Will early store openings impact your Thanksgiving Family Dinner?

[N. Buck]

Originally Posted by IShootNikon

Every day is for the family, not just that day. Enjoy family and life everyday. If you want to enjoy shopping on Thanksgiving with the family, let them be.

I repped your comment because I know exactly where you are going with that statement. The problem (in my honest opinion) is that this mentality can be used for every other holiday that exists. Veterans Day? We should celebrate them everyday. Valentines day? We shouldn't have a day to celebrate the people we love. They should know it! Halloween? Kids should be free to dress in creative ways and get candy all the time (somewhat).

The only one that doesn't work is Labor Day. Although, let's be honest... I wouldn't mind being paid to take off work everyday!

The reason for a holiday is so that family both near and far can mark their calendar for a day during the year when everyone can be together. Save up money for that plane ticket because you know it's going to be every year at the same time.

Now if you go shopping as a family and it is awesome, then so be it! And if you spend Thanksgiving with people you see everyday, then shopping isn't so bad.

I just think it's absurd when family comes from out of town and people decide they would much rather risk getting trampled for a flat screen tv rather than spend time with grandma.

Just my thoughts.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by N. Buck

The reason for a holiday is so that family both near and far can mark their calendar for a day during the year when everyone can be together. Save up money for that plane ticket because you know it's going to be every year at the same time.

But for a lot of families, it's not a time when everyone can be together. People live in different places. Some family members can't afford the plane ticket or they want to stay home and create their own traditions. Some are spending it with the in-laws. Some have to work--not necessarily because of greedy corporate overlords, but because they don't get Wednesday or Friday off to travel. Having a day when all the family can be together is a noble sentiment, but it's not reality for most families.

[IShootNikon]

Originally Posted by N. Buck

I repped your comment because I know exactly where you are going with that statement. The problem (in my honest opinion) is that this mentality can be used for every other holiday that exists. Veterans Day? We should celebrate them everyday. Valentines day? We shouldn't have a day to celebrate the people we love. They should know it! Halloween? Kids should be free to dress in creative ways and get candy all the time (somewhat).

The only one that doesn't work is Labor Day. Although, let's be honest... I wouldn't mind being paid to take off work everyday!

The reason for a holiday is so that family both near and far can mark their calendar for a day during the year when everyone can be together. Save up money for that plane ticket because you know it's going to be every year at the same time.

Now if you go shopping as a family and it is awesome, then so be it! And if you spend Thanksgiving with people you see everyday, then shopping isn't so bad.

I just think it's absurd when family comes from out of town and people decide they would much rather risk getting trampled for a flat screen tv rather than spend time with grandma.

Just my thoughts.

We're thinking along the same lines. I can respect your sentiment.

One problem is airline tickets are more expensive during the holidays. I prefer to visit people on non-holiday weekends. But I understand this isn't for everyone

[mkpunk]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

But for a lot of families, it's not a time when everyone can be together. People live in different places. Some family members can't afford the plane ticket or they want to stay home and create their own traditions. Some are spending it with the in-laws. Some have to work--not necessarily because of greedy corporate overlords, but because they don't get Wednesday or Friday off to travel. Having a day when all the family can be together is a noble sentiment, but it's not reality for most families.

This is why I love Thanksgiving. My aunt and uncle and their kids (even their girlfriends) who live in AZ as well come over to my parents house. My future sister(in-law) and her mother are coming over for their first Thanksgiving with us, as are my parents friends who are like family to my brother and I come over. We celebrate family which is why I love Thanksgiving more-so now than when I was a kid say 10/20 years ago. It's about celebrating family, in particular ones who you may not see that often. Luckily everyone lives out in AZ so it's just paying for gas...