Shopping or Hiding?
The Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States is termed Black Friday, and signals the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s become rather controversial the last few years as stores open earlier and earlier. This year, instead of beginning Black Friday sales at midnight, some stores opened on Thanksgiving evening.
My local online paper featured several stories about people who began camping out as early as Wednesday afternoon in front of Best Buy to be first in line for the sales. Just the thought of it made me cringe. Stand in line for concert tickets? Yes, I did that in my youth (and hope to never do so again). But camp for days to get a sale? No.
I’ve never quite understood the “magic” of Black Friday. Years ago, when I lived in Chicago, several friends convinced me to meet them for Black Friday shopping on Michigan Avenue (big shopping area in town). We met at about 10am, and I couldn’t believe the crowds. Things were so bad that in Water Tower Place (an indoor shopping center) I couldn’t even find a place to sit down to rest. We ended up standing in a bar to eat, because there were no tables to sit at for lunch. I left quickly after that, having made no purchases, and went back to my quiet home and read. That’s the last time I’ve ventured out on Black Friday; until today.
The last few years I’ve pretty much stayed inside on Black Friday, happy with a good book and plenty of food. Today I’ve made plans to meet an out-of-town friend for an early lunch. But the restaurant we selected is nowhere near any big box stores. I’m hoping for a quiet lunch far from the holiday shoppers. After that, I’ll once again head home to read.
Boring? Perhaps. But curling up in a comfy chair with a nice mug of tea and a good book sounds like the perfect Black Friday to me. What about you? Do you plan to hit the stores (or have you already done so) for holiday bargains? Will you be at home thinking of creative uses for leftover turkey? Or do you have to work today?
-LinnieGayl
I’ve never been a Black Friday shopper. Recently, though, I’ve gotten into “Shop Small” Saturday, which is a movement (sponsored by AmEx) to get folks to shop their small, locally-owned businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — which is what I’ll be doing tomorrow!
Today, hubby and I are having our own Thanksgiving after the big one up at his parents yesterday — we’ll smoke a turkey on our grill and I’ll make us the associated fixings (homemade dressing, homemade rolls, homemade cranberry sauce, broccoli & cauliflower with RF homemade cheese sauce), enjoy appetizers up until then, and just chillax. :-)
Not going out anywhere near shopping crowds today. I’ll wait until 4 or 5pm when they are tiring and want to go back home. But then I won’t be out there for shopping. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble with my smartphone and want to get it checked. But that will have to wait until tomorrow. Happy shopping to all who love this day. And happy something or other to everyone else who prefer doing anything but that.
Oh—I understand the reason why it’s called Black Friday, but that’s the most horrible name for a supposedly fun activity for some. Even Shopping Friday sounds better than Black. Horrible.
:) Those are my thoughts as well, Elaine. I did pick up one of the Kindle deals of the day this morning, Mariana by Susanna Kearsley. But that’s going to be the extent of my shopping for the day.
Never. The misery known as Black Friday is not my idea of fun. Many of those “bargains” can be gotten online, and if not, they’re not worth the agony. If I can’t get it from the comfort of my desktop, forget it. This year I’m workiing, but not till later, and I’m trying to cut down on my unnecessary consumerism anyway. I’ve got a good book going. Bring on the tea.