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Dessert and Tea for Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving Offer That Ignores Black Friday

Thanksgiving offer of dessert and tea

What does Thanksgiving offer that Black Friday ignores? Lots, but it seems that Americans are more focused on shopping deals than they are on gratitude.

Has anyone besides me noticed the degree to which this year’s Black Friday commercials have pushed Thanksgiving aside?

It just seems wrong when we gear shift into discontent the day after we express gratitude for the things we already have.

And in many stores this year Black Friday begins Thanksgiving morning!

I know you can save lots of money with this setup. Last year my son got a great deal on a computer he really needed for college. Did the shopping overshadow his Thanksgiving? No. On Black Friday he got in, bought the computer, and got out—end of story and end of shopping. Thanksgiving activities were first on his mind, and he made a mean mashed potato side dish on Thanksgiving, which he is creating again today.

The distance between gratitude and discontent depends on you—what you focus on in your mind and heart.

So this year I’m ignoring Black Friday again in favor of this Thanksgiving offer:

Thanksgiving offer

  • Family that celebrates the God who created us
  • Food that represents God’s provision
  • Joy that can’t be bought
  • Memories that last a lifetime
  • Gratitude that challenges greed
  • Contentment with what I already have

Colossians 2:6-8 comes to mind:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Have a grateful, wonderful, contented, and overflowing Thanksgiving.

Question: Do you think Black Friday fosters discontent? Share with us your thoughts.

“Jesus likes it when we share.” -Adelaide, age 3: Pass this along to everybody and their brother. OK, maybe not everybody’s brother, but you know . . . all of your friends would be nice.

Related posts:

Gratitude In the Right Direction

Celebrating Family by Connecting to the Past

Last year John Knight wrote a great post on When the Whispers of Discontent Have No Chance over at Desiring God. Enjoy!

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Francie

    I have been horrified by all the commercials. Who needs all that stuff anyway? Who has all the extra cash to go on these frenzied shopping trips to stores so filled with people you can’t breathe? Earl and I made the decision years ago to be debt free and we will not go into debt to turn Christmas into a consumers’ holiday.

    1. Susan

      We right behind you, Francie. We don’t go into debt at Christmas and enjoy simplicity. I’ll focus on the decorations I’ve collected over the years and family togetherness, and do simple stuff for gifts.

  2. Angela Rayher

    I totally dislike what Black Friday does to Americans. I don’t like that people feel the need to rush out and leave family gatherings to go shopping. We had a great family evening last night (despite Alan being sick). We watched a movie together and we played games. No one was concerned with getting to bed early cuz we had to get up early and shop. We all slept in, then had a nice family breakfast. I have never gone out on black friday and I never will.

    1. Susan

      Well said, Angela,well said!

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