Only 28 shopping days left – but forget taking on Black
Friday
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I can tell you exactly
where I’m not going to be.
Shopping.
There’s something about the idea of shopping on
”
Black Friday
”
that freezes the marrow in my bones. I can’t think of anything
less fun than battling hordes of holiday shoppers, high on eggnog
and turkey drippings, who are out to nab whatever super doorbuster
bargains they can find on this most hyped of days.
Only 28 shopping days left – but forget taking on Black Friday
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I can tell you exactly where I’m not going to be.
Shopping.
There’s something about the idea of shopping on “Black Friday” that freezes the marrow in my bones. I can’t think of anything less fun than battling hordes of holiday shoppers, high on eggnog and turkey drippings, who are out to nab whatever super doorbuster bargains they can find on this most hyped of days.
I don’t care if they’re selling HDTVs for 99 cents, I’m not going.
I have a friend who’s very proud of the fact that she goes to the early-morning sales on Black Friday and gets all of her Christmas shopping done by noon. Then she acts all superior and stuff because all she has to do is wrap and slap on a few ribbons, and she’s done with Christmas.
Maybe it’s fun to lord it over other people, but other than that, I don’t see the advantage.
I like to think that I’m fairly immune to most advertising that tries to get me to go anywhere after Turkey Day. After all, it’s for sure that I’ve gained at least 10 pounds at Thanksgiving dinner, and am not fit to be seen in public, except in extra-large sweatpants.
This year, I wasn’t even particularly interested in the pre-Black Friday sales, which I guess did get a lot of people into the stores. The only thing I bought at one of them was a pair of jeans – for myself. Not a holiday gift at all.
Why am I so resistant to the hype? It’s nothing, really. You can chalk it up to general laziness on my part.
When the weather is cold, as it has been lately, it takes a lot to drag me out of bed in the morning unless it’s an extraordinarily good reason.
And saving a few bucks – maybe – on dubious merchandise isn’t my idea of a good enough reason.
I have to admit that when I go Christmas shopping, I like to take my time. I pick up things and examine them closely. I rub fabrics between my fingers. I contemplate items, comparison shop, and most of all, really think about whom I’m buying for and what they’d really like Santa to bring them.
Christmas shopping is still something I like to do. I have nieces and nephews who are still young enough to get a thrill out of opening presents, and I love getting them stuff. Christmas morning wouldn’t be the same without them.
Part of the joy of the season, for me, is to shop, and not to rush through it like it’s just another ordinary chore.
When you go to the Black Friday sales, my fear is that I’d sprint through it all trying to get to the best bargains, and not be able to experience the pleasure of buying gifts for the ones I love.
It’s a ritual that deserves some thought and attention.
And speaking of that, the best things I can think of to do on the day after Thanksgiving are these:
Sleep in. Watch a movie. Check my e-mail. Eat a piece of leftover pumpkin pie. Go back to bed.
Sure, it’s a lazy schedule. But hey, it’s my day off, and that’s what I want to do.
There are still 28 shopping days left until Christmas, and I want to make the most of them.
