Almost every year I’m tempted, but I never succumb. This year was particularly difficult. The “too good to be true” opportunity even had my wife thinking it would be a good idea. I am of course referring to purchasing Christmas gifts the weekend after Thanksgiving.
What nearly got us this year was Toys R Us, which had a number of advertised sales on things that we are considering purchasing for our kids. I mean, there were bargains that would have us considering purchasing these for our kids regardless of gift giving.
But no. We held our resolve.
I have long held a belief against purchasing things the day after Thanksgiving. IT always seems counter to the holiday. Black Friday refers to the virtual ledger that stores maintain, in accounting, when in debt, or with a negative cash flow, red ink is used. There’s a lot of purchasing done the weekend after Thanksgiving, stores quite often switch from red to black ink.
Over the last 20 years more and more sales and other enticements have gained more and more prominence. The thought of having a day where we pause ang give thanks for what we have suddenly whiplashed around to a materialistic center, well, it bothers me.
To be clear, I’m not against buying things. I’m not even advocating making purchases in places other than national retail chains. Yes, I will support local business, but there are certain realities we need to come to terms with.
As Black Friday has extended into the whole weekend, Cyber Monday has come about. This is more recent, I think in the last 10 years, really. I think the idea is if you couldn’t find it in the story, you might be able to find it online. Again, I declined to participate.
I did go to the store. Friday I took August and Déla to see The Muppets. Saturday I went to Fred Meyer and picked up milk, printer ink and A Christmas Story. Don’t tell my wife I bought the movie. It’s not a present, but the kids are old enough to watch it and I don’t have it. Today I went back to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for dinner tonight and tomorrow.
That was the extent of my purchases over the weekend. I don’t even really like going out of the house the day after Thanksgiving, but Muppets was worth battling traffic and crowds.