My 180

I interrupt my scheduled post to announce the best news I have heard in a long time. And before I share, I'd like to apologize for a mention of Christmas before Thanksgiving. It is such good news and once it gets out, it may have an impact on your shopping. So, here's to a head start that will save you a ton of headaches on Christmas Day.

Have you heard the good news from Amazon.com? They are introducing stress free packaging of kids' toys. Yes, you read that correctly. No more toys wrapped up in wires and plastic. It will not take a trip to the emergency room for your little Johnnie to play with his toys right away. The toys will come in an environmentally friendly brown simple box. You will simply pull the product out and the child can play. Can you even imagine?

Jeff Bezos, CEO of of Amazon said that there are starting this packaging with their best sellers. And from there on, they will expand it to their line of toys. It may take some time. It is a multi-year initiative. Sounds good to me. I will wait as long as it takes and reward Amazon with my business. Thank you Amazon!

I have always loved Amazon. You can't beat their prices, free shipping and their selection. Often times, I have found their prices to be cheaper than the stores and with NO TAX. Delivered to my door without a shopping trip with screaming and fighting kids, priceless.

So forget what I said about shopping before Thanksgiving in a post a few days ago. There may be a run on the best sellers with the new packaging. Better make your list and check it twice. Getting shopping people. There's only 38 days until Christmas!

Me? Bah Humbug?

Harry Connick Jr. wrote one of my favorite Christmas songs. The words of "When My Heart Finds Christmas" are:

In my eyes are valentines

And Easter eggs and New Year's wine

But when my heart finds Christmas

My eyes will shine like new

All the days are kind to me

But fall too far behind to see

But when my heart finds Christmas

I hope it finds you too

Lately, I have wondered what is wrong with me. Why am I not more excited about Christmas coming? It is everywhere. I went to Walmart yesterday and tried to walk down the Christmas section. I couldn't do it. I am just not into it.

I then thought about when I'd put up the tree and decorations. I even scheduled an event in early December at my house to force me to get my decorations up. Should it be so much work and something I dread? What is wrong with me? I love everything about Christmas. I get into it 100 percent.

It then dawned on me. IT IS NOT CHRISTMAS! I shouldn't be in the mood to start my Christmas cards or shop for gifts. I can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving for everything it means to me. I can look out at the leaves and soak in their color. I can put out my turkey decorations and gear up for the big family dinner and the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. We can even make turkeys with feathers that list everything we are grateful for. We can't miss Thanksgiving and all of the memories.

Retailers almost had me fooled. I know they are hurting. But, I think America is hurting for more than retail therapy. We need family. We need to be grateful. We need each other. Don't be afraid to ignore the commercials, music at the stores and the Christmas aisle. It is only November and we have so much to be grateful for. Let's celebrate Thanksgiving. And eventually my heart will find Christmas. But for now, I have to count my blessings and be thankful.