Rules of Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving.  Ours was especially nice, and the weather was even cool and sunny,  so that we were able to take an afternoon walk along the river.  A nice relaxing day and evening, too much food, and just the right amount of leftovers.  Win!

I did make several observations, and decided that all would benefit from reading about them.  Because, you know, I'm such a deep thinker and all ... (and, in my Bridget-centric world that exists only in my head, I really think that I should be in charge of most holiday things).  

1.  One of the reason I am a fan of Nordstrom's is their philosophy for decorating the store for the holiday season.  Yes, the various departments have the merchandise that is especially designated for Christmas/holiday shoppers, but the store itself does not put out their decorations or play any Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.  This is the way it should be, and if I were in charge of things, this is the way it would be.  So there.  (Now granted I can't afford a lot of stuff at Nordstrom's but I always try to buy a lipstick or tights or something like that there to show my support.  And as you can see, it has apparently worked - they are still in business!)

2.  Since I have been a little girl, we have always watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (or as we referred to it, the "Macy's Day parade").  My mother told me that the only time before Christmas Eve that the REAL Santa was around was to ride in the float in the parade.  (This made perfect sense to me, BTW.) Alas, this tradition is in danger of being discontinued, for the following reasons:  a) I find it highly annoying to watch people I don't know and/or not lip-synch songs, b) the ONLY ones who should escort Santa for his appearance should be the Rockettes, and c) Mrs. Santa has no business being on the float.  I love Mrs. Santa, but she needs to stay put to be sure that things are going well at the North Pole.  I just don't think she should be part of the parade.  (And lest you feel I am anti-Mrs. Claus, I am a feminist, and want her to be able to do her thing - not just be Santa's wife.  I enjoy going places with The Tim, but there are some things that are all his to do.)

3.  Since we moved to Philadelphia, we have gone a few times to the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade which is lots of fun.  However, it's been ruined because: a) now that the channel sponsoring it and broadcasting it is an ABC station, the whole thing is a Disney commercial, and b) even worse, not only does Mrs. Claus regularly appear on the float with Santa, but they are both waving American flags.  This is WRONG because Santa does not favor or represent any specific country.  Ever.

4.  The Dallas Cowboys should never appear in a Thanksgiving Day game.  If they somehow mistakenly do, they should be soundly trounced by the other team, regardless of what team that may be.

5.  No store should ever open on Thanksgiving, or at 12 midnight on the day after.  Thanksgiving should always be Thanksgiving, and no one needs any of the stuff they open early to sell that badly.  If stores really feel it is necessary, it should be the administrative managers who work, since they are the ones making the decision.

6.  Yes, I am aware that when the Europeans arrived, it all started to go downhill quickly for the Native Americans.  But Thanksgiving is not the time to say to someone, "I hope you enjoy the day that commemorates the genocide of an entire people."  Anyone who says something like that to me is immediately dead to me forever.

And now, you have the Rules of Thanksgiving according to Bridget.  You're welcome.  ;-)