My Thanksgiving Holiday Rant:

This weekend, five days before Thanksgiving, I stopped at the store to pick up some last minute groceries for the big day of overindulgence of food and family.

 

As I walked up to the front doors of the store, what do I hear? The ringing sound of those annoying Salvation Army bells!

Instantly, my pleasant attitude changed from friendly to annoyed. I thought "it's not even Thanksgiving yet, for petes sake". To top it off, the over cheering bell ringer was yelling to the shoppers “Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah and Kwanza”. I loath political correctness, but that's another article.

 

I then grabbed my cart and tried to ignore the peppy young girl and made my way into the store.

 

I swear God told every elderly senior citizen in the community to go to the store Saturday, because that's where they all were. Slowly tootling down the middle of the aisle, stopping to look at each and every item on the shelves, as carts back up on both sides, trying to pass.

 

After what seemed like an hour to find 8 items, I jumped into the express lane, put my stuff on the conveyor and wouldn't you know...the guy in front of me who has thirty items (I counted) pulls out his coupons and then decides to split the purchases in two so he can use 2 coupons. As I went to clear my 8 items off the conveyor and move to a different lane, a lady pulls up behind me. I was trapped. stuck in the express lane from Hell. And some people wonder what causes road rage?

 

Twenty minutes later, I was heading out the door, listening to the annoying bells and noticing I could also buy a Christmas wreath for my door - five days before Thanksgiving.

 

If the Salvation Army is really hurting for money why did they HIRE 200 bell ringers in the area? If they start so darn early, why don't they continue ringing those annoying bells from Dec. 25 - 31st? As people return unwanted gifts, spend gift cards and hit the stores for discounts - what a better time to hit them up for charity.

 

 

I know it’s annoying to see Christmas decorations appear in Home Depot the day after Halloween, but I can avoid going there until after the holidays. But groceries? It’s bad enough that I get dinged twice every time I go into Safeway; once when I swipe my card and the machine asks me of I want to “round” up to support the non-profit of the week. Next when the cashier asks me the same question, just in case I changed my mind from the time I swiped my card and the time the cashier rings up my last item.

 

Every year Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier.

Will the Christmas "season" start November 1st next year?

Will thanksgiving fade into a memory holiday with little significance at all?

Maybe the SA will wait until AFTER T-day to hit us up and ring their bells until New Years?

 

If you know of any grocery stores void of Bell Ringers, let me know.

 

Until then, I'll work on my patience and stay away from groceries stores during the weekend.

 

May you remember all your blessings and be thankful for them as you gather with family and friends this week.

 -Gary