Merry Greetings!

My wife made the first pumpkin pies of the season this week. She apologized for them right away, complaining about the crust. Of course, that's wife-speak. When she apologizes for something she makes that means it's darn near perfect. And it was, too. But the taste of pumpkin in my mouth has me thinking Thanksgiving this week! And we've got a lot to offer in celebration of the grand day that officially kicks off the Christmas season:

In this issue:
-- Celebrate Thanksgiving!
-- Wal Mart Allows the "C" Word
-- More Black Friday Hype
-- Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas
-- Why Santa Prefers Thanksgiving
-- All New Santa Updates!
-- That's How You Eat Gravy

The Merry News is brought to you by:

Celebrate Thanksgiving!

We believe it is altogether appropriate that the Christmas holiday season really begins with a day devoted to giving thanks. For many of us, a simple day of being with family and counting blessings is Christmas! This merry section of My Merry Christmas is devoted to this special day. We asked several of our favorite contributors to give us their thoughts, ideas and suggestions that we could pass on to you in advance of Thanksgiving. Here is what they came up with:
Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations
How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner
The Bountiful Thanksgiving Centerpiece
How to Stick to Your Diet This Thanksgiving
The Stress-Free Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Activities for Children
Craft Ideas for Thanksgiving
Time-Saving Thanksgiving Tips

Wal Mart Decides to Use the "C" Word

Another year another approach to the politcal correctness battle over Christmas for Wal Mart. Last year they were unapologetic for not saying the word "christmas". This year they won't hesitate in saying it. For Wally World, "whatever sells" seems to be the motto. Click here for the latest headlines of Christmas in the News.

Black Friday: More Hype

We got lots of email from last week's mention of Black Friday. The reaction was especially sharp to our feature of a Utah mall planning to open at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday. Love it or hate it, Black Friday seems to bring out plenty of opinions:

"The new low in corporate greed is on display there in Utah. I thought Utah was all about families? If my wife worked at that mall I'd make her quit on Thanksgiving eve."

"I can buy shoes at one in the morning?!!! Where do I sign up?"

"I love shopping on the day BEFORE Thanksgiving. The deals are just as good and the crowds are all at the grocery store."

Regardless of where you stand on the whole Black Friday thing, here are a couple of websites you can check on to watch it unfold online:
Black Friday Home
Black Friday.info
Bargain Share
Slick Deals

Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas

There isn't much to the life of a scarecrow -- especially at Christmas when there aren't any birds in the sky to scare away. This 100-year old story of Jimmy Scarecrow teaches us his lessons of Christmas giving and receiving.

Why Thanksgiving is Santa's Favorite Holiday

Elf Ed Zachary, famed columnist at the North Pole Gazette, explains in his unique way how Thanksgiving beats out Christmas for the Big Guy:

Some readers write the dumbest letters. A man from Toledo wrote to say that everyday is Christmas at the North Pole and that there are no other holidays observed here. Isn't it funny how someone so far away can be an expert on a place he has never been? Frankly, that guy doesn't have all his reindeer hitched to his sleigh, if you ask me. No offense, Mr. Toledo. But you don't know Santa from shinola.

Click here for more of Elf Ed's Thanksgiving Rant.

The Countdown Clock has Started!

Speaking of the North Pole, the countdown clock to Santa's Christmas Eve ride has started! Courtesy of Elf Ernest and the merry group of elves working at Santa Update, the clock has started and the 2006 updates are underway. Be sure to bookmark this page -- more than half a million followed along with us last Christmas Eve! And if you haven't seen them yet, here are some recent updates Ernest has posted:

North Pole Recovers from Wild Halloween Party
Santa Appoints Elf Quinton as Flight Director

That's How You Eat Gravy

A big Thanksgiving gathering can be stressful for those hosting and those attending. Family members who don't get along or simple personality quirks always make for interesting events. Here is a true story of Holiday Disaster that will get a chuckle for those who mix young and old around the Thanksgiving table.

Parting Shot...

Just like clockwork the letters to Santa have started to pour in. Years ago Santa asked me to funnel email to him before he even had email and since that time we've processed millions of free emails from kids directly to Santa.

The purity in these letters is something to read. Some times kids say they "hate" their siblings while other times they admit they would rather get nothing for Christmas if it meant only seeing someone else get what they want.

It's more than enough to make you laugh or cry. But this week a simple email arrived that really got Santa's attention. When he pointed it out to me, I had to laugh.

Dear Santa,
Who am I trying to kid? Please send my lump of coal to my Dad. He's been good for sure. He can use the coal on his barbeque. Hopefully I will see you next year.
love,
Dylan

-- All the best, Jeff