7 Things to Do Instead of Shopping on Black Friday

Traveling this weekend?

Thanksgiving Weekend is probably one of the most nightmarish times to have to travel.  You really don't have a lot of time to get where you have to go and throngs of people are all seemingly trying to get to the same place that you are (at the same time).

Then, once you get there, you may or may not find yourself with some significant downtime.  Plus, the last thing that I want to do on Black Friday is brave more crowds to buy more crap.  So, here are 7 things to do instead of shopping on Black Friday...

#7 - Play Basketball

• Your dad is desperate to get a game in with all the brothers and brothers-in-law.  When you show up try not be intimidated by the fact that, at 6'3" tall, you are the shortest person on the court.  Make sure to get your sister's 6'8", 270 pound, ex-college basketball player boyfriend on your team--it's really going to improve your chances of winning.  When you score on a nice move to the hole, be sure to throw that same sister a bone and point to her since she's the only one cheering and you want to stay on her good side!  Be glad that, even though you are nearly the oldest person on the court, you can still run up and down the court (and make a shot or three)!

#6 - Read

• Pull out that novel you bought at Costco six months ago.  Notice for the first time that this book wasn't written by "Dan" Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code)--it was written by "Dale" Brown.  Realize that though you really don't get the premise of the novel, you need to do something to keep your mind occupied.  Plow through its 400+ crappy pages in a single day and pray you can find a recycling bin somewhere once you're done since you're fairly certain that no one you know is going to want to read that book.  Regret that you didn't get someone you know to give you a recommendation for a decent book for this trip.  Accept that you are likely going to end up breaking your Black Friday resolution (see below...)

#5 - Wander Around Walmart

• You came here to get a prescription filled, but first the pharmacist is "out to lunch" and then--once they get back--they have trouble tracking down the correct DEA control number for your doctor.  Too bad your doctor is on a plane and won't be around for 3 hours or so.  Pass the time by wandering the aisles and making fun of everyone shopping Walmart for "door-buster" deals.  Feel very proud of your resolution to NOT spend any money on Black Friday, until you look down and see yourself holding a book in your hand that you suddenly NEED to buy (because the one you finished earlier was that bad!).  Rationalize your purchase by telling yourself that at least it's not a gift for someone else!  Because, under the fine print of your resolution, it's okay to shop for yourself, just not for anyone else...yeah, somehow that doesn't sound right.  :-/

Blown Away...apparently there's not enough wind in Oklahoma.

#4 - Listen to the Radio

• You don't know a single station, but the radio is randomly set to a country station.  Marvel at why you've never heard some of these songs back home.  They're really pretty good.  Remind yourself to look into getting XM radio when you get back home.

#3 - Sleep

• You are on vacation, so this is probably a good time to catch up on your ZZZZs.  It makes no sense to try and rush out in the middle of the night as well to get trampled by your fellow looters deal seekers. 
• But, I digress...back to the sleeping arrangements.  Too bad your sister just moved into her beautiful new house, so no extra guest beds.  Be glad you had the foresight to bring a camping pad, a pillow, and plenty of blankets.  At least there's lots of space on the floor in the guest bedroom to spread out!

#2 - Be of Service

• When you walk in the door and your sister asks where you've been because she needed you to pick something up from her house, offer to run and pick it up anyway.  You don't have anything else really going on anyway.  Pray that you can find the right Tupperware container of caramel in her fridge.  You're not really sure what it is or what she's using it for, but based on her performance in cooking dishes for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, you know she's on a roll.  You do not want to derail that train.
• UPDATE:  Turns out that caramel was for some pumpkin cheesecake that your sister made while trying out a new recipe.  It tastes as good as it looks!  Thanks Ray Ray!  :-)

#1 - Be Grateful

• It is Thanksgiving Weekend after all and you didn't have to go out shopping all day with your mom, your wife, and/or your sister on Black Friday.  They will be fighting the crowds all day and when they roll in and show you what they bought, you still won't be sure what it is or why they (or you) need it.  

Black Friday Edition

Shopping Pandemonium

Black Friday was yesterday.  It has traditionally marked the start of the Christmas shopping season.  I have heard that it got it's name because it is the day when retail stores go "in the black" for the year and become profitable.

Every year there are stories of people going crazy trying to get in on the great deals.  This year was no exception:

Today's Headlines Re Black Friday

Yes, I'm ashamed to say that the pepper-spraying incident happened in Southern California.  I heard she at least had enough remorse to turn herself in today.  No word on whether she kept the discounted X-Box that she was so desperate to get at midnight!

I like to avoid the crowds at Black Friday.  And if you are going to catch me doing any shopping at midnight, it will be from the internet as I enjoy the comfort of my own home.

My mom and sisters, however, are another story.  They were plotting out their midnight shopping routes on Thanksgiving Night.  I haven't yet heard whether they have recovered yet or if it was even worth it.  I'm sure they'd claim that it was worth missing sleep, but I still have my doubts!

My big online purchases yesterday were a new 23 inch monitor for our home computer from TigerDirect.com and a DVD.  That hit my shopping limit for the day.

Today, J. had me brave the crowds to hit Costco in search of some items that are on the kids' wish list for Santa.  She stayed safely at home and I got to take E. for some quality daddy-daughter time.  I think the real reason E. was excited to go was that I promised her a Costco hot dog and a slushee.  But I was still glad that she came with me.

This might or might not be on Santa's list this year...
...depends on whether Costco gets it back in stock!

Frankly, it was a lot busier when I was at Costco on Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving).  It got so frenzied that someone actually took out my legs from behind with their shopping cart.  I narrowly avoided biffing it in front of the entire store.  

Yes, this story is true...

If I had, I'm sure that people would have at least been kind enough to step over me or around me as they continued on their merry way!  Maybe if I'd been really lucky, someone might have even stopped!  ;)

What struck me from yesterday and today in my limited anecdotal experience, however, was how few people seemed to be out shopping.  Our brand new Target's parking lot looked pretty empty last night.  I had to go to two Costco's today looking for the things on Santa's list (the first store was sold out) and both were pretty empty.  The I stopped at Walmart today.  Not too busy.

I really hope my experience is wrong.  Our economy could really use a boost from a strong holiday shopping season. 

If you're shopping for others this holiday season, don't forget to
follow Uncle Eddie's advice to Clark Griswold and get yourself "[s]omething really nice!"

I'd love to hear some of your crazy holiday shopping stories...