2008 Woodie Awards
What EIU is thankful for
Tyler Smith/Online Reporter
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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Black Friday, Cyber Monday, football, long lines, traffic jams, the Macy's Day Parade. These are terms that are normally associated with Thanksgiving weekend.
As the holiday approaches, people prepare for what is considered by many as the busiest time of the year.
The commercialism of Thanksgiving, however, sometimes overshadows its true meaning. In many cases, Thanksgiving is practically overlooked.
Black Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving, considered to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Christmas sales begin after Thanksgiving and shoppers plot, plan, then rush to the nearest store, mall, or online retailer to make sure they are able to purchase this years' hottest new items for Christmas before they're all gone.
"Black Friday is always big news," explains Jim Martin, vice president of Information Products of ShopperTrak. "Retailers and economists watch what consumers do and try to gauge the mood of the season."
The National Football League has shown games on Thanksgiving Day for years. This year, the NFL will be showing a third game, giving the avid sports fan even more gridiron action between turkey and pumpkin pie.
While all of these activities seem to have become tradition and customary on Thanksgiving, they tend to shift the focus from what the holiday is really all about. Being thankful for the things we are given.
While people stand in long lines, complaining about a slow cashier, sit in traffic, wondering why people can't figure out that green means GO, or question the football referee's manhood, how many of them actually take the time to be thankful for the money they have to shop for nice things for Christmas, or the cars that they are driving, or the big screen, high definition televisions they own?
So this year for Thanksgiving, people should take the time to focus on what they are thankful for. From family and friends to the very food on our table, the list goes on and on. Many people around campus are able to find many things to be thankful for.
As the holiday approaches, people prepare for what is considered by many as the busiest time of the year.
The commercialism of Thanksgiving, however, sometimes overshadows its true meaning. In many cases, Thanksgiving is practically overlooked.
Black Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving, considered to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Christmas sales begin after Thanksgiving and shoppers plot, plan, then rush to the nearest store, mall, or online retailer to make sure they are able to purchase this years' hottest new items for Christmas before they're all gone.
"Black Friday is always big news," explains Jim Martin, vice president of Information Products of ShopperTrak. "Retailers and economists watch what consumers do and try to gauge the mood of the season."
The National Football League has shown games on Thanksgiving Day for years. This year, the NFL will be showing a third game, giving the avid sports fan even more gridiron action between turkey and pumpkin pie.
While all of these activities seem to have become tradition and customary on Thanksgiving, they tend to shift the focus from what the holiday is really all about. Being thankful for the things we are given.
While people stand in long lines, complaining about a slow cashier, sit in traffic, wondering why people can't figure out that green means GO, or question the football referee's manhood, how many of them actually take the time to be thankful for the money they have to shop for nice things for Christmas, or the cars that they are driving, or the big screen, high definition televisions they own?
So this year for Thanksgiving, people should take the time to focus on what they are thankful for. From family and friends to the very food on our table, the list goes on and on. Many people around campus are able to find many things to be thankful for.
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