T’was the night before Thanksgiving, when all through the house…

Okay, okay, wrong holiday. But really, how do we not have better Thanksgiving songs and tales after all this time? In the great words of Sally Brown from A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: “I went down to buy a turkey tree, and all they have are things for Christmas.”

While Thanksgiving may not be Christmas, it certainly deserves more fanfare and recognition than it currently gets. Especially when the moment the forks are put down, many turn their eyes to Black Friday. So this year, let’s give Thanksgiving its time in the spotlight and focus on the true meaning of the day.

Don’t fall under a Black Friday spell

Despite the intended meaning of Thanksgiving—an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and reflect on all that we have—the spirit of the holiday is often overshadowed by the day that follows: Black Friday. After a day of being grateful, we all run out to the stores to buy more things to be grateful for. This is, of course, one of the largest spending days of the year in America.

Shoppers might not even wait for Black Friday, as many start their shopping on Thanksgiving Day itself. In fact, according to a consumer survey conducted by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, this year alone, a record 186.9 million people are planning to shop from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday.

With such large amounts of money on the move, it can be easy for credit unions as financial institutions to prioritize the plethora of incoming transactions from members. However, it’s important not to let Black Friday overwhelm Thanksgiving, especially when it comes to your employees. With many traveling to see family, there should be little pressure to have your whole staff back in the office the very next day.

Thanks to digital banking technology, your members can access their financials even if your staff isn’t around. Black Friday deals aren’t limited to Black Friday anymore, either. Many stores start their sales in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, so there’s no need to feel like this is a pinnacle day to be open and accessible. Have a few employees come in if absolutely necessary, but try to do something for them to show your thanks. Treat them to breakfast or lunch, and perhaps let them leave early if possible.

Remember, the cooperative difference is not just in the way we treat our members, but in the way the credit union operates completely, including how we treat our teams. Make sure to show your staff that difference this week!

Start gearing up for the holiday season

Now, I meant what I said: keep Thanksgiving the focus of this week. But once you and your team return to work after a holiday weekend full of good food and family fun, it might be time to cast your eyes onto the next holiday on the horizon: Christmas. There are food and toy drives to be organized, after all!

No matter how you choose to show your thanks to your members and staff this Thanksgiving, try to keep the reason for the season at top of mind. And from all of us at CUSO Magazine to you, your staff, your members, and your families, we hope you have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.