Don’t Forget Thanksgiving

It’s here. Whether you feel “in the spirit” yet or not, the holidays are in full swing, at least in the advertising and retail world. Now that the election is over, consumers are bombarded with Black Friday deals, from store displays to witty TV ads. I adore shopping, but I’ve never been a big Black Friday shopper. I do however look forward to going through the heaping piles of advertisements that come in the paper on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe it’s because I work in advertising, but I like to know what’s out there. I know that this is the busiest shopping time of year, and everyone wants to get the best deals, but I have to admit, Black Friday can feel overwhelming. With media and technology being as big as they are today, “the day after Thanksgiving” seems more important than Thanksgiving itself. Within the past couple of years, stores have been opening on Thanksgiving Day, allowing people to spend one holiday shopping for the next. It’s a little disheartening to see the Thanksgiving holiday lose so much of its meaning. Some people may not see as much meaning in the day as others and that’s okay. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t shop on Thanksgiving, either. What I encourage you to do though is to think of something that you are truly grateful for on the days leading up to Thanksgiving. It sounds cliché and probably silly, but a little gratitude can go a long way. Maybe it’s thanking a coworker for always giving you a hand when you need it. Or maybe it’s knowing you have a great support system of friends. Whatever it is, recognize it and express it; it can change your entire perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget about the simplicity of Thanksgiving. It’s the one day of the year dedicated to being grateful, so this year, be exactly that. We all have something to celebrate, and we all have something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!