So, what does Thanksgiving mean to me? Hmmmm....
I find it interesting that the meaning of the day has changed for me over the years. It used to merely mean a couple luscious days off school, a little shopping (nothing 3 a.m. crazy) with my mom, tons and tons of mashed potatoes (my favorite) and chilling to play games with my beloved Grandmother and family.
Now, the day is generally spent with me getting up early in the morning because I was too lazy to make my portion of the meal, which is usually some new dessert I've been dying to try out. I live 5 hours away from my parents...sadly, I've since lost my Grandmother and don't make the trek home for the holiday meal like I used to. Instead, we go to my in laws for dinner with them and my husband's brother's family. It is cozy. I don't have to make a turkey, which I cherish. [someday I'll have to tell you about the year I made a turkey on the grill because my stove blew up...best turkey I've ever eaten.] The day is spent chatting around the table, playing games, looking at circulars, and trying to relax.
While I no longer get to go Black Friday shopping, that suits me fine. I hate crowds of people and hate the commercialism that Christmas tends to bring. It seems that this nation has forgotten to cherish the holiday that causes deep reflection. This is evidenced by the Christmas ads that you now see even before Halloween. It is sad and breaks my heart.
In my home, I have a strick rule that is enforced. NO CHRISTMAS MUSIC UNTIL THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING! Yes, I am very strict about this, because I never want my daughter to forget to be thankful. It is already sad enough that we blow through most of the year without remembering to cherish the simplicity of our lives, the little blessings and the big ones, and just the dog-gone time with family and/or friends.
My goal at some point is to go for and early Thanksgiving lunch with family and then go as a family to serve meals at the local shelter. For me, I believe that would complete my day more than any parade could.
11 comments:
Fantastic plan and great post Amy. I subscribe to a no Christmas music until December 1st rule.
I think that we all experience some sort of 'slow down' when we transition from doing things with our family to creating a family of our own and creating new traditions and memories.
Great post!
I like the idea of no Christmas music. I have gotten to a point where I no longer enjoy Christmas because it is just too commercial. Thanksgiving is the one pure day, and I would like to keep it that way.
This reminded me of the last time my wife tried to do the turkey -- it almost caught on fire. Actually - the bag thingy she was cooking it in tore. juices spilled and we had to evacuate . . . my memories are little cloudy here . . . anyway -- thanks for posting Amy. . .and I know what I getting you for X-mas . . a birdhouse!
Amy, yr right, Thanksgiving continuously changes. We have Thursday and Saturday meals, luckily one is lobster, whoopee! I heard Christmas music before Halloween! its just wrong. nice story, cindy @urbanverse
I am not a huge fan of Christmas music - two weeks out max! If you are going to listen, get 'A Festival of Carols in Brass' by the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble. As far as I am concerned, this is the go-to album for traditional carols played remarkably well.
I love Christmas music, but not before the day after Thanksgiving. Same with lights on the house. We have some neighbors who already strung them and we had to get the neighborhood watch patrol to gather outside their front door and threaten them with our flashlights if they plug those lights on before Friday night. I think they got the message :-)
As hard as it is for kids to separate and start their own Thanksgiving holiday, it is equally tough for us old dogs with adult children. Nobody knows quite when it is "ok" to not be there for Thanksgiving. So, I made it point to tell them each it was fine. One moved to NYC this year, the other is still local. Apparently the turkey is still pretty good, so we'll have one here. We can delay the deep sighs and tears they never see until next year :-)
I propose no Christmas music until the week before (smile). I find Thanksgiving, still, a time of real thanks without the pressure for gift giving....But, you have captured the pressure of holiday time, and let's be all grateful for our country, our family, and our jobs. Amen.
Totally with you on the "no music" rule, this should also go for stores and street decor. Why not allow some level of anticipation to build up. Right? great post.
Thanks for the comments everyone! I'm with Rufus about the neighborhood watch group shining flashlights. As much as I'm against the music until after, I LOVE carolers and would love to go some year....3 or 4 days before Christmas that is.
I'm with you on the Christmas music too soon. My mom was always exuberant about the latter holiday (whereas we always spent Thanksgiving at her in-laws so she wasn't so enamored with that one)! Not only did she crank up the Bing Crosby as soon as she could get away with it, she put so many lights on the house that the breakers would blow when the coffee maker kicked on. Ah, the joys of the southern childhood! Is it any wonder I live in an apartment in NYC that doesn't allow decorations?!
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