Viewpoint by Heather Horton/south news editor
’Tis the season for gluttony, madness and lack of self-control.
It is a question posed by many each year: Have we lost sight of the meaning of our holidays?
Fifteen years ago, society celebrated each holiday in its given time. October marked the beginning of fall and anticipation of Halloween and fall festivals. This year, retail stores displayed Christmas decorations an aisle over from costumes and pumpkins.
Thanksgiving was a time to enjoy family traditions, like basketball in the driveway or football in the yard after a huge turkey feast and the Cowboys. This year, “Black Friday” has encroached on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Retail outlets have announced “door-buster sales” beginning at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving. Many stores have already begun posting their specific sale items, leaving nothing to the imagination of things to come.
Christmas used to be THE BIG DAY! Excitement and anticipation would lead up to a specific and climactic moment. Those moments, in years past, have left a lasting impression on me.
This year, Christmas has been lumped in with Black Friday. There is no more anticipation in today’s instant-gratification society.
The day after Thanksgiving used to be a time to usher in the anticipation of the “big” holiday. Events like picking a Christmas tree and decorating the house played a big part in building the mystery and excitement of Christmas.
This year, consumers will be herded through the doors of retailers without regard to family or tradition. Santa’s new workshop is a big-box store.
Regardless of society’s new approach to hosting one big holiday, from October through Jan. 2, my family will be setting aside time to enjoy each separate moment.
