Editorial | Have a happy Thanksgiving
Count us among those who love Thanksgiving.
Turkey and stuffing. Mashed potatoes and gravy. All of the sides we grew up anticipating as the tantalizing drift of scents from the kitchen filled the house.
Steeped in tradition, basted in symbolism, Thanksgiving is the day we, as a people, pause to give thanks for the things for which we are grateful — food on the table, family and friends and a coming together where differences are, hopefully, set aside for at least a day.
It’s an odd dichotomy that’s uniquely American — as is, perhaps, the traditional after-party known as Black Friday.
While many us now jump-start the holiday season with preview shopping and preview sales, Black Friday and its retail sibling Small Business Saturday herald in the ho-ho-holidays that not only are marked with food and family but presents — exclamation point, exclamation point!
We both agree and believe that consumerism is not the meaning of the season but the shopping season is important for businesses, especially here in Southwest Florida where recovery from Ian and the hurricanes that followed is still a painfully slow work in progress.
Some good news?
“A record 186.9 million people are planning to shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year,” according to the consumer survey released Nov. 20 by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, which adds the estimate is up “more than 3 million total shoppers from the previous record of 183.4 million last year.”
You can count us also among shoppers who love bargains.
With numerous stores — Belk, Kohl’s, HomeGoods, Bealls, Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s and much, much and more — there’s ample opportunity to do just that that on this side of the river and close by.
But bargains aren’t limited to the major retailers.
Savvy quality-first shoppers and penny-pinchers alike know locally owned specialty shops and independent franchises are an additional shopping option.
Small Business Saturday celebrates independents and small enterprises, which also hope to entice gift buyers as they begin their holiday push.
As you put your shopping lists together, consider what the Cape has to offer this holiday season: Ornaments and collectibles. Cookies, cakes, pastries and holiday breads. Special ingredients for once-a-year dishes, fresh local seafood, deli delights, and jars and tins for hand-made gift baskets. Holiday sweaters, cocktail dresses and Florida flair. One-of-a-kind jewelry, pricey and not. Plants, flowers, furnishings and incidentals that will be cherished long after the holidays have passed.
Our community’s various retailers remain a virtual treasure trove of the unique and what’s special and there are lots of ways to support local businesses which, yes, offer online shopping and gift cards.
Whether you choose to shop at retailers big, small, or both, enjoy the search for all the gifts on your shopping list.
Today’s Weekend Breeze — at record Black Friday size — is a good place to start for a look at what businesses here in the Cape have to offer.
And yes, please enjoy your turkey and all your favorite fixins.
Kick back with family for a slice of pumpkin pie, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and your gridiron clash of choice.
We wish you a happy Thanksgiving, and we offer a reminder:
Only 26 more shopping days to Christmas!
Breeze editorial