This is the question many of us are asking as the
newly minted Black Thursday and Friday approaches.
I have always been fascinated with Black Friday...
the idea that people wake up early to stand in line for a big ticketed item for a cheap price....
mind you the big ticketed items are usually limited
and only the first ten customers in line get this said item.
So in the end, all the waiting was for nothing
because you end up getting pushed and shoved only to not even get this said item.
WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES?
Mr. Pancakes and I were talking about this yesterday
and we concluded that sometimes we participate in these events just to say we participated.
I think I have been to a Black Friday event only once
and I think I went after 11:00am which is definitely
way toooo late to venture out to the mall for deals.
But the crowd, the pushing and shoving has never interested me.
I am more of a leisure shopper.
Don't get me wrong...i LOVE an awesome deal and I am the first to say I am a bargain shopper
BUT I guess my desire to get a good deal does not outweigh my sensible side.
People have died for goodness-sake while Black Friday shopping.
And now ALL the stores have decided that one day of crazy shopping is not enough...
they have decided to add another day. Not just any other day but Thanksgiving Day.
One of the days out of the here which is supposed to be designated
for spending quality family time, eating, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
Even if you don't like your Crazy Uncle or Nutty Cousin,
you get to spend the day making jokes about them in front of them.
The fact that stores will try to take this away from families is just down right greedy!!
Of course, there is CHOICE in all of this.
People get to choose whether to shop or not to shop but why even give people that option?
Certain times out of the year should be sacred family time.
Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas Day.
Birth Days (well I think they should be)
and New Year's Day.
The holidays have become commercialized enough
that we shouldn't take these days away from families to spend quality time together.
Whether you chose to shop or not to shop on the new Black Thursday,
remember what's important this Thanksgiving holiday...your family members.
Because at the end of the day,
electronics will break,
toys will be lost,
clothes will be become old
but the memories of your family's laughter,
conversations and sharing the same space together will last a lifetime.
Becoming a family of three by having Baby Pancakes has solidified for
me the importance of the holidays. Giving toys are fun
but the most important thing I want to give my son is the gift of family.
And that I don't need to stand in line for because it is FREE and PRICELESS.
Question of the Day:
Are you shopping or not shopping?
Disclaimer: This was not the post I planned for today but this was on my heart.
Also thank you for your comments yesterday on my whinyness...patience is definitely a virtue.
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18 comments:
I usually avoid the mall like the plague after the holidays, but I have been scarred for life after working retail my entire college and law school career. The horror.... I'm not sure if the shopping takes people away from their families or not though. Most of my friends who do engage have made it into a family ritual where their entire family takes part in the madness together and look forward to that as much as the pumpkin pie lol
I've found that you can indulge online and avoid the madness, so Internet stalk your wish list if you can! Enjoy your thanksgiving madam!!!!!
I've never been one for crowds when shopping. I guess I'm more like you a leisurely shopper. Best Buy had Black Friday deals open yesterday to Premeire rewards members yesterday only and that was good cause we were able to buy gifts for the fam since we'll be celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving Dec. 2nd instead. I do think its a shame that so many of these retailers have decided to commercialize Thanksgiving. Pretty soon I just think no holidays will even be looked at as family days anymore. Retailers claim there is a demand from customers for the extra day, employees of some retailers have been protesting. Who knows where the truth lies. I like you think certain days should be left sacred....as family time.
I'm not shopping. I have in the past but it was never for the items everyone seems to fight for. I admit they are good deals but it's not worth all the craziness and it does take away from the holiday. I get my shopping done early so I don't have to worry about the holiday crowds. I will instead spend those days eating too much food and watching movies with the girls. Hopefully some good Christmas movies will be on.
I won't be there, its too crazy. Just takes the fun out of the whole season! While everyone is shopping I will be getting my hair done! haha
I shopped in the past but I have not in a while. This Friday my son is playing a football league for the holidays so even if I wanted to I can't.
I don't think I have ever done shopping on Black Friday. It just doesn't interest me even though I like getting great deals!
No. Thank you.
Never have. Probably never will.
I can't believe Black Friday is still as big as it is since online shopping is commonplace now. You can snag a deal online almost anytime of the year -- there are so many deal Websites now!
But yeah, no Black Friday for me. I'll leave that for the others.
I am Black Friday shopping. My mom and I always have fun when we do it and I always score deals. I am not stressing on being someplace at a certain time. If we miss something no big deal!
Good post. I was glad to read this. There are too many people going crazy over Black Friday. The deals aren't that great, and definitely not worth fighting over. I won't be shopping, I never have. People need to prioritize.
I'm an online shopper and can't stand the commercialization of the holidays. With my 2 year old and the thought of creating traditions I'd like to focus more on handmade/thoughtful gifts and supporting small businesses.
I will be shopping for a couple things, but not at the crack of dawn and certainly not by getting competitive with other shoppers. Like you said, material things are just material things, and if I miss out, it's not a big deal.
Since I'm a constant bargain shopper, I'm grateful for the fact that I feel no need to compete w crazy non-shoppers trying to get a deal and falling for the sales-pitch hype of all these stores on my little holiday weekend!
In other words - Black Friday Shopping is for amateurs ;)
Love your blog! You have such a positive energy in your writing! New follower via bloglovin :)
Personally, I'm more of an online shopper. And I highly doubt I'll venture out this Friday with my big preggo belly!
I love Cyber Monday WAY MORE than Black Friday - I can't deal with crowds.
I'll be shopping from the comfy, cozy warmness of my own bed...we do tons of online shopping on Black Friday but we avoid all the crazies!
I will not be there for sure. No deals are worth sacrificing our special time. Plus people always end up spending more because they think that they are getting a deal.
We're having a party tonight (Thanksgiving eve), we'll be spending the day with people on Thanksgiving day, and on Thanksgiving night we will be at Walmart and Target. I don't think it's a big deal to shop. If we didn't get invited over anyone's house we were going to stay home and relax like it was a regular day. I don't see the big deal in shopping. I care more for the people being asked to work that day, but if they don't mind working, I don't mind shopping. There are plenty of hours in the day to do spend time with loved ones AND shop. This will be only my second time ever participating in black Friday deals because I usually have to work on the Friday after, but of course this is also the first time they have been offered on Thursday night. I wont be out on Friday.
I will not be participating this year! The only time I think it's a good idea is when you need appliances or something. Even then...still not sure if it's worth it!
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