Holiday sales get earlier and earlier every year . . .

[Bucky]

Well, tomorrow is the holiday kick off for a local store.  Toyland opens at  7:00 a.m. at Farm and Fleet.  

I'm glad we are past the toy stage for my son.  Well, as a teenager, his "toys" are lots more expensive than when he was a toddler.  I was tempted to buy him a brand new car today for his birthday in December.  He's going to be starting drivers training in the Spring.  I was even going to pay cash for it!  Wow . . . you say?   Hey, a $1 Matchbox car is such a deal!    hehehe

As I have mentioned in previous posts in years gone by - I'm not into all the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping.  You won't find me out there on Black Friday fighting the mobs and rude people.  Nope . . not me . . not going there!

Also, as I have mentioned before - don't get sucked into all the holiday hype of commercials on TV and sales ads in the newspapers.  With them toting you've GOT to buy such and such . . . blah, blah, blah.  I wouldn't be surprised that this year the stores really try to outdo each other and have the "best" sale of the year trying to entice people back into the brick and mortar stores to spend money.  

We'll pass on going to the Grand Opening of Toyland tomorrow.  We're going to go watch a "punkin chuckin' contest" tomorrow.  

Bucky

[Bucky]

This afternoon on the way back from the "Punkin Chuckin'" contest we drove past Farm and Fleet.  Even at 2:30 p.m. the parking lot was packed!!   

Wonder who will be the next store to jump on the bandwagon and get a jumpstart on the holidays?  Probably Toys 'R Us.  We'll see what the Sunday advertisements bring tomorrow (I haven't even read last Sunday's paper!!  ).

Bucky

[Pisces24]

We go Christmas stuff in the store already - but thankfully not the Christmas music yet.

I like Christmas music but (sorry if this sounds Bah Humbug) but after I hit the 5th store and they ALL are playing the same Christimas song, I get somewhat irritated. 

[Carolina]

Ack, those hobby places start sneaking in the Christmas stuff in August, for the crafters.

I have my shopping done, however.  YAY


Well will get some stuff for the French branch in Paris, through Amazon.fr, like Amazon.com, only in France.

but the entire holiday thing gets weirder and weirder to me as I get older.

Go figure?

Kisses

Elaine

[Rayven]

The unending Christmas music gets to me too.  I used to enjoy hearing it because it brought nice memories of being home in my grandparents' house.  Now, every time I hear a carol, it reminds me of really insane rude people.  I'm just glad I don't work in retail anymore.

I understand craft stores putting stuff out super early.  You do need time to make things, but really, that's the only store I'll tolerate getting festive before Thanksgiving.  I have only shopped once on "Black Friday" and it was out of the way in Green Bay, Wisconsin where my husband's family lives.  Not -near- the saturation of idiocy you'd see in a more major metro.  And we weren't Christmas shopping, just restocking on Packers gear.

They started clearance pricing all th Halloween stuff except candies here already so I suppose that's ok. Still. Christmas. Ugh.

[Pisces24]

I don't have to worry about going out to shop on Black Fridays.  I am always working that day.

No close family here, just cousins in other states.  So I never ask for any days off before or after the holidays.
That way the others with families in my department can spend more time with them or travel to see them.
I guess you could call it my holiday present to my work group.

I do get tired of the same songs being played on the radio. Hippotamus for Christmas waaaay lost it's cuteness for me! 

[harrigan]

Just wondring ... what is Black Friday?

[Joe S.]

Friday after the US thanksgiving (which is on a Thursday).

[Bucky]

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving (this year November 26th) where the stores have all their BIG sales to kick off the Christmas holiday shopping.  They try and bring in the customers to take them (the store) from being in the red  to being in the black (going from being in the hole sale wise to making a profit).  The stores open really early - some at 5:00 A.M. and people line up hours (some times a day before) to be one of the first into the store.  They have special hours for "doorbuster" sales where you can get items at low, advertised prices.

Let me tell you from a person who has been to a Black Friday before . . . it is a MADHOUSE!!!            Sadly enough, one year an employee of a store died as he was trampled by the crowd and people stepping on him to get in!!  Some people love to shop on Black Friday.  Not me . . . you won't find me out there!!

Bucky

[Blue Kat]

I've only done the Black Friday shopping thing once a few years ago with a friend and I swore never again.  It wasn't worth the craziness...my sanity is priceless.