There are a lot of complaints about how Black Friday is creeping into Thanksgiving. I agree it’s a shame that store employees can’t even have all of Thanksgiving off — because of having to come in for midnight or 10 p.m. openings.I like the approach of Respect the Bird, holding off shopping until after November 24.

But “Black Friday Creep” is not a case of Christmas swallowing Thanksgiving, it’s a case of Excessmas swallowing Thanksgiving. “Excessmas” is the new word that designates the part of Christmas devoted to excess in shopping and spending. That’s the threat to Thanksgiving. The joyful, non-materialistic celebration of Christmas is no threat to Thanksgiving at all.