Thanksgiving vs. Materialism banner

Thanksgiving vs. Materialism

Oct 31, 2019

Thanksgiving vs. Materialism banner

The Thanksgiving holiday was originally intended for families and friends to gather and enjoy time together. It is a time to reflect on the year and express gratitude for everything you have. However, consumers have quickly taken over and Thanksgiving is more of a shopping day than a family holiday. Are we able to create a balance between being grateful for what we already have and catching a great sale for the holidays? 

 

Practice Gratitude Year-Round

Gratitude journals have greatly increased in popularity over the years. Set aside a few minutes each day to open a notebook and write at least one thing you are grateful for. It can be something as simple as a beautiful sunrise that morning. The small things will add up, and you’ll have a great collection to look back on at the end of the year to see just how much you have to be grateful for. Try encouraging others to bring their gratitude journals to the Thanksgiving table and read excerpts to share with everyone. It is sure to create a special bond between friends and family that emphasizes the purpose of Thanksgiving. 

 

Embrace Generosity 

The original purpose of Black Friday was to find great deals for holiday gifts. However, it quickly became a time to be selfish and snag the pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on and a bunch of other things you probably don’t need. The flashing lights and word “SALE” everywhere are extremely enticing. Why not preserve the shopping time strictly for other people? If you do insist on taking the time away from family to shop, be sure it’s to purchase gifts for them. Be careful not to get lured into buying things for yourself and creating a materialistic mindset. After practicing so much gratitude, try being generous as an overflow of your thankfulness. 

 

This is merely a sliver of advice. Remember to think about what you already have and embrace everything to be thankful for before making that trip to the mall or your favorite store. Happy Thanksgiving!