More gentle ways to begin the holiday season

Times have changed.

The holiday season once started with tree lighting ceremonies and carolling.

Now, it starts with Black Friday mayhem, marked by frantic shoppers crowding and scrambling for sale goods.

One desperate woman pepper sprayed her competitors for discounted merchandise at a WalMart. A man was killed when he was robbed of his Black Friday bounty in a store parking lot. Store employees were injured by the throngs of shoppers rushing to bargains.

Then came Cyber Monday. A day when Internet shoppers click on specials and deals while at work, spending millions.

This week is different....