Remember when the day after Thanksgiving didn’t mean Black Friday sales? Remember when the day after Thanksgiving meant waiting for Santa to arrive and the delight in lighting up Christmas? Santa would turn the key that lit up the tree and all the lights in the town square. Such anticipation. Listening to the radio or watching on the TV as they would announce how close Santa was? Sometimes he would show up in a sleigh if there was snow on the ground already, otherwise, he would arrive in a car. Arriving just in time for it to be dark enough and Santa would turn the key for the LIGHTS!
What is your story to tell? What is your child’s delight in the magic of Christmas?
As someone who works in retail (not even in America!) I abhore black friday! Would much prefer to be setting up magical christmas lights 🙂
This is the first time in twenty-five years that I didn’t need to work on the day after Thanksgiving. I do not envy anyone in retail on this day!
Black Friday is relatively new to us in the UK but it’s turning out to be quite a stressful time – everyone who went to town yesterday complained about the aggressive shoppers! And actually, most things weren’t even on sale haha! So looking forward to Christmas now!
The sales are real and extreme here which causes crowds and violence. So not the Christmas spirit.
We don’t celebrate thanksgiving in the UK but have somehow inherited your Black Friday ritual Lol!
Black Friday is now a week or two long…. preceded by ads and sneak early deals and followed by remnant sales then Cyber Monday!
My kids have sadly realised Santa is not real but I loved getting them to write their letters… decorating the tree and one which I’ll not stop … the advent calendars!!!!
My favorite part of Christmas is the anticipation. I remember looking up in the sky for Santa’s sleigh. There would be announcements on the radio that NORAD was tracking him on radar and what part of the country he was flying over. That excitement affected me so much that at 56 I still look up in the sky on Christmas Eve looking for that darned sleigh!
Even if the kids dont reallt believe… I’ll still be looking too!
LOL….You and me both!
I loved the build up. School nativity, carols and making decorations.
Yes, children do get to see more of a build up thru school and church activities.
We have always had real trees, so ours typically don’t go up until the second week of December! (And our Thanksgiving was six weeks ago haha) I didn’t know that the Friday was big for Christmas things, I think that’s wonderful!!
It used to be wonderful when it was all about Christmas and the lights and Santa, but now the Black Friday sales have ruined the whole “spirit of Christmas” feeling that this day used to have.
Some of our neighbors already have their lights up. To be fair, I think most of them never took theirs down!
Yeah, I know someone who had her Christmas lights up at Halloween.
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I loved it as a kid and I love it as a parent. I love my kids’ excitement during the season.
I miss having a young child at Christmas. Somehow my 30 year old son just isn’t into it anymore…lol
LOL! I know. It’ll be sad when my kids are grown…but wait….grandkids! 😉
Yes. Still waiting, but that’s ok.
Black Friday is out-of-control! My family refuses to shop. Instead, we go and cut down our own Christmas tree, decorate the tree, and enjoy the first Christmas music of the season. The way you describe the day after Thanksgiving is the way I remember it as a child. Maybe we all have to step back into that time again. : )
That’s the way to do it. I wish more towns still put an emphasis on lighting the trees, but that seems to be falling by the wayside. Even NYC doesn’t do it until midweek. Seems odd to me.
I’m about to say something controversial but I’m just being honest. I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY SOOO MUCH. In fact, I call Thanksgiving the “big meal” before the main event. Yes, I know, horrible.
You are the kind of people I try to avoid on Black Friday…lol. A glazed look in their eyes as they stumble from one sale to another. Especially those who are at the malls at 4am!
I know, right? My son LOVES Black Friday and it’s quickly turning into a tradition!
I guess it must be fun having your son enjoy it as well….but still not for me, no matter how many might want to join me.
I knew something was off this year. We still haven’t put our Christmas tree up. Looks like I have another chore to add to the list for tomorrow, but fortunately, one that we love.
Thanks for setting the tone for the holidays Jennifer!
I’m glad you approve. 🙂 Tomorrow we put up the tree. One of my favorite chores of the year.
My husband just adores the holidays and all the trimmings. Especially the trimmings.