As the creepy Halloween decorations are being pulled from retail store shelves, they are being replaced with festive winter and Christmas decorations. Snowmen are smiling at possible owners, vivid reds and deep greens light up excited eyes, and children are eagerly pointing out various Santa Claus items.

However, there is still over a month ’til Christmas day, and until then, there is another holiday that takes place right in the middle. Thanksgiving.

Times have changed. Not many people get together like they used to and for various reasons.

Perhaps they are not willing to drive, cook a feast, or it may not be the same without the attendance of a certain family member.

Since my grandmother passed away in 2004, we have only gotten together once that I recall, and that was our first Thanksgiving without her.

We would all meet at her house for a Thanksgiving feast.

The adults would work on cooking while the grandchildren played.

Now, each sibling and his or her family do their own thing. Whether they cook their own meal or not is up to them.

My parents and I still cook and invite my grandfather over along with my mom’s mother, but it is still not the same.

What people really care about now is Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

These two shopping days when sales are present in every store possible, are when most people begin their Christmas shopping.

People camp out in front of the store that is No. 1 on their list.

Now on Thanksgiving Day, people spend time browsing through sales ads that have been crammed to fit into newspapers, and making lists of what doorbusters to rush to.

There are even websites promoting Cyber Monday and offering various discounts.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the primary shopping events people associate with Thanksgiving.

Christmas decorations overflow the seasonal shelves, allotting little room for Thanksgiving decorations.

When it comes to Thanksgiving décor, the only ones my mind can quickly conjure up are dancing turkeys and cute fall scarecrows.

Perhaps retail stores see no use in filling more shelves with Turkey Day decorations because they believe the most profitable aspect of Thanksgiving are the day-after sale events.

I hope as you all go home for the short Thanksgiving break that you keep in mind the true meaning of the special Thursday.

Of course, enjoy the various sales Black Friday and Cyber Monday have to offer but keep in mind they cannot replace the value of time spent with family and close friends.

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