Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday: A Crowded Kind of Day

I don't know about y'all, but you would would sooner find me sitting in the dentists chair for eleven root canals than find me in a mall today. 


I like to shop, but in all things there are limits. I guess my problem is crowds. Well, actually, it depends on the crowd.  I like the crowd of a race, all lined up at the starting line. I like the crowd at a theater. I like crowds in the right time and place. I guess you could say I like friendly, peaceful crowds.

Shoppers on Black Friday may start out peaceful, in those wee hours of the morning when they are waiting in line in the dark and the cold. Bleary eyed and clutching a cup of hot coffee they are sweetness and light. But once the store doors unlock and the lights come on, it's every shopper for himself.  Grasping and pushing for that last Talking Elmo or Wii.

It's just not worth it for me. 

I have some dear friends who brave the Black Friday sales, and I will admit, they have gotten some good deals. But for me, it's like eating sunflower seeds: too much work for such a little nut.

What about you? Do you shop or stay home?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was talked into Black Friday once and that was enough to scare me off for the rest of my life.

Rae said...

Hi Kellie! Hope your Thanksgiving day was nice! I thought of you at different times throughout the day! I have been one of those early morning shoppers in the past but not this year. There was nothing in the flyers to tempt me out of bed!!! It's 11:30 and I'm still in my pj's, taking a break from decorating and catching up on Top Chef!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I used to do the Black Friday thing...but no more...the older I get the more I hate crowds, traffic, and shopping in general.

meh said...

I do not do Black Friday. But my funny eldest son "needed" some new sweat pants so I ventured out with him today at noon. (Does that even count when you leave the house at noon?) By the way, he didn't find the ones he wanted after two stores, which was my limit for the day. So picky...whatever happened to the kid who couldn't have cared less what he was wearing?!

Anonymous said...

Oh, girl. I stay at home. That's too much humanity in one place, if you know what I mean. The "human" side of people comes out - and it is ugly and makes me mad. I prefer to stay at home.

I like your analogy - too much work for such a small nut.

Hope you had a wonderful Turkey Day!

C D said...

ditto Mer -- I've only done it once and it was awful... the older I get the more I despise crowds, traffice and shopping -- give me the internet man!

xx

Allison said...

I used to work retail and dreaded Black Friday and the day AFTER Christmas! So, needless to say, I DO NOT do any shopping the day after either holiday. Instead, we either go to a movie or lounge around. Today, we actually took the kids to see the King Tut Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. Pretty cool.

Tiffani said...

Hello, my name is Tiffani and I'm a Black Friday addict....

Yep, up at 3am and heading out...it is frantic but my best friend and I set our minds to what we want...we stay up til almost time to go (we slept two hours last night) and make DETAILED lists and order our store route...that helps things go SUPER smoothly and we get in and out...

We've never been hurt or seen anyone hurt...notice I didn't say "grabbing, crazy, frenetics" but the deals are too good for me to not go...I have to really make our Christmas budget go as far it can it stretch its little legs...so I brave it...I know better than to go toward anything electronic at first and honestly after doing this for years have learned some really great "tricks" to find some of the items that are quickly snatched up...and end up with some great electronics, anyway...today's bonus was a $39 digital photo frame for my mom...8" widescreen, normally $99...

Today, we got back home around 2pm but I am finished with my kids COMPLETELY and even got a few others out of the way...OH, and Kellie, you'll totally appreciate this gift to myself...a coffee pot with a TIMER...I know it's down right sinful to not own one in the first place, but I didn't...so, got one for $15 today for braving the crowds... ;)

Okay, I gotta go I am about delirious and obviously chatty!!! So, my vote is if you are thorough in planning and time it just right--you can brave the day..

alright, one last deal I'll mention..a Barbie Jeep Power Wheels for JuJu for $88 regularly $199...seriously, I'm leaving here...sorry! ;) :)

Anonymous said...

I did it one time, 8 years ago - decided it just wasn't worth the deal from that point on. ;) We drove out of town today and I laughed when my boys gawked at all the cars in the mall parking lot.

My 11 year old said, "mom, can we stop at Panda Express at the mall?" I said, "Ummm, not on Black Friday."

Michele said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Black Friday. My mom and I always go together. We have a blast. The funny thing is I was at my house and she was at hers, and we were both up at 2 AM, so excited to go. Our alarms were not set until 3. I love the deals, I love the crowds, but mostly I enjoy the special time my mom and I have together.

Woman Interrupted said...

Count me out! Yuck! I doubt the savings are that great. Well, maybe this year because the retailers are hurting...but my time is valuable, too. Especially at 5 am when I'm getting my beauty rest.

Lindsay said...

I do not shop on Black Friday.. with the exception of online. But not the wait up for it. I just take a peek when I have some free time etc.

Michelle@Life with Three said...

The only shopping I do on Black Friday is at home, on the computer, in my pajamas, with a cup of coffee in hand. You couldn't pay me money to go out there with all that chaos the day after Thanksgiving. Not gonna do it. :)

Tanya said...

I'm a cyber shopper. With my hubby's work hours I rarely get to shop without the kids in tow and fighting crowds with a 4yo and a 3yo is not my idea of a good deal. Besides, if you get up early enough, you can get most of same deals online!

However --- I do go out the day after Christmas, but only to two stores: The Container Store and Crate and Barrel. The Container Store is kinda crazy with everyone trying to stock up on wrapping paper for the next year. It's kind of fun and nowhere near what Black Friday can be.