I don't get it...... I mean, I tried it, once. I knew a chain had a couple of things I had considered getting on sale, but I went store to store too late to get it. It was a disappointment.
That year I did come across a slew of cheap movies for Chris, but it was an impulse buy. I should have held onto the $20-30 I spent on 10 movies and gotten him a movie he REALLY wanted instead of movies he was okay with having. I don't think we've watched any of them since the first couple of months after that Christmas.
Perhaps I'm jaded. I worked at a retail chain for a while and noticed the half truths they tell. "Lowest price ever" ummm.... that's the same price it's been all year! I worked a black Friday. The items in the ad were so limited if you hadn't been among those camping out there was no hope of getting it. Look: A TV for $200!! Ummm.... it's the discontinued model! It's quality is no where near the one that's on sale for a hundred more starting the next day.
I hear people all the time, "What am I going to get for _____. Oh, that's on sale/cheap, that'll work." I don't understand starting with a list of people and trying to find 'whatever' for them. "But they're going to give me something. I need something for them."
What happened to giving someone a gift because the item made you smile and think of them or it was something they genuinely wanted? It wasn't an obligation. It wasn't an inconvenience. Gifts are supposed to be bought out of the kindness of your heart with the needs or desires of the intended receiver in mind.
In my honest opinion if finding a gift for a particular person turns into a burden maybe you shouldn't be getting them anything. I'm not saying spending time thinking about what to get a particular person is bad, but when it turns into something stressful why do it? If the gift isn't bought with thought and happiness what kind of gift is it really? Why not suggest to others this year, take the burden out of the holidays, no gifts, just quality time spent with people you care about.
One last thing I want to add to this post. Before running out to the stores this year and spending hundreds of dollars on stuff please take a few minutes to donate $5 or $10 to those less fortunate. If you don't want to part with your money then donate your time. Two years I got to help build bikes for the salvation army. It was a great experience. I was only out gas money to get to the warehouse and they provided a really good lunch :)
Regional Food Bank - Any donations through mid January will be matched by Chesapeake.
Global Giving - My favorite donation site. You can pick a cause that speaks to you. You know exactly where your money is going.
Salvation Army - There are a lot more chances to volunteer than what is listed on their website. Call the coordinator and see if there is something that you can do that will fit into your holiday schedule.
If you are saying in your head, " I can't do that." I call bullshit. If you can afford to buy more than food you can spare $5. Watch what karma does. It's worth it when you stop being selfish and start thinking of others. Offended? Then you are exactly who I am speaking to.
Heck yes!!!! The fact that people are crushed and run over by other shoppers, that fights break out...is saving a few bucks really worth someone's life? I completely agree with what you are saying- gift giving shouldn't be a source of stress or guilt. It should be out of love and kindness and it shouldn't make you go broke. We're spending the infamous Black Friday sleeping in, and then hiking into the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree, then taking it home and decorating that sucker up.
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