Funny how we vote "NO we want more time with family" but more and more stores are opening. I think Blue Laws are archaic but maybe we need to really think about how instant access to everything has change America....maybe for the worse. Strong families are the backbone of a strong country and stable economy!!!

I think it's sad to make retail employees work on Thanksiving and the day after - come on people!

How pathetic that Thanksgiving...a very special American Holiday should be so thoughtlessly approached by greedy darlings. We have so, so much to be thankful for. Why not join in the American way and sell your wares another day!!

the only shopping that I do on the thanksgiving weekend is at the Kennedy Kreiger Festival of Trees. I can't remember the last time that I was in a mall to shop and FoT helps sick children.

Who has money to shop?

Bring back the Blue Laws!! Life was so much nicer and easier when malls and stores had no Sunday hours and kept decent retail business hours during the week.

bring back the blue laws!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas shopping is a big scam perpetrated upon the American people. First it starts out "busineses are hoping for a big turnout of shoppers this year," and then as Dec 25 approaches we'll hear " businesses are worried that Americans aren't spending enough this year"...and on and on. Any economy that is so dependent on consumer spending probably is doomed to fail especially when many of the products are made by overseas workers. To answer the question, no, I do not shop on Thanksgiving Day or the day after.

Bah - hum bug!! :)

I am thankful on Thanksgiving for a day off and I count on everyone else taking a day off, too. In the news business, the more people are out and about, the more news!

I love Thanksgiving and Easter for the pleasant, laid-back time with family or just enjoying my wife. I used to love Christmas as well, when I was a kid. It sickens me to witness what the Holidays have become in this country. I've heard more than a few times about women fist-fighting to grab the last bargains for gifts. Yes, it seems businesses start earlier every year and bombard us with ads and commercials, pushing us to buy, buy, buy. Yet, I can't really blame them for what the season has become. What used to be a celebration of Christ's birth has become a become a festival of greed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get back to what Christmas should be, a time of peace and giving out of love?

November 1st is the new start of the Christmas season. I went to Old Navy the weekend after Halloween and they were decorated for and playing Christmas music...I got miffed and left. Walked over to the Kohl's and the exact same thing....I got angry and left. I like Christmas as much as anyone else, but I don't like the retailers shoving it down my throat before Thanksgiving. I will not even go into a mall to Christmas shop until early December. Retailers have lost my business for the month of November (except for the Festival of Trees).

Wonder how our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq will be celebrating their holidays. It just seems so wrong to be focusing on the crass and commercial when people are dying every day to protect our country.

I do understand what you are saying Chris, but wonder how you feel the Holiday Season should be celebrated?

I normally celebrate christmas from november thru january....gifting daily.....but I always remember to give thanks on thanksgiving and to celebrate the dawn of a new year on new years eve....it's all about celebration and LOVE!

There will always be folks who over do it at any time of year, not just the holiday season. So what?? I have reached that special age when it hits one how very lucky to be a part of life, to take the opportunity to be part of all the festivities, colors, sounds, sights and the music ....ahhh, yes - the wonderful music. Now..just a little snow sprinkling here and there, now and again that would do nicely. My feeling is that we the need the joy and it doesn't take spending too much money, but helps to spread the true meaning around a little...so many others in the world are "stomping" on each other toward an end that only God knows will be. or we could just sit down and say "Bah, humbug." Yikes...how boring!!! And so Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, et.al. the reasons for celebration are many- just don't let the downside of certain man-made garbaaage kick you in the butt-a-voo. :)

We do no Christmas shopping or gift giving at all to our adult children and family. Instead with adopt families and give money to local agencies that help those in need. I hate how commercialized the Holiday season has become so I do not partake.