Halloween is behind us. According to the calendar, the next holiday here in the states is Veteran's Day, followed by Thanksgiving, but have you noticed there are already Christmas commercials on the TV and jingle bells are taking over the stores?

For the third year in a row, I'm joining blogger "Suldog" Jim Sullivan in his outspoken stance on giving Thanksgiving its due time before we're all wrapped up in red and green and tied with a fancy bow. 


For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…

~Eccleciastes 3:1


I wrote this last year, but it's still just as true:  This whole campaign isn't just about Thanksgiving. It's about time and seasons and silence and space and simplifying.

It's about focusing on one thing at a time and giving it all you've got, everything it deserves. It's about truly experiencing a season, thinking about what it means and being in the moment, not rushing ahead. 

If you feel you don't have enough time to prepare for Christmas if you wait until after Thanksgiving, perhaps you're making it too complicated. Trying to do too much. Focusing on the wrapping on the box instead of what's inside.

Time goes by too fast as it is and life has gotten more and more complicated. 


I’ve learned that we can do anything, but we can’t do everything… at least not at the same time. Timing is everything.

~Dan Millman 


Timing is everything. Let's take time to relish and focus. Let's slow down and simplify. Let's take things one at a time. 

But, as one friend said, "The only way you will EVER change this is to hit them in the pocketbook." So please join your voice and your pocketbook with me to remind the retailers that…

 

TCF chase

Please hop over and read Suldog's post HERE and another beautiful essay about Thanksgiving HERE. And if you're on Facebook, like the page HERE and then share it with your friends!

Okay, what the heck. While you're at it, click on the little "Share This" button at the bottom of my post to share it on Google+ or Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest or wherever you like to share. Help spread the word so our voices get LOUD. 

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21 responses to “Thanksgiving Comes First”

  1. Ms. A Avatar

    Yay to Shutterfly for respecting your stance! I’m not a fan of Christmas as it is and I’m already feeling the stress. It’s that stress that makes me dread the holidays so much and I know they won’t be gone until December 26th.

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  2. Pauline Avatar

    “If you feel you don’t have enough time to prepare for Christmas if you wait until after Thanksgiving, perhaps you’re making it too complicated.”
    Amen to that! I love the frenzy of baking and making that falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas and have always found there’s enough time to prepare. Christmas itself is the gift, wrapped in family time and traditions.

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  3. Walker Avatar

    I read this last year and read it again with thanks for the reminder to slow down and appreciate every single moment.
    Thank you….

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  4. beth Avatar

    don’t even get me started…..i hate the fact that christmas was everywhere while the halloween decorations were out…..YIKES……and so now, yes, the other holidays get stomped on while christmas everything rushes in 😦

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  5. Gail Dixon Avatar

    I am with you on this! I get so aggravated with people asking me if I’m ready for Christmas yet. My stock answer? “One holiday at a time. Let’s get past Thanksgiving first.” I’m glad there are others out there who feel the same way. I may make a similar post, borrowing some elements from you if that’s okay.
    p.s. Hope your mom and dad are doing okay. Prayers for you all!

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  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Please do post about it and feel free to borrow anything from mine you want. Be sure to go to Suldog's site and add your link to the comments as well as the FB page! Thank you so much for your prayers for my mom and dad. My boys are there this weekend.
     

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It appears to be getting worse every year!!!!

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You're welcome! I always need a reminder, too. 🙂
     

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    "Christmas itself is the gift, wrapped in family time and traditions." Absolutely! I love that, Pauline!

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Last year we didn't exchange presents at all. Mostly for financial reasons, and I was kind of dreading a Christmas morning with no presents, but I have to say, I enjoyed the season so much more. It definitely helped me focus on the 'reason for the season'! 

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  11. lisleman Avatar

    We don’t need a stress holiday. We need a holiday from stress. I blame the stress part on marketing. It went downhill from the first mention of the “perfect” gift (the one that makes them the most money). I simple Christmas sounds real smart to me.

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    There are a lot of us who agree. But then a whole lot more who sink deep into the commercial part of it, unfortunately. I hope the numbers continue to shift in the right direction!
     

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  13. Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns Avatar

    I’m with you, TOTALLY! Barbara. I noticed the day after Halloween it all started. I know it’s been going on for years, but I truly wish the marketeers could just wait. It’s one of the reasons I’ve grown to hate marketing. Feels pushy. But then I don’t mind marketing if done in a more subtle way. It just doesn’t always capture the buyer that way. Oh well, that’s a different essay, isn’t it.
    Thanks for stepping out and posting this. Love it!

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Lissa. I realize a lot of jobs depend on it, but I feel there's something bigger to consider. Feel free to add your blog to the parade!! Check out Suldog's post if you haven't already!
     

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  15. rjane Avatar
    rjane

    Barbara,
    I’m totally with you on this:
    Thanksgiving is awesome and a beautiful time to reflect and give gratitude for our good fortunes. It is painful to witness the commercialization of Christmas, nothing that can be purchased could ever take the place of family, food, tradition, values and all that represent the Christmas season! Our family loves the “Harvest”, a time to slow the pace, sit at the table and visit. For us to all be under one roof is the “gift”.

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Isn't it ironic how this season where we traditionally slow down and reflect and recharge has become such a frenzied stressful time, instead? I love how your family calls it the Harvest, because it really is a time to reap the rewards of family and tradition and togetherness.

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  17. Suldog Avatar

    Thanks so much, Barbara! Great writing, as usual. As with all TCF posts, yours will be listed in my update on Monday.

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  18. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Thanksgiving is the best, the absolute best. Long live Suldog!

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  19. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    Isn’t that just the truth!
    wow, i love that gutsy statement
    about making it too complicated
    if you don’t have time in 25 days!
    It isn’t a chore, Christmas.
    I have to remind myself that
    every year.
    Thanks for this beautiful tribute
    to simplicity:)
    -Jennifer

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  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Amen! If you have time, and you haven't yet, go read that essay I mentioned. I think you'll like it.
     

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  21. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    You are very welcome, Jennifer!
     

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