Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Spending time with loved ones,
wearing turkeys on your head (see me and my family, right), eating and
drinking whatever the heck you want...all without the extreme pressure
of having to buy gifts.
Before I even have a chance to have a turkey sandwich on Thursday night (and watch my beloved Giants get killed by the Broncos), I am bombarded by messages to get out of my comfy chair and shop. Really? Did I ever tell anyone that I would give thanks for the opportunity to be at a big-box store at 3AM for a bargain? And what's "black" about it?
Once Black Friday's over, we're slammed by Cyber Monday. Is this the day we are all supposed to be robots? No...we're supposed to shop online this day. Oy. I'm already worn out and it's still November.
Here's my proposal. This Wednesday, December 2 should be "Well-Wishing Wednesday". Spend no money (who has money to spend, anyway?) buying stuff. Do not go to a mall. Do not shop online. If you feel an unquenchable need to spend cash, give it to charity. Lord knows they need it--demand for services is up, and fundraising is down. But I don't need to tell you that.
You may ask, "What should I do if I cannot spend $$?" Spend well wishes. Hold the door for someone. Smile at a stranger. Say "please" and "thank you". Post well-wishes on your Facebook status. Tweet some well-wishes. For goodness' sake, please do not spend money because the media and advertisers have spent the last week relentlessly ordering you to do so. Take control of this season, if just for one day.
If we can all do this, maybe Well-Wishing Wednesday will become my second-favorite holiday...