I was never one that would sit in lines throughout the night to wait for the stores to open to get the best deals, the best doorbusters. That just wasnt’ my thing, but I always felt a need to go out to at least one store during Black Friday. The store I’d usually end up at would be Target.
Yesterday I did go though, but the more and more I browsed, the sadder I got. I started thinking about those that don’t have money during Christmas time, and hard it is to even get food on the table, let alone, time for them to think about gifts for others.
I thought about how much I took advantage of when I was younger, as opposed to saving my money. I thought about what are my values now, what are truly the important things to be in life. I thought a lot.
Being in a situation where you’re just scrapping by just gives you an entirely different perspective on things. It gives you a different perspective on so many things, as opposed to before when I was making decent money, and I just didn’t appreciate it.
This is exactly why I wanted to take myself out of that situation. 1) To see what else was out there in the world and 2) to appreciate more life, and what it is I actually have.
I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I gave myself this time for I have a better understanding and awareness of what’s going on around me. I have a better understanding and appreciation for family, and I have a better understanding and appreciation for life.
I just wonder when people go out for Black Friday, are they truly shopping for others, or are the best deals going towards themselves? And that just makes me sad.
It’s time to start thinking of one another again. It’s time to put that thought into a gift, and find that gift that another could really use, or get a gift they know they could use, but they would never buy it for themselves. It’s time to be thoughtful.
This is the exact reason I’ve always hated gift cards. YES, they’re nice, and they take off the pressue of picking out a gift they might not like. But if you just took 5 minutes to ask them what they like, or ask the to write a list for you, you’d be surprised the ideas that would come from it.
I guess I am the anti-gift card lady. That doesn’t mean I haven’t given them awway. I just try to avoid giving them. It’s the easy way. And I understand if you’re incredibly busy and don’t have the time to thorough browsing or shopping or even raiding the online sales, that the gift cards are an easy thing, or if you haven’t seen your family in years and just have no idea what they would like, then yes, the gift cards are the way to go.
But, I try to put thought in the gifts I give. I try to put thought into. I haven’t made too many homemade gifts in my lfie. One year, I did try to give out those “cookies in a jar” gifts, and realize how messy of a venture that was for me, but I had fun making them! But appreciate those homemade gift gestures. People put thought into them, and also put the time into making them. They are appreciated.
So, I hope, no matter what the money outlook is for you, that the next 4 weeks bring you happiness, laughter, and love. Don’t stress out about, remember to just enjoy the surroundings =)
My thoughts on shopping the next few weeks I guess! LOL
