Why do we subject ourselves to the madness of holiday shopping?

Warning: Due to the bit of humbugging in this post, discretion is advised for those who are holiday shopaholics.

I’m sure it’s no surprise to any of us that Christmas has long been a commercial holiday and has become increasingly so as time progresses.  Because of the extreme commercialism that is entwined with Christmas, Thanksgiving took over as my favorite holiday that focuses on family, food, and relaxing…until now.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I was aggravated to hear that Black Friday sales would start on Thursday, Thanksgiving night, before people had a chance to let dinner settle in their stomachs and the turkey got cold.  Don’t get me wrong, I like Christmas, really I do, but I hate that one holiday is being sacrificed for the sake of another holiday.  And over what?  Supposed bargains on Christmas gifts.  Some people are even pushing Cyber Monday shopping to Thanksgiving Day, having yet another excuse to keep away from the holiday table and family.

Is consumerism what the holidays are really about now?  Is it worth giving up some quality time with family for a few deals?  What really makes family holiday memories? Time spent around the table with love ones or getting jostled with nameless crowds fighting to get the latest must-have electronic gadget or season’s “it” toy?

I’m probably in the minority, but I believe in celebrating each holiday for what it is.  That’s why I don’t go out anywhere on Thanksgiving except to family or friends.  And I refuse to even start thinking of Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving at the earliest (at the time of this writing, my Christmas tree still isn’t up, unlike some of my neighbors who had theirs up before turkey day).  As for gifts, this year I’m going old-school.  Yes, I’m buying some gifts and I’m making others (for the first time since I was a kid), but whatever I’m giving has thought for its recipient and comes from the heart.  After all, the heart should be at the root of the holiday season, shouldn’t it?  Why can’t more of us stop and remember the simple joys of the holidays?

Why, indeed.