The Buzz: It’s nearly time for Santa

By Marlene Bohr

We have spent several weeks now being bombarded with holiday decorations in stores, ads for a zillion presents to buy, Christmas music, and the Black Friday that seems to have usurped itself into the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. This year there were some Christmas things in stores almost as soon as the kids got back to school.
I have heard people complain and complain about the Christmas season starting earlier and earlier every year. Some say the Christmas season may start in the summer months before long, probably even before school starts.
I hope Thanksgiving doesn’t get lost in the shuffle with the Black Friday sales getting an earlier start. I can understand merchants wanting that extra buck that the holidays will bring. I found out on Friday afternoon that I was left out on a few things.  I inquired in one store where the sale items were, and they said the sale specials were wiped out on Thanksgiving Day.
I have a friend who reserves Thanksgiving strictly for her family and said she would not budge from that no matter what the season brings. I am sure there are many, many who feel the same way. So how do we preserve our Thanksgiving holiday while still giving the merchants the chance to make an extra buck?
I have an idea. It’s an idea that could take off, but everyone would have to agree. The stores with the huge Black Friday deals should open at 8 or 9 on Friday morning and then start the Black Friday specials. Just think what a concept that would be. The merchants would still have control over the sales and families and employees would be left to enjoy the full Thanksgiving Day celebrating with their families. It shouldn’t be too hard to figure that one out. That way there wouldn’t be a mad scramble out there in the wee hours of the morning in the dark. It boggles the mind to think of people camping in front of stores for a week just to get the first crack at bargains. That has to be interesting, if not inconvenient. Some people do enjoy camping out, even if it is on concrete.
As far as Christmas, I do wish it would be extended, say, to all year round. At this time of the year people seem to be happier, have a bounce in their step, and have an anxious, but really happy rush to buy that special gift for that special someone. Most of the time people are jovial and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas even if they don’t know the person. I know many who normally don’t speak going in and out of the post office smile and wish total strangers a Merry Christmas. Just think what a neat world it would be if people were as cheerful all year as they are at Christmas. We would be able to have the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ all year long.
People would get along; no fighting; no yelling; no arguing; what a concept!
That total attitude makeover of cheerfulness would really be wonderful to adopt all the year round. We still need our special time of Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ. That special day we celebrate his birth should always be set apart. Adopting what Christ taught should prevail all the year long, not just at his birthday celebration. Then when the time of year comes to celebrate His birth, what a very Merry Christmas it truly would be.