Thursday, November 24, 2011

Black Friday

Thanks everyone for sending me comments and posts for Thanksgiving Blog Party. 

If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.
Edith Wharton

Outside of the United States, I don't think anyone celebrates Black Friday spending frenzy.  Years ago when most of our children were teenagers, we lived on a very limited budget.  So to stretch the Christmas money just a little bit farther, I would shop the sales on Black Friday.  The history of Black Friday I think has been lost to many.  Years ago, many businesses ran most of the year at a loss.  The day after Thanksgiving and the Macy Parade that ended with Santa Claus coming to New York officially kicked off the time to buy Christmas presents.  Often by the end of the day the stores that were working at a loss, or in the red,  were now making a profit, or in the black.  Accountants used red ink for losses and black ink for profits.  The advent of computers has changed this since most companies do not have color printers.  But the sales and the commercialism to buy on Black Friday remain, since this will be an indicator used by the stock market to value a business for the next year.  My daughters and daughter-in-laws have learned that they can stretch their budgets the same way I did.  To make it fun, we end the adventure with hot chocolate at Mimi's Cafe.  (If you live close to a Mimi's, I highly recommend their hot chocolate.) 

However, there is another part of Black Friday.  Holidays with lots of family and high expectations for a "perfect day" can end up being a huge let down.  The realization that the same garbage happens year after year, the same people act like jerks, and accidents and tempers rise from the stress of unreasonable expectations for a single day.  Depression the day after Thanksgiving can come crashing down the day after to create its own twisted version of BLACK FRIDAY.  The last 2 years my goal is to feel good about the day no matter what it brings.  Drop unreasonable expectations.  Go with the flow.  This year we had a picnic dinner outside.  It was attempting to rain.  Fortunately, it waited a few hours.  We enjoyed a lovely picnic on this cloud covered day.  The day wasn't perfect.  I got lost looking for a friend's house.  I lost my phone for a short time.  (I was thankful it was a short time.)  I was delighted by the people that took time to send a comment to my blog party.  I avoided or side step most of the major triggers that happen every year at Thanksgiving.  For setting a goal to have a peaceful day, I think I succeeded.  It didn't need to be a perfect day to be enjoyable.  Do I believe I am in the clear?  Nope.  Learned a few things from today to improve my coping abilities for next year.  Depression likes to lurk and pounce when I let my guard down.  Some day, I hope to not feel like I have to be hyper vigilant to keep it at bay.

6 comments:

Laurel Hawkes said...

Go you!! Have fun shopping!

Ruth said...

Thanks Laurel. :)

mulderfan said...

Today, for the 1st time, Canadian retailers decided to try and slow cross-border shopping to the US by having Black Friday sales.

Our local Walmart opened early and I got there at 7:06. Line-ups were all organized inside the store and vouchers were being handed out so there was no rush to pick up your item.

True to our Canadian reputation we were all polite and had a good time. I had the item I was after paid for by 7:25!

Listening to the radio on the way home, I heard about pepper spray, gun shots and fights at US stores. Great way to kick off the Xmas season!

Anonymous said...

I was glad to hear the rain held off for your party Ruth

As you know here in Great Britain we do not have a Thanksgiving celebration, our big day is Christmas Day. This is followed by Boxing Day which has lost its original meaning and is now a day were all the shops are open for the sales. (In the 18th century Boxing Day was the day Lords and Ladies of the manor would box up leftover food and gifts then give them to the poor.) It is also the day a large proportion of shoppers are returning unwanted Christmas gifts. In other words complete chaos.
I agree with you about the stress from the build up, and the expectation of, a perfect day can lead to depression. I am sure it is the anti-climax of the day following a big celebration that leaves me feeling “flat as a pancake”.
This year me and my hubby plan to go to the seaside on the day after Christmas for some sea air and a complete change from the festivities. I am determined to conquer it one way or another.

Molly

Ruth said...

mulderfan, all three of those could happen without the sales. Bless my sweet children they went online and bought most of what they needed. The fabrics were lovely and we chatted with a sweet young woman while we waited for our turn to have our fabric cut. The hot chocolate finished off the morning nicely.

Ruth said...

Good for you Molly, sometimes a complete change in traditions can make a difference. The original meaning of Boxing day is a lovely idea. Sea side retreat sounds like a great way to de-stress. :)