Slow Christmas Meet Black Friday

Black Friday is perhaps the ultimate example of where the Holiday rush leads us away from relaxing with loved ones and into long lines at the mall. After an epic meal the day before, we get up at 4am to wait in long lines for door prizes and sales. We buy things we don’t really need or even want, just for the thrill of the chase. After Christmas, the planet groans with all that stuff. And $13 billion of it, or 1 of every 5 presents we give, goes to waste. Then we do it all over again next year.

For some of us, it’s the thrill of feeling like we saved money. For others, it’s a great excuse to get out of the house when our family is driving us nuts. For still others, it’s a fun tradition and a chance to bond with the family or friends who come with us.

There’s nothing wrong with any of these things. But if saving money, getting out of the house, or sharing an experience with a friend are what we seek on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is hardly our only chance.

We can save money by giving better this year: we can make something tasty for coworkers and friends. We can stop worrying about filling stockings at the last minute with small, cheap presents and maybe fill them with a donation to their favorite cause or a check instead. We can focus on 1 or 2 good presents for our kids (a karate class? skating lessons?) and stop worrying about trying to fill the space under the tree.

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Read more: Christmas, Family, Holidays, Life, Thanksgiving

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Danuta W.

12:15AM PDT on May 26, 2012

Thanks for the information!

send a green star

Carole H.

9:04AM PST on Feb 20, 2012

Noted!

Joe R.

9:03AM PST on Nov 27, 2011

I never participate in this insanity.

Robert O.

3:28PM PST on Nov 26, 2011

Thanks.

May H.

1:00PM PDT on Jul 23, 2011

KS G.

12:52AM PST on Nov 28, 2010

Thanks for the article.

Karin M.

6:38PM PST on Nov 26, 2010

thanks.

moggy w.

4:09PM PST on Nov 26, 2010

I have never shopped on black friday- or saturday or sunday either. These people must be masochists. There are so many charities to donate to, like /aspca or Heifer International; which I believe make people feel better than yet another useless bit of [expensive] junk.

Amy H.

6:30AM PST on Nov 26, 2010

Just say NO.

Deborah G.

7:30PM PST on Nov 25, 2010

If you absolutely must shop on Black Friday, try going to a local charity-based thrift shop and find some designer clothes for your kids or grandkids.