Have you noticed that Christmas seems to come earlier every year? I feel like they put out the Christmas trees in September! Which does sort of make sense from a retailer point of view. After people spend money on back to school, they spend money on Halloween. And then, the payload . . . Christmas!
However, I believe that life is about more than just spending money. In fact, it sort of makes sense that advertisers want to skip over Thanksgiving, since Thanksgiving is the holiday where we are thankful for what we have, as opposed to running out and buying MORE.
It is in that spirit that I invite you to join me to #takebacknovember. It’s not a “challenge.” Goodness knows there are enough of those out there! Consider this an invitation to notice; to celebrate November; to delay the Christmas madness for just a little while; to cultivate a sense of thanksgiving.
There are a few different ways in which you can participate.
- Join the #takebacknovember Facebook group. This will be a place where we can share ideas for cultivating a sense of gratitude and small ways to celebrate November.
- Subscribe to daily reminders. Each morning I’ll be sending out a short reflection and prompt to encourage you to #takebacknovember. If you’d like to receive these, please fill out the form below.
- Use the daily prompts below to inspire Instagram photos, tweets, etc. It’s in a Google calendar format so you can easily download it to your phone. When you share your image on social media, please use the hashtag #takebacknovember and tag @wholisticwoman on Instagram and @wholistic_woman on Twitter
Ok I love this idea! I’m all in for the #takebacknovember campaign!! I don’t decorate for Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving and love the idea of focusing on gratitude this month!
me too! I love the day after Thanksgiving tree trimming tradition.
That is so true! I feel like it goes straight from summer right to Christmas! This year, our youngest daughter insisted she come down and decorate our house for fall. It’s the first time we’ve ever done that as we usually only decorate for Christmas. It is really nice to #TAKEBACKNOVEMBER! Living out here (CA) it’s not super fallish so having leaves, pine cones, and fall colors all over the inside of my house feels so cozy. This November, there will be more celebrating November, Thanksgiving, and all the important days to be grateful for in between. Thanks for the great post, the great reminder. Have yourself a wonderful Thanksgiving season!
Thank you!
what a great idea, I do not like seeing all the Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving! I do remember a time when it use to not be this way. Before we know it well have July 4th then Christmas season starts! I just hope they don’t get rid of Halloween too. 🙁
Me too! Halloween is so fun.
I really like this idea and have made it a point to shop at stores that have agreed to be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year. Black “Friday” does not need to start at noon on Thursday! I do try to hold off on everything Christmas until after Thanksgiving except for Christmas music 😉 I just can’t help myself! I only get to listen once per year so once Halloween is through, I have to admit that I turn on my holiday tunes.
I admit I like listening to holiday music early too 🙂 My husband doesn’t though so I have to listen while I’m in the car on the way to work.
This is such a great idea! I love it!
I’m in. Never decorate until the day after Thanksgiving. I love all my fall decorations and my thankful table runner. I’m thankful for Thanksgiving and all I have right here and now.