Black Friday

Black Friday has marked the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season since 1952.  The term “Black Friday” has many sources and it’s difficult to know with any certainty which one is accurate.  The term gained popularity in the 1980s and refers (the most commonly accepted reference) to retailers operating “in the red” for the majority of the year and then turning a profit, or operating “in the black” beginning the day after Thanksgiving when sales increase.  Again, there are different opinions as to the origin of the name. The day after Thanksgiving has been the busiest shopping day of the year, with a few exceptions, dating back to the 1800s.

Black Friday is a chance for people to score amazing deals and get a great deal of bang for their buck.  I went shopping once on black Friday with my mother in law several years ago. The stores were swarming with people and it was difficult to even walk through some areas.  People were rude and acting crazy, and I swore I would never do it again. I detest shopping anywhere, for anything, between the middle of November until January. It’s my personal opinion that most people are a**holes, and this time of year brings out the worst in those a**holes.  I try to start my Christmas shopping in October and I aim to be done by Thanksgiving, but this rarely happens. I try to order online after Thanksgiving or go shopping at late hours to avoid the sale crazed maniacs. I like saving money as much as the next tight a** but I’m not willing to deal with havoc to do so.

My issue with Black Friday is the perpetuation of mindless consumerism. Everything is designed to get your money and so many people spend money they don’t have on things that are not needed or appreciated.  I set an approximate budget every year and I try to stick to it. While we could afford to spend more on our kids, I firmly believe that there is a right amount to spend.  What’s the right amount?  It lies somewhere between too little and too much.  You don’t have to make it rain on Christmas, you just have to make it special.  I’ve noticed that often when children have more, they appreciate it less.  I’ll talk about some of the ways we make the holidays special in upcoming posts.

Before you head out to do your Christmas shopping, make a list and an approximate budget.  Think about what the recipient wants and what they need.  Give meaningful gifts instead of filler gifts that will be lost in a closet, drawer, or donated.  Ask yourself if what you are buying will be appreciated and if you can afford it. Don’t fall victim to the urge to give more because society tells you that you should.  

Make the holiday season special and enjoy your family.  Teach your children it’s about more than gifts.