Friday's Weekly Reader subject was Needs and Wants. The cover picture was of a child looking in a big store window full of toys. After talking about the picture, I ask the children if there was anything in the picture the child needed. Almost in unison they said Christmas presents; two began singing "Jingle Bells". My heart fell. (The children actually did very well choosing between needs and wants; my parents have done well.)
I couldn't get past the Christmas presents and "Jingle Bells". After we worked through our Weekly Reader I ask everyone to sit in circle time. I ask them to look around the room and tell me what holiday we are getting ready to celebrate.
Even with our trees decked out in autumn splendor, the fabulous turkeys hiding behind the watercolored leaves, and our list of things we are thankful for tacked to the bulletin board, they all responded with an enthusiastic - Christmas. I assured them Christmas was certainly around the corner, but we have another holiday to look forward to and prepare for, Thanksgiving. I ended circle time with the book Thanks for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is the middle child. Halloween comes first. It seems like the witches, tombstones, giant spiders and jack-o-lanterns were out in my neighborhood by the end of September. I am not a huge Halloween decorator ( I do love a spooky jack-o-lantern, I am not opposed to stories of witches and goblins and I will not miss the parade of costumes that appear at my door.), so for the most part, I don't get it.
Before the last miniature Snicker's bar was handed out, Christmas lights were being hung and carols being sung. I love Advent and Christmas. I love the smell of our freshly cut Christmas tree. I love unpacking the few ornaments that survived my childhood, as well as, the ornaments we have collected through the years, and retelling the stories attached to each one. I love searching for that perfect gift and wrapping it in pretty paper and ribbon. I love the songs, carols and hymns sung with angelic voices, and by those of us who do not have the voices of angels. And who cannot help get caught up in the infectious anticipation of young and old.
But ... I adore Thanksgiving, the middle child, most. It is the perfect holiday! Mother Nature takes care of the decorations and there are no gifts to buy. It is a day of food, family and friends, football and (taking a deep breath here) reflection (I'm sure a better word-smith than I could have come up with another "f" word) of the blessings we have been given through the year. So I am keeping my basket full of autumn foliage on my door and my pumpkins and mums standing like Sentinels guarding my home, until after November 25th.
Oh, and if you hear some crazy woman humming, "Come Ye Thankful People Come" over "You Better Watch Out", while gathering up Christmas finds at the department store....well, you will know who she is.
"Raise the song of harvest home"
I agree. The many years that I worked retail, the few Thanksgiving items for sale wouldn't fill the very end of an aisle.
ReplyDeleteSuzy hit the nail on the head, Bonnie--retailers can only sell you food and a few decorations, whereas for Halloween and Christmas...they can sell the moon and all nine planets. Consumers focus on the consumables, so their ideas follow suit. I'm so glad you brought the kids your message. I'll bet at least a few of them remember it always.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on this. Thanksgiving is also my favorite of all holidays and I refuse to start all the decorating and song-singing for one holiday before we even get to the one before it. You're right, it really is the "perfect" holiday!
ReplyDeleteKarin
Suzy - I've worked retail as well. I remember if we carried anything for Thanksgiving, it would be on sale, half price, a week before the actual holiday.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte - I understand with great sadness. One only needs to open my front door and watch the slick covered catalogs pour out onto my floor to know that commerce is the dictator.
Karin - I raise my teacup to you. Here's to Thanksgiving!
Thanks for commenting, I've received a few emails about this post. It seems there are many of us who think alike.
I couldn't agree with you more! Fall is my favorite time of the year and Thanksgiving is the splendid wrap-up of this beautiful time of year. A time to spend quietly with family and friends over a feast, giving thanks for all the blessings we've recieved. I certainly start my Christmas crafting well before Thanksgiving, but not a single Christmas decoration goes up until after the 1st of December. You, however, will catch me playing Christmas music this time of year. I've always said that it is such beautiful music, so why can't I listen to it more than 3 weeks a year? LOL~
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