Black Friday, et. al.

The Holidays are here. Thanksgiving Day is in the past now and Christmas shopping is full upon us. Black Friday is the ‘traditional’ day following Thanksgiving feasts when Americans hit the stores and malls to grab door buster deals on goods great for giving on Christmas Day.

There are those of us traditionalists left who don’t fall prey to shopping mania. But for the most part we are the lower income, retired people who don’t get excited over Christmas presents anymore. We don’t have the personal need for them. We have no place to store them, unless of course those gifts are means to eat out in restaurants with our favorite cuisines! Or maybe books to round out our reading lists?

Oh, OK. I can be persuaded to get re-engaged in this hoopla, but truly, it is an expense better avoided. At our ages it is hard enough to keep gas in the car, food on the table regularly, and the medicine cabinet full of what the doctors prescribe. That’s just the lifestyle we are in these days. Not a good thing or a bad thing. It just is.

So keep us involved in your family gatherings but let’s skip the present sharing part.

Now, related to the holidays are these issues.

First, the holidays are for all of us, whether the central attraction is Christmas, or another religious hallmark date with a strong focus in your religious tradition. I will take no offense if you wish me Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa or Happy Holidays. I get your point and appreciate your sentiment. You don’t have to conform to my religious tradition. Keep your own traditions alive and healthy for you and yours. I can do the same for mine. We can hope the others will do the same for their traditions and families.

Second, stoking the retail success of retail chains is not my business. I have all I can do to keep my sock drawer stocked and underwear, too. Shoes are another matter, but they are more costly and are replaced verrrry slowly. I have plenty of shirts and will concentrate on wearing them out and then tossing them out eventually rather than adding to the number of garments rarely worn. Think tiny house and discard! Or at least wear out what you have.

Now I understand why old people often look ‘out of date’. They are conserving and making do. That’s a good thing to do, so Amen to them!

Third, sitting out the consumer-mania of the season also reduces the tensions on those who want to participate but cannot. They do not wish to be the focus of charity or public fuss. They just want life to go on without the pressure of performing in ways they cannot possibly afford. This is very true of  30% of households these days. So give them a break and don’t pressure them with gawdy displays of your wealth and excess. I’ve done plenty of that in my day and now I regret it.

Fourth, every day people need things. Some are physical, some are emotional, and yet others are service oriented – things they cannot do for themselves but need help with. Those needs are real 24/7/365. Best we attend to them each and every day. It is good for them. It is even better for those of us doing the ‘doing’. It makes us better people, both the doer and the receiver. Our society is healthier for the effort. Dig in and ‘just do it’.

While you are at it find some peace with moments of quiet, to think, read, ponder what is important in your life. Resolve to stop doing something that is pointless. Resolve to start doing something that has more value to others. Then organize your routines to make room for this new focus on life.

Doing this accomplishes a more appropriate sensibility for the holidays and gaining a head-start on your New Years resolutions. How great is that?!

November 28, 2016