By Peter Wechsler
President & Co-Founder, Franklin Retirement Solutions
[email protected]
Thanksgiving comes late this year, but the number of shopping days ’til Christmas is one(!) more than last year. Use that time wisely. The good news is that we’re being told that in this time of tariffs and spending cuts, Thanksgiving dinner will cost less than last year… so they say. Just so long as you’re OK with a smaller turkey, you want box stuffing instead of fresh cornbread dressing, forego the cranberry sauce, and don’t mind reducing your dessert intake by 66%.
This year, I get a rare reprieve from hosting or cooking. Family is hosting and more family is taking care of all the food. I’ll do my fair share when it comes to eating, though.
Not everyone is looking forward to gaining weight. I’m fairly certain The Inquirer will be thinner this year than it was last year. It wasn’t that long ago the paper would be stuffed thicker than a phone book, full of Black Friday flyers and holiday circulars. Not anymore. So many stores (and phone books, for that matter) are gone and Black Friday is now more of a season than it is a day. One of my favorite shopping sites has been offering me “Black Friday deals” since Halloween…
As I write every year, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Whether your ancestors came over on the Mayflower, were here to greet them, came not by choice, came over to escape persecution, or came later on a 747, my clients, friends, and most family members tell me the same thing… they love Thanksgiving. Me too!
Yes, I love the food, but that’s not it. And yes, I love the whole family getting together for a joyous feast. Some years it reminds me of Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “Freedom From Want,” although my Thanksgiving table never looks quite like his.
But for me, what I love most about Thanksgiving is that it is truly an American holiday. And because it’s not a religious celebration, no matter what your faith or lack thereof, this is one day where all Americans celebrate together all this country has to offer and how blessed we are to live in the United States.
I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the holiday weekend. As I pen this on Tuesday, I have no plans for shopping this weekend. But that could change if persuaded enough. I rather doubt it.
Enjoy the holiday…
Peter