Holiday kick-off! . . . .

Yesterday I attended the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along with thousands of other spectators who lined up along the streets of New York City. It has always been my own tradition to watch it on TV from the comfort of my own home while I prepare our big Thanksgiving meal, but this year we decided to experience it ourselves. What a festive time! Kanye West and Gladys Knight performed along with many others, while Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, and The Pillsbury Dough Boy floated along overhead. The parade always ends with Santa Claus waving from his sleigh as if it gives us the official o.k. to begin our shopping, put up decorations, and dive in to the Christmas holiday. 

Kanye West

Buzz Lightyear

Smurf

Spiderman

So today is known as Black Friday here in the U.S., which is traditionally the kick-off of the Christmas shopping season. It is a favorite time of year for some, and the most stressful for others. So for those of you who find yourself stressed at this time of year, let me share a few quotes with you that may help you deal with all of the anxiety that comes with having to face the huge crowds while shopping, or that pressing feeling of having to find the perfect gift.

This one from Donald Westlake says, "As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." 

Here is one by Harlan Miller that states, "Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmastime with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don't quite know how to put our love into words."

Bobby, a 7 year-old boy says...."Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

And my favorite........

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

-Oren Arnold

Happy (Black) Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!