To Shop or Not to Shop..

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.

Via