Today I have to make one more run to the grocery store. Tomorrow I'll be hiding out. If I leave the house Friday, you can bet I won't be going anywhere near where commerce takes place.I can't remember the last time I went shopping on a "black Friday," but it was before they called it that. Something traumatic must have happened because I haven't ventured out again. Whatever it was, I've blacked it out. It's easy enough to reconstruct: traffic, overloaded parking lots, crowds, artificial bargains, fatigue. It must have gotten to me.
I'm better now, more relaxed. I'm just practicing my own, age-old holiday tradition of not shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I'll see you out there next week and don't worry, I can handle it. I'll be the one screaming "ohm" at the top of my lungs.
31 comments:
Have a nice holiday Petrea.. Its the same with me, if it is not an emergency, I am definitely not going out before the holidays, now I am even extended that principle to weekends..
A wise move, Madam.. to seek Friday solitude and be thankful we have not given in to that greedy commercial lure
I'll be a shopping fiend on Friday.
Online.
Happy Turkey Day!
"Black Friday" sounds to me like the name of something traumatic. Enjoy your quiet time away from the madding crowds, Petrea.
I used to be a part of that scene, but no longer. I will be spending time with family and exercising off the calories consumed on Thanksgiving!
I used to not shop in stores after Thanksgiving, until after after Christmas sales. Don't know if I'll continue this practice in my new town.
ginab:
I never shopped on the day after Thanksgiving, but would wait until the day after Christmas for the real bargains.
I had specific shopping attire--tights, running shoes, a big T-shirt (no coat or big purse), even special shopping jewelry, and carried my own shopping bags.
I would check out the stores, especially Dillard's, on Christmas Eve, to know exactly what was there and where to find it. I focused on marked-down Christmas decorations.
Then on the day, based on the store's opening times, I had a plan and a schedule for each one.
I always got what I wanted, in and out quickly, and spent a fraction of the retail price on multitudes of glorious adornos.
I still have more of those than can fit on our 9-foot tree, and have sold off several lots over the years at garage sales and flea markets.
Now I'm lucky just to get lights on the tree, but the attic is full of wonderful memories!
No more battle shopping for me!
Screaming ohm -- that's really funny. As soon as I finish laughing.... I may join you.
I need some of that special shopping jewelry, ginab. Does it work like a parking angel?
One sunny Black Friday, Abby and I stood on top of Jones Peak high above Sierra Madre, looked down at all the cars crowding the Santa Anita Mall, and pitied the poor shoppers.
Enjoy Thanksgiving, and the peaceful day after.
ginab:
Kind of, Bellis. I had two jeweled pins--one a Master Card and one a VISA.
Also, the big T-shirt that says "IF YOU CAN'T SHOP WITH THE BIG ELVES, GET OUT FROM UNDER THE TREE"
To each of you I want to say "Yeah, yeah, me too!" I see myself in your comments. Then I come upon the comment of ginab, my amazing sister, and I am once again amazed. I was going about it all wrong. It's not supposed to be pleasant, it's a mission to be accomplished. I don't feel sorry for the shoppers now, I admire them and wish them well. Kind of like rooting for a football team. I don't play, but I appreciate the prowess of the athletes.
Kohl's is opening it's doors at 3 am. After the bars close, we can head on over. Join me? the Hiker's on board
Ginab, I love the shirt!
PA, I don't think I'm physically capable. But I want to see the post you do about it.
Have a great Thanksgiving, Petrea. (95% catalogues over here.)
LOL!!! I'm right there with you Petrea! I gave up shopping Black Friday long ago...I gave up on sales altogether when I realized my sizes never make it to the sales racks!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I'm a stealth shopper, making a number of low-level passes through the stores, just to see what catches my eye. Dressed in black to discourage the salesperson's radar, I look to see what might be nice for my family--books here, CDs there, pretty bits of fashion and cosmetic gew-gahs for the girls, toys for the babies--scouting before I buy.
Waiting...waiting til the time is right. Then I swoop in, a laser-guided shopping missle to rescue my presents to be, carrying them away triumphantly, wrapped in bows and glossy paper for my joyous family.
Or I just say "F**k it!" and go on-line. You pick the story. :-)
Somehow, I'm inclined to believe the second option is the chosen one Speedway!!!
I too love the "screaming OHM!". Years ago I learned about mindfulness meditation. I don't sit as often as I should, but I try. I try to practice it while shopping this time of year, but inevitably end up yelling at some moron "Happy F&cking Xmas to you!" when all I'm trying to do is stay out of people's way and pick up shampoo or tylenol.
I've just returned from MY last venture out any time soon. I have places to go this weekend, but will avoid anything to do with shopping. Trader Joe's was a mess, Whole Paycheck was just as bad. oy!
Many years ago I worked Black Friday (when the books get into the black ink, rather than red)...trust me, from the other side of the register, it feels like we should wear black too...a complete zoo! The ONLY way my boss & I got thru "the season" was 2 tall cups of coffee (long before *bux), 1 tall bottle of Kahlua---coffee to keep us going, Kahlua to make us not flip off customers.
ginab:
It occurs to me that I misquoted myself. It's not SHOP WITH THE BIG ELVES; it's WRAP. WRAP WITH THE BIG ELVES.
I'm no longer battle-worthy.
Coffee and Kahlua sounds good for the customers, too. Too bad I live in a driving city.
Jean, you should talk to Ginab. She may have some Austin shopping tips for you.
Ginab, if you still have those pins, believe me, you are worthy.
Those of you who head out shopping, I wish you well. Be alert to others who aren't alert, and be kind to the workers in the shops. They're hopped up on Kahlua and caffeine and you never know what's going to happen.
Drunk & in line at Wal-Mart … the pioneers died so we could have that. Woo-hoo! (Boo-hoo?)
ginab: Maybe it was "Rap with the Big Elves"?
We're all forgetting the plight of mothers with children whose heart's desire is the must-have gift. In those days, I was forced to join the shopping frenzy for the Lego or Star Wars toy that would inevitably sell out by mid-November. Confession: I got my grandchild his gift yesterday - there were only a few left.
That's not what the pioneers died for, J. They died so we could shop in the store of our choice.
Bellis, has it gotten so that mothers have to shop for that "must-have" toy even before Thanksgiving? What is the world coming to? Christmas decorations in August?
Oh wait. We've already come to that.
John made me laugh.
Hiker and PA inspire me.
As for my holiday shopping, if I can't ship it from Amazon, you ain't getting it for Christmas!
This image... very Inception-esque. Cool.
I did find some cool stuff on Mission the other day, though. And it was mellow and lovely with ice cream and coffee involved. So I guess I've amended my shopping to include local -- or Amazon. Never done the black Friday thing. It makes me think of Bloody Sunday and I can't get that image out of my head.
WV: twoobble. The twoobble with shopping is... oh, never mind.
I made all my gifts last year and will attempt to do so again this year. If it doesn't work, I'll shop locally. If I can't circulate the funds in the family at least I can do so in town!
Funny post, Petrea. The screaming "ohm" made me laugh, and the comments are so entertaining. Such a funny crowd! Hope you're all enjoying your Thanksgiving.
It's indeed a great crowd over here, Susan. I'm glad you're a part of it.
Thanks, Petrea. Me too.
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