When We Were Young And Innocent Shoppers (Black Friday 2006)
Other families have Thanksgiving traditions.
They gather together to eat turkey, watch a sports game and reminisce.
But my family has its own tradition.
Every Black Friday, since I was a young girl, my mom and I would shop.
Then one year Skye joined in.
And our shopping cadre was complete.
Rising before dawn, stopping for a fast food breakfast along the way, we go to stores searching for Christmas presents and cheap sweaters.
Unlike most Black Friday shoppers, we’ve never searched out one big item – something worth the lack of sleep and line standing required.
Rather than being in it for the sales, we’re in it for the experience.
We’re just a little bit crazy
But it’s a tradition
And I’m a sucker for tradition,
Megan
Traditions, Of The Crazier Variety
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
And a sucker for a good deal. You’re a brave crazy woman. Please don’t get trampled
I survived!
I know, it’s quite a relief.
Well then we have something in common. You don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and I don’t celebrate Black Friday. Yet we have a harmonious, imaginary friendship.
Is this a great country or what?
We should write a country song.
It’ll be beautiful.
Enjoy shopping! I am always impressed with people that can do shopping marathons..it is hard work and even worse around this time.
I’m always surprised at how exhausting it is! Though we’re not full-dayers, we cave about lunch time!
How do you feel about traditional suckers?
I’m assuming you’re referencing turkey lollipops. And I love them, thank you for asking.
That probably makes you less stressed out than everyone else today. Good for you. Black Friday causes people to die slow, awful, stress-related deaths because they *have* to get that one huge deal. I think Black Friday is a general rip-off in that regard.
Why?? WHY?!?! I just can’t stand the crowds. Plus, I never know what to get as gifts. Shopping is not my forte.
But have fun and don’t get trampled!!
I was so proud of myself – this year I actually managed to get stuff for other people and not just myself!
I know, I’m so impressive.
I have too much performance anxiety to shop on Black Friday. I tried it one year and it was a bust because I always felt that I’d missed the best deal elsewhere.
Instead, I like to go day after Christmas shopping. I get the entire season to browse for the paper and cards and ribbons and serving platters I want and get them at a nice discount.
Ah – our secret is not wanting big deals. ‘Cause they weren’t gonna sell out of paper at Michaels or any of the other tiny stuff we bought!
That is the best reason I have ever heard for participating in Black Friday. To enjoy the culture…
It’s like a whole new world! Only with less mermaids or princes and more long lines and exhaustion.
I love this tradition. We braved Fashion Valley in San Diego, which is no small task. Loved it!
I’ve never heard of Fashion Valley, but I fear I’m not nearly cool enough to visit.
What a delight to read, your blog is really lovely. I am also part of a crazy family with unique traditions .. I would redden in the face as a child but now I suspect I’ve taken over with much more crazed fervour haha. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Regards
Valerie
My family is actually quite normal, so I’m the only one causing embarrassment. But at least I have a trait, right?
We usually don’t have a big item in mind either…Target was crazy yesterday!
Yes! But ours did a great job with the cashiers, so there wasn’t a long wait!
I would like to do it just once to see how nutty people can be. Is that bad?
I’ve been sadly disappointed in nuttiness – I’ve never witnessed a fight or a stampede or even a shouting match! And I’m always on the look-out!
You ARE crazy! Man, there is no way I could do it…people annoy me way too much
That’s why you don’t interact with the people – just scooch around them!
You’re all braver women than I… me and crowds and early time and all doesn’t tend to go well, so I hide and miss out on the sales and such.
It was strange, there were almost no crowds anywhere I went this year. Clearly they heard I was coming and knew to stay away!
Oh, meant to say, love the new header, too!
I missed it! I missed Black Friday! This is what happens when you are living ignorantly in another country with no newspapers or television. We did get many notices of Cyber deals via internet.
Your new blog design looks clean and inviting. I LOVE the profile pic, you are radiant.
You silly Canadians.
And I’m glad you like the pic – I actually have lipstick on my teeth so tried to edit it only I really suck at that, so I think it still looks really weird!
I gather that’s why most people do it. My cuz and I used to brave the malls. Now, with the little one, I simply can’t, but I totally see the fun it in (except the people who camp out overnight!). Hope you had a good time again this year!
It was great! Though I could never camp out – shopping is only fun if done with requisite amount of sleep.
(I’m quite the sleeper. It’s one of the many facets of my laziness.)
Black Friday shopping is so much fun. I did it too!
Yay! Crazed shoppers unite!
I’m right there with you – along with 14 of my family members! We have Black Friday shopped every year of my life that I can remember. Now our shopping group includes my sister & her family, my brother & his family, my parents, grandparents, & an aunt & uncle. The only one who sits it out is my husband. It was one condition that he made before we got married
It’s a sick kind of fun, but fun nevertheless!
Whoa – you make a mob all by yourselves! That’s awesome. The rest of our family just mocks us!