This week marks the kickoff of the 2012 holiday season. Many of us will be dusting off the Christmas decorations, getting them ready or perhaps even putting a few up this week.
Thursday, birds and people will be getting stuffed as the country celebrates Thanksgiving. Nothing like turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie to ruin once and for all the New Year's resolution to lose weight this year.
Putting the feet up and watching a couple of football games puts the finishing touch on a day of gorging coupled with absolutely no exercises. Barely any movement, for that matter.
From Thanksgiving, we roll right into Black Friday - the busiest shopping day of the year. Supposedly it got its name as the day stores achieve profitability for the year. Whatever the reason for its name, though, stores will be competing for our holiday shopping dollars with spectacular sales.
Somewhat new this year, though, is Small Business Saturday. There is an effort being made (for the first time collectively) to ask retail patrons to remember small businesses when they do their holiday shopping. The stores that are owned by Mom and Pop need your patronage, too. Make it a point to visit a couple of them this Saturday.
The holidays are exciting, happy times. But, please don't forget those less fortunate while making your plans. A donation to Maui Food Bank, Feed My Sheep or The Salvation Army is a great family gift.
Holidays are even better when they are shared.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
