Monday, November 12, 2012

A Save Thanksgiving Pledge

What does it really mean to save Thanksgiving? In order to bring Thanksgiving into focus, a few things need to happen.  Below I have created my Save Thanksgiving pledge.  I humbly ask you to join me and join the movement. 

Until November 23 will refrain from
  • Christmas shopping
  • Christmas décor
  • Singing along to holiday music no matter how catchy Mariah Carrey may be
  • Drinking from Starbucks red cups (In the interest of full disclosure, I have already broken this, twice. In my defense, I was traveling and didn’t bring my reusable cup with me)
  • Reading Christmas themed publications or internet features (this includes the amazing looking Real Simple that was just delivered to my house)

Up until November 23 I will
  • Shout from the rooftops how awesome Thanksgiving is
  • Use my voice on social media to share stories and recipes related to Thanksgiving all tagged #SaveThanksgiving
  • Be grateful for the blessings in my life. And let the people in my life know that I am thankful for them.
  • Volunteer my time

Notable exceptions
  • With family all over the country, travel plans needs to be made well in advance. I’m personally going to start talking about this with my family really soon. You can #SaveThanksgiving and still book an airline ticket.
  • Concert tickets. Jingle Bell Bash, The Nutcracker, these need to be bought in advance.  You can #SaveThanksgiving and make plans before to attend these types of events (after Thanksgiving, of course).
Violet in Corso Como Adma

Friday, November 2, 2012

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I saw my first Christmas commercial before Halloween. Christmas has tried its best to take-over Thanksgiving and now it has its sights set on Halloween. Halloween is a pretty awesome holiday filled with pumpkins, adorable kids in costumes and, of course, candy.  While it may be hard to make a broader moral argument about the importance of Halloween in our lives, it’s what happens in October.  And I’m doing my best to if not live in the moment be close to it. 

Rather than take away from ghosts and goblins of Halloween I held off on the turkey and ‘taters talk until after. Today, I once again take up the banner to Save Thanksgiving. For the next three weeks, all you will hear from me is Thanksgiving – the food, the family and everything I have to be grateful for this year.

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. At a time when budgets are tight and our differences, political or otherwise tear us apart, I can’t think of anything better thing to do than gather those you love around you, share a meal and give thanks for what you have.
Once the turkey has been picked over and the pumpkin pie consumed, then and only then will I discuss Santa and stockings. 

I encourage all of you to do the same. Give Thanksgiving the due it deserves. Take a few weeks to pause before life gets hectic and give thanks for the blessings in your life. And for Pete’s sake, #SaveThanksgiving.