When the stores in Old Town decided to start opening the morning after Thanksgiving at 6am, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. I was never one to get up the morning after Thanksgiving to go shopping. In truth, I wasn’t one to go out shopping that day at all unless it was to buy a Christmas tree. The first time Bellacara participated, I was so bleary eyed that I don’t remember much about it.In the last several years, I’ve grown to love the day. It has even helped me to enjoy Thanksgiving more. Knowing that I have to get to bed a bit earlier means we start the festivities earlier. Growing up in Southern California, it was tradition to start the morning with a breakfast of Huevos Rancheros. After I had kids, somehow that tradition stopped. We would just all graze as we cooked. Since we wouldn’t host dinner until six o’clock, our guests didn’t arrive until four. By the time the last guest left it was usually pretty late. Recently, I’ve brought back the tradition of making that breakfast and it’s a wonderful time for our family to be together before everyone else arrives. I’ve also moved the dinner time up to four o’clock and this lets me really enjoy my family and guests for hours after dinner. 

Photo Credit: VisitAlexandriaVA.com

The next morning when I open the shop, I’m well rested and happy to be there. I’m happy to be there because everyone who comes in is happy to be there too. It’s dark outside when we open, but all the shops have their lights on. People come in with their coffee cups in hand and smiles on their faces and it feels like the Christmas season officially begins that morning. Everyone is enjoying themselves and it really feels like a Hallmark movie moment. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Seeing everyone walking around the tree lit streets of Old Town really is special. I love this town and I can’t imagine having a store anywhere else.If you’ve never gotten up and joined us for Plaid Friday, consider giving it a shot this year. Take it from a convert herself, it will definitely get you in the spirit of the holiday, you’ll knock a few gifts off your list, and you’ll get to experience a little of what makes Old Town so special.