Will you be heading out shopping today?
Posted by Lisa Hendey
in Family
on Friday, November 28, 2008 6:00 AM
It’s likely that by the time you read this, some of you may already have had a full morning of shopping!
I have friends who make an annual ritual of rising at 4:00 AM, gathering for coffee, and heading out to the local shopping centers to hit the big sales on the day after Thanksgiving, also known as “Black Friday” in the retail industry.
I want to offer a reminder that as you find yourself shopping for Christmas, please don’t forget the special gifts from Catholic vendors that can make wonderful presents for your family and friends. A subscription to Faith and Family Magazine or the National Catholic Register are always welcome presents and will be the gifts that keep on giving! Circle Press offers all kinds of fantastic books for a variety of ages. If you’re planning to shop online, chances are your favorite Catholic site (like CatholicMom.com or DanielleBean.com) offers online shopping that allows you to help them earn a small commission with your purchases.
I’m not really a shopper, so I’ll likely be taking a pass on today’s sales but would love to hear from those of you who successfully navigate the crowds on Black Friday to cash in on great bargains. What are your tips and tricks?
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Filed under gifts, holidays, shopping
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Comments
1. Posted by Christi
[website] on Friday, Nov 28, 2008 2:08 PM (EST):
Hi there Danielle:
Like you, I try to avoid large crowds and the general Christmas rush - be it highways parking lots or check outs. However, one year we were looking for an expensive gift for the family. As you know - our family business required us to travel a lot and we decided a portable DVD player with two screens would be an ideal family gift with individual gifts of favourite DVDs would help wear the hours away on our many 24 hour jaunts down in to Florida and other times northward to Ohio.
We lived about 20 minutes outside a large city but only about 10 from a very small town that had it’s own Walmart. Hence we headed over to it and were pleasantly surprised by the small numbers gathered within to take advantage of the great price reductions. And - there was the perfect DVD player for our 15 passenger van.
This has been our one and only foray into a store on Black Friday and given our success in a small town - should we ever decide to try it again - we will head to the nearest smallest town that boasts of the store we have in mind.
2. Posted by Dee F on Friday, Nov 28, 2008 10:57 PM (EST):
We didn’t do the shopping thing today but our one daughter did… these are her words: “I did the “Black Friday” shopping thing this morning. Left my house at 4:20 am and between 4:30 and 7:30 am, went to 7 stores… came out of most of
them empty handed. Guess you basically need to not go to sleep to get in this game. I hit Best Buy, Walmart and KMart within minutes after their
opening and was faced with “sold outs” or 2 hour waits to get a computer. Did pick up a few small things along the way… but nothing I purposefully went out for. Was CRAZY!!” If she ever does get that computer, we’ll have to turn her into an on-line shopper!!
3. Posted by Donna on Friday, Nov 28, 2008 11:10 PM (EST):
I have never shopped on a “Black Friday”. I refuse to cave into the baits of retailers. There will be huge discounts right before Christmas and after. Christmas is not about presents, it’s about remembering God’s greatest gift to us.....Jesus.
4. Posted by Jennifer on Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 9:57 AM (EST):
I have never shopped on Black Friday. I read today in the paper that a Walmart employee was trampled to death while opening up the store for the early crowds. I think it’s horrible. To lose your life for a cheap tv. What does this say about our culture? Doesn’t everyone have enough stuff in their homes and apartments? It’s crazy.
5. Posted by Pat on Saturday, Nov 29, 2008 11:58 AM (EST):
I avoid shopping as much as possible especially when there are large crowds. I’ve heard of the great deals; but the few times I attempted, the items were sold out. So I prefer to stay warm and recover from Thanksgiving.
On the news, I see so many people lined up at the stores; and I can’t help but think.."Gee we should be lining up like that to go to Church...to volunteer at some shelter....to visit the sick...the poor.” What has happened to this nation? The majority are more concerned about material things...than serving our fellow man.
I know ...I’m judging. So this year, I’m challenging myself to go out & serve our fellow man. Almost immediately, I have excuses not to do this or that....but I’m being nudged to overcome all those excuses. And to all of you my brothers and sisters who are avid bargain shoppers....here’s a challenge to you. Pick up an extra gift for the poor or for that elderly person. Or at the market, pick up an extra item for the hungry. Writing this piece is challenging me to reflect God’s word in action. Thank you for being my witnesses. God bless you all!
6. Posted by Kate Wicker
[website] on Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008 9:09 PM (EST):
I know this is a late comment. I’ve been cutting back on my online time due to many factors, namely constant germ warfare in our house. However, I refuse to battle the crowds, and this year I was inspired by this post to eat some leftover pumpkin trifle for breakfast on Friday. I made sure it didn’t include a dollop of guilt either. I let my daughters have some, too. It was a lovely, delicious morning.
God bless.
7. Posted by Lisa Hendey on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 12:58 PM (EST):
Kate, it’s never too late to share some comment love! Hope that trifle was good (now I’m hungry!) and that all are feeling well!
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