-serve bags for even more ease. Make mini sandwiches as the main course or order pizza. For beverages, you can choose single-serve bottles and cans, or use economical large bottles. You can serve drinks in fun football cups from Birthday Express. For the ultimate cake, consider a football-shaped confection. Your party guests will love it.

Party Activities - Kids can have lots of fun with a football pinata. Instead of playing hot potato, play hot football! Ask kids to stand in a circle and pass around a football as music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the football is out. Continue until there's only one child left - the winner! If the weather's warm enough, try an outdoor game. Have an adult hold up two hoola hoops, and kids take turns throwing a soft football through them. Whoever scores the most goals wins!

Party Decor - There are endless ways to bring football to the table. At Birthday Express, you can find football themed napkins, plates, and cups with fun graphics. Decorate with a personalized banner and set the table with a football centerpiece. To bring your child's favorite team to the party, select solid-colored napkins, plates and cups in the team's colors.

Football Game Time Party in a Box - Deluxe - 16 Guests

Football Pinata

Football Fun Personalized Photo Banner