Black Friday

“Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall.  We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space.”  – Dave Barry

For the second year in a row I became one of those crazy people who arrive at Wal-Mart at 4:30am the day after Thanksgiving.  It was freezing, and crowded, and I mean REALLY crowded.  It was a huge pain in the ass but I did get some pretty good deals.  And, in our current economic status (with me being unemployed since June),  the good deals were worth it. 

Like every parent, I want to give my kids things that they want.  They still aren’t getting laptops or cell phones but Santa may still bring some pretty nice gifts and getting more of them for less money is definitely a good thing.

But really, does any of this nonsense have anything at all to do with Christmas?  Of course not.  Christmas is not about who gets the most or most expensive gifts.  Christians believe it’s the celebration of the birth of Christ.  I haven’t quite figured out where I am or exactly what I believe in as far as spirituality or religion are concerned.  For me, Christmas is about family and friends, and yes giving.  Giving love, hugs, a nice warm gathering for those closest to us.  Of course I love the excited shrieks from the kids when they open a particularly coveted present too.

But where is the line between wanting to give our kids’s “things” that they want just because of their gleeful reactions and completlely selling out to the whole commercialism that was originally a holy day?  Maybe the nomenclature, “Black Friday” really is fitting.  It begins the season in which we buy into all the crap about having all the stuff that advertisers want us to believe will make our lives better.

I don’t know if anyone has the answer to this dilemma.  I certainly don’t.  And I’m too tired from my ridiculously early shopping trip to really think about it now.  I’m going back to bed.

Thanks for stopping by!