Alva Review-Courier -

With the arrival of colder temperatures this week, fall is certainly in full swing, and winter is on its heels. As fall concludes, we find ourselves moving into the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here. We can practically smell the pumpkin pie, hear the noise of family enjoying time together and the never-ending wave of Black Friday ads.

The challenge every year is that Thanksgiving is being swallowed up in the rush to find the hottest deals on junk we probably do not need. Friday’s push-and-grab events replace the quiet gratitude of Thursday’s Thanksgiving dinner, all th...