the most wonderful time of the year??

yesterday is known as black friday around the good old usa. i find it so odd that so many people get up at the crack of dawn to shop for bargains. i find it even more bizarre that people would camp out for 2 days in front of best buy??? hubby commented they are waiting to buy themselves something - most likely - not for someone else.

there are several things that make me quite sad about black friday...

1. the whole camping out for 2 days. if i calculate that right, that means they spent thanksgiving sitting in front of a store being greedy. harsh, i know, but in reality isn't that what it is. i mean if you are that desperate to get the bargain of the year that you would not spend time with family and friends on a special day to give thanks for what you do have, then yes, you are being greedy.

2. on the news last night there were clips of fighting and shoving and other things that did not demonstrate holiday cheer!!! what is the fun in shopping if you are afraid of getting trampled just to get that extra $10 off a sweater??? i mean, come on folks!!! this is getting insane.

3. i wonder....are the majority of the people out going crazy even thinking about the millions of people who won't have much this year? it seems to me that instead of the season of giving being about truly giving it has become a marketing craze!! it feeds the greed of the shopper. the better the deals the more i'm willing to buy.

now, before i get a lot of complaints, i will say this...there is something kind of fun about heading out on friday to start the season!! we always got our tree (we are waiting a week this year) and did a little shopping. there is a thrill about beginning the season - if it is kept in perspective.

i miss the days of good cheer and merry christmas. now it is all about the best deals for the big item of the year. and i wonder...how much are they really saving in the end??????

our family strives to keep Christmas simple. a reflection of the birth of Jesus....a time for family and friends to gather...a time to give to others....a time for PEACE.

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