What's with the Christmas lights?

In an argument fought the world over (okay, really not...we're the only selfishly stupid ones who have enough money to have this argument), there is an epic battle of wills erupting over Christmas decorations. Where, oh where, has Thanksgiving gone?
Scott is famous for his detestation of the overlooking of Thanksgiving, but he is late in blogging about it, so I will take up my sword on this one, as I am in full agreement on this point. Shocking, I know.

Somehow, the marketing departments of the world have decided that we no longer need Thanksgiving. We can go from saturated Halloween decorations (blow-up witches and ghosts in every yard) to saturated Christmas decorations (blow-up snow globes and Santas in every yard) in one fell swoop, known as the weekends directly following Halloween.

Not that I'm advocating for blow-up turkeys or cornucopias here. The world could do with a lot less hot air, in so very many ways. But WHY have we determined that Christmas is not so much about God sending His son, and loving each other and spending time with family, and determined that it is a season for manic, Zoloft-inducing episodes of horrific shopping mania and even more horrific decorating? This is craziness. Today, on the news, I heard that many of the stores have decided to open their doors on the day after Thanksgiving at midnight. And have all their best deals at 2am. This is great, for those who like "good bargains" and shoving others to the floor with the newest blender on the market while sleep-deprived. This is NOT SO GREAT for those of us who like Thanksgiving better than Christmas. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, filled with wonderful food, reflecting on our blessings, glasses of wine, laughter and quality time spent with my family (bowling...it's a tradition!!),and football. There is no better day in this world. And now, pretty soon the stores will be opening for the manic Christmas shopping at noon on Thanksgiving, then they'll eventually just skip Thanksgiving altogether and move the sales to the day after Halloween to get a jump on their financial reports.

I am horrified. I am determined to fight the good fight to save Thanksgiving. A day to spend thanking God for all of our many blessings? Non-material blessings? WHAT?? Shocking. I know. Just try something, this year. Sit back and enjoy Thanksgiving in a way that honors God, a day just for food, fun, fellowship and reflection. Thank God for Thanksgiving. And when your blow-up snow globe is "accidentally" punctured in mid-November, you will have deserved it. I'm keeping that push pin for next year, too.