Next Friday is what we call Black Friday. It is the day after our yearly Thanksgiving celebration where Americans gather to give thanks and eat a lot of food. Schools do little skits about Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing foods, etc. It also marks the beginning of the Christmas season to many. Well, it use to. When I was a kid we would spend Thanksgiving morning watching the Macy’s Thanksgivings Day parade live on TV and then football and a wonderful turkey dinner and pies for dessert and watch the original Miracle on 34th Street with Maureen O’Hara. Love this holiday.
Then somewhere along the way Friday became the day of mega sales and shopping for Christmas and talk of stores being open Thanksgiving Day to get a head start on shopping. I’m not a good shopper. As a matter of fact I would rather do it online and even then I usually know what I want and am not swayed by sales gimmicks. Once, my husband and I did a black Friday shopping trip. I confess I didn’t even know about that day of sales and mania. We were living in Southern California at the time and drove up to Anaheim to spend a few days with the in-laws for Thanksgiving. I think we had two children at that time. At Thanksgiving dinner we were told that we were going Christmas shopping the next day and grandma and grandpa were going to watch the kids and then they handed us a check. We were very grateful for the financial assistance and the babysitting.
We got up the next day and headed to their bank to cash their check. That took forever. The line at the bank was ridiculous. I doubted then that perhaps we shouldn’t do this. We left and went shopping. I can’t even remember if we bought anything. The crowds were overwhelming. I questioned whether this was even worth all this trouble.
Some people love it. I have a relative that thrives on it – it’s a high for her. It’s a downer for me. It’s like flying from Philadelphia to Kansas City. It’s a two, maybe two and a half hour flight one way. To “save” money you can purchase the flight that is not direct. It can take up to eight hours or more via Detroit, or Houston or lower Swabovia. OR you can purchase the direct flight and be home for lunch and dinner the same day. I say spend the extra. It’s not that much more. I enjoy living a life with the least amount of stress as possible.
Back to black Friday shopping. Hats off to those of you who love it and can actually find bargains and things that you really wanted to give as gifts to someone. But personally, if you are buying just for the sake of buying and for the sake of a great price and you didn’t really plan on purchasing that gift to begin with, then is it really worth it? Convince me, please. Give me your best case. I’m open, sort of.
As for me, I will be enjoying a warm house next Friday. I will be decorating for Christmas or crocheting or reading a good book. I will also be eating left over turkey and pie and probably blogging about it.
Enjoy!
cate b
Let's Have Another Piece of Pie 
Got it now!! TY …. 🙂
:). Thanks for following.
I already ordered something in the pre black Friday sales they now have online. They ship it to me free, I get the same savings and I don’t have to mess with the crowds.
exactly! 😀