Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, the day after occurs between the 23rd and the 29th of November. The next day is always a Friday. It's this day that people recognize as the official beginning of the Christmas holiday… shopping that is.
"Black Friday" is called black, because it's a day that stores sell sell sell and make lots of money turning all these sales into profits for the store. Retailers are "in the black." Hence, Black Friday.
I saw in the newspaper that this year, 2010, sales are up over 16 percent from last year. Wow! Isn't the economy dim, blurry, fraught with lack of money? It is a tough economy. Anyone who isn't watching their wallet may not be awake to how suddenly change can choke your family pocketbook. Who are these crazy people who are out shopping, buying and spending money?
Confession time for me. I am. [Yup!] My honey and I trod the day, morning till dark. We did stand in the checkout line several times. But it wasn't to spend.
It was to save. Evidence of what appears to be an onslaught of buying on Black Friday is not a reflection of deep pockets or even frivolous spending. Quite the contrary. We were up early and out shopping to take advantage of Doorbuster Deals, deep discounts that have short expiration times [scandalously low price that's only good for two hours] and special offers that save us money. Black Friday is real. No come-ons. No bait and switch. I am talking honest-to-goodness savings. Yeah!
Let me stop right here and report. All said and done, we calculated that we saved upwards of several hundred big ones, maybe more. Now, that's what I call, worth getting up early for. Wouldn't you?
This was no experiment. We tried it last year, saved a bundle, and vowed to get out amongst the saver-conscious again this year.
Shopping. Buying gifts. Saving. Hooray! But, blog, the other thing I enjoy is seeing the beautiful Christmas decorations. It's feels so good to see the sparkle, shiny thingies and holiday color. I love the music and carroling. People are more friendly than usual, I think. Mall food is fun. It's like huddling with the masses when you are one of the masses.
Truth be told. It was fun, exciting and exhausting. I am so glad we did it. It's a memory and a good one at that. I highly recommend shopping early on Black Friday.
I think back. Okay, it was only two days ago… but as I think back, the best part of Black Friday was sharing the whole experience with my honey. Whenever I make a memory, I think it's special when I can share the time with someone I love. That says Christmas, but actually sharing and making memories works any day, every day. And with any special person in your life.
That's it, blog. Have a happy day!
