I am basically done with shopping for the holiday season and for the year. So, you might wonder why on earth I participateĀ in the Black Friday madness? Let’s be clear, I don’t believe in camping out for deals, waking up at 4:00 a.m. to go to Walmart, or going broke on deals. That’s just so pre-personal finance blogging days.
I still have debt, I still have to focus on paying things down, and I still have a long ways to go. So, why do I like Black Friday? I love seeing the energy all around, the holiday lights lit up and glowing warmly as day turns to night. I love that we can’t help but slow down because we are so freaking tired from the hectic pace that we set for ourselves during the year. I love drinking wassail, hot cocoa, and eating weeks worth of turkey.
I love hanging out with my mom, watching the Westminster Dog Show…even though I’m not a pet person, and seeing the kids sitting on Santa’s lap.
For Me Black Friday is the start of the festive season
I used to work retail for years during the holiday season. I would help people select gifts for their loved ones, smile at babies, and shoot the breeze with the people that I was working with. I love the wrapping paper, the endless Christmas music, and the fact that people are visiting their family and friends.
I love this time of year šĀ
I love turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce (the smooth kind-not chunky), and slow roasted chestnuts cooking on a metal thingie when I’m in New York or Europe.
I love movies like:
- Love Actually
- Bridget Jone’s Diary
- When Harry Met Sally
- A Christmas Carol
I can’t wait to start watching them again. Look, I even included a trailer to refresh your memory! I love this part of the movie. It makes me so happy!
I Don’t Love
- People acting crazy and shouting at people about bull
- People trampling others in a crazed Hunger Game frenzy trying to get the latest “and greatest” electronic gadget on the market
- People going into debt buying gifts for children who would be happy playing with a cardboard box, or forgetting about the adults who actually really just need your time.
- People forgetting that other people are struggling
- People who are selfish and don’t help out at least one other person or family who needs a helping hand.
- Black Friday seeping into Thanksgiving (LAME!)
- Woe is me behavior (this is being directed at myself)
I think that sometimes people forget the beauty of the festive season and get wrapped up in the crappy stuff that comes up at this time of year. Family feuds, loneliness, debt, all of the goals that you didn’t finish, and holiday weight gain.
None of this matters. Life is fluid. You can start again. So, I aggressively enjoy Black Friday and let the chips fall where they may. Everything will be waiting for me later! At least I’ll be rested enough to manage it later.
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Love Actually is one of my favorite movies. Great on you for finishing your holiday shopping so early. You do know you are probably in the only 2% of the world who is actually done right now? Just saying.
It’s such an awesome movie! I knew what I wanted to get and I’ve worked Holiday Retail, so I know how worked up people can get. So, I got it DONE. Now, I can focus on some other things.
I stay far away from the stores, but I do love that glorious day off. I love getting ready for Christmas and seeing the shift in the community’s energy. It is a magical day in its own way!
I usually check things out late in the day after the first wave of people go through the stores. I always enjoy sleeping in as I’m super tired right now. I think it’s a pretty magical day (as long as no one gets trampled).
In my experience, Black Friday calms down after around noon or so. Most of the crazies are out early and home by then.
I’m done with my shopping so I am not going, BUT I really hope there is a hot laptop deal this year. Mine is about to die.
I always roll in around noon and you’re right most of the crazies have calmed down by then. I have one thing to pay for and that’s not at the mall. You should keep an eye out on Cyber Monday for laptop deals.
Agree that Thanksgiving kicks off the Holiday season! Elf is one of our favorite holiday movies. We avoid the black Friday shopping, just don’t want to start off the season with crazy people! š
This year I’m going to watch Mockingjay and Love Actually.
I also love the energy from crowds and often go shopping at the end of December, just for the experience, not because I need anything.
I don’t need anything but I will walk to the mall and check things out. It’s going to be gorgeous this weekend so I’m going to enjoy the weather.
That video was hilarious! Although I like the pretty lights, if I could fast forward from thanksgiving day on to the new year I would. I’m just not a fan of Christmas. I do like some of the movies though. š
You’re talking about the Thanksgiving Rant?! It’s hilarious. I love this whole season…even though this year I don’t want to hang out with anyone. I just want to sleeeeeeppp.
I’ll skip the shopping festivities on Black Friday but I love the holiday itself. I now get to celebrate two Thanksgiving holidays (Canada in Oct/US in Nov) which is great lol! Happy Thanksgiving to you Michelle!
I would love to celebrate Thanksgiving twice!!! It’s my favorite holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to you Kassandra š it’s going to be a gorgeous day here so I can’t wait.
Yeah to Love Actually, weeks worth of turkey, sleeping in, and being with family! š
I also plan on watching Mockingjay this weekend!!!
I enjoy it for many of the same reasons. My sister and I go out late morning and enjoy the atmosphere. We catch the specials at a few higher end stores that we don’t shop the rest of the year. We have a nice late lunch at a better restaurant. We pick up our fresh turkey (we do Thanksgiving the next day) and fresh garlands for our mantels and doorways. I’ve never seen much craziness or crabbiness on Black Friday. My guess is it is because I don’t shop super early or for toys and electronics. I don’t mind shopping on Thursday (for those who want to do it) as many people don’t have anyone to celebrate with on Thursday.
I love the idea of having Thanksgiving dinner on Friday!!! The turkeys are on sale. Brilliant. I have only had positive experiences with Black Friday and I think it’s because I avoid the morning rush. I also have a leisurely meal when shopping. I think people just overthink the whole thing instead of having fun with it.
I never went shopping on Black Friday when I lived in the States. For me the holiday season starts when malls get busy with shoppers, especially during the last couple of weeks before Christmas. I do not, however, go crazy with shopping as it is not an activity that I enjoy that much. I just like the atmosphere of the season.
I love, love, love the atmosphere. I wish the stores would hold off a little longer before putting up their holiday decorations-but, what can I do? So, I just enjoy it!
Good choice of holiday movies! Especially Love Actually and The Christmas Carol (the one with Alastair Sim from 1951). You’re so right about kids not needing great gifts. When I was a teenager, my parents took in foster children, and I remember the Christmas when my mom bought my little foster brother an electric train set, and my dad bought him masking tape and string. Guess which gift he played with most? Have a great Thanksgiving week-end, Michelle!
My best gifts as a child (besides a cardboard box) were the: Holly Hobby baking oven, so freaking awesome!!! And, a bike. I love riding my bike to this day and I remember spending hours riding around in a circle happily. I also enjoyed playing next to the creek…kids probably can’t do that unsupervised anymore. Love Actually makes me so happy š
Hey! I was just about to work on my Why I Don’t Do Black Friday (and never will) post when I saw this. Ha! I wake up in night sweats when I think about my experience (okay, maybe a little melo-dramatic there). I can’t do it! LOL! But I can understand how hanging with your mom and seeing the sights is super cool. I’m looking forward to tracking down one of these mega house lighting neighbors for a drive through with the kiddos. Always liked those!
Toni, I can’t wait to read that post!! I just enjoy the whole weekend. And, usually the weather is really nice here. I plan on walking around a lot, having a nice cup of coffee and sitting on the coffee shop’s patio and just enjoying the frantic, excited energy. Your son is starting to get big enough to “get” what it’s all about.