Happy Holidays to Everyone.

I don’t remember exactly when, sometime in the mid to late 60’s, the passing blessing “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” became “Happy Holidays”. It was a simpler way to say what I meant. Combining the two made sense especially when I knew I would not see many of my friends until school started in January.

Today, some people seem to be insulted by the phrase “Happy Holidays”. Some seem to feel that it is degradation of their Holy day. Enlighten me on how that works.

In contrast, I always felt cheated out of Thanksgiving when the stores started putting up Christmas displays the second week of November. It was as if Thanksgiving was canceled, skipped.

Maybe I am just slow of heart, but to truly contemplate all the glories I have been blessed with takes time. Also, I have found that if I go shopping for Christmas gifts on December 23rd I spend much less than if I start shopping in November. Maybe that’s why we allow commercialism to push us past Thanksgiving. There is little money in Thanksgiving shopping.Thinking about what friends and family would want to be owning also takes time. Is this just me? Am I slow of mind also?

If I have more money left, or just less debt, after Christmas, I find it easier to give all year long.

I would recommend that Thanksgiving holiday last until all leftovers are gone. Take the time to give thanks. Skip “Black Friday” and wait until mid December to start the Christmas holiday. Since Christmas is such a Holy day for so many, do not allow it to be so confused with other celebrations, especially “Black Friday”. Enlighten me on why this is a bad idea.

I hope you found much to be thankful for at Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.