As we move into Thanksgiving week, once the turkey has been carved, the football games have been watched, and the pumpkin pie has been served, many Americans then turn their sights towards their next holiday tradition.

Black Friday.

These shopping sentinels arise in the middle of the night, put on their favorite PJs or sweats, grab their lattes and their shopping lists, and head into the breach to join hordes of other would-be bargain hunters on their quest for the best holiday shopping deals.  You’ll see the videos next weekend of people pushing, shoving, and – in some cases – wrestling with other shoppers in a retail mosh-pit over PS5s, I-Phone 13s, and other gift items that are in high demand.

Retailers try to entice these warriors with special deals, discounts, and free giveaways, as it marks the turning point for many stores from annual losses into profitability (hence the name), but I have to ask – is this whole ordeal really necessary anymore?

With the explosive rise of online shopping, one can easily find the same bargains and discounts from the comfort of their own home.  With a few clicks, everything that is available while fighting those early morning huddled masses can be obtained in serenity and silence (and with free shipping to boot).  Many retailers don’t even participate in this annual insanity anymore (thank goodness), giving their employees a holiday break and spreading out the “deals” over several weeks.

So why do some people still participate in this consumer’s nightmare?  Well, some folks are into painful and uncomfortable life experiences, like getting their teeth cleaned or watching NASCAR races.  Some families have made it one of their holiday traditions.  Some like to get all of their holiday shopping done in one fell swoop. 

Hey, if it tickles your fancy, I say go for it.  You do you.  Just don’t look for me to join in on these annual hijinks.  My holiday shopping has been mostly completed from the peace and quiet of my home office, where my biggest worry is if all of my packages will be arrive on time so I can get them wrapped.

In my family, Black Friday marks a different sort of event, as it is generally the day I have to trudge up into the attic and pull down all of the Christmas decorations so we can begin to festoon the house in holiday splendor.

Still, I hope that however you spend it, your Thanksgiving holiday (and Black Friday) is a safe and happy one!

FYI – I’ll be taking next week off, partly because of turkey-induced tryptophan overload and mostly because my weekend will be taken up by said holiday, un-Grinchy, hoo-hah (see above).  I’ll be back with more musings on December 6^th.