Black Friday Purchases Good and Bad

[Hornet3d]

I don't purposely buy a present that far in advance, unless I happen to run into an opportunity to get something I know a family member, or friend, wants. One thing my friends and I did back in the day was to make sure everyone in the group knew if there was something specific we wanted. That way, if it was a little more expensive, a couple of us could get together and purchase it for the birthday/holiday celebrant.

I guess that is something that has changed in the last few years, the ability to have a wish list open to family and friends has made the gamble on presents a little less of a problem. With few exceptions most of my family keep an up to date wish list so they will get something they want. There is still the element of surprise as I often forget what I have added to my list and, of course, people do not have to buy from the list if they see something special or want to make something instead. They only thing I do tend to shy away from is buying vouchers, it is just a personal thing.

 

[Rowan54]

I do think that is something that is really lost in this day and age, or maybe it is just my grumpy old man syndrome kicking in but for me homemade seems to say 'I care' far more than something purchased in a quick panic just to have something to give. In a world where many are so short of time if someone takes time out to make something personal for me I value it far more. I am also very aware that a present cost a few dollars from someone for who cash is really tight is every bit, if not more meaningful, than one far more costly from someone where money means little.

Perhaps it is because I remember a time when my father was off work for a long period with TB, at a time when there was no sick pay. Christmas that year was pretty scarce on presents but high on happiness and having the wider family close. Christmas is still a special time for my wife and I, as it was for my father, but spending time together, helping my niece pick her Christmas tree, attending the local carol concert all beat anything I will unwrap on Christmas day.

I also prefer to get the small and the home made. But then most of my true friends are poor, or have enough other financial burdens that getting expensive stuff for others just isn't possible.

I also remember a time when my parents were elderly and I was working when I could (for various reasons, mostly health, I never could hold a job for long), and money was very tight. A box of oranges was the big present for the year. (The little oranges, from Japan.) There were a few other smaller things and maybe some things that others sent to the household. And that was it.

I do get the impression that most people don't enjoy the holidays, any holidays, very much. In many cases its because they're throwing money at them, instead of feelings.

Like the sign I saw at a gift shop said, "It's not the presents under the tree, it's the faces around it."

 

[Hornet3d]

I also prefer to get the small and the home made. But then most of my true friends are poor, or have enough other financial burdens that getting expensive stuff for others just isn't possible.

I also remember a time when my parents were elderly and I was working when I could (for various reasons, mostly health, I never could hold a job for long), and money was very tight. A box of oranges was the big present for the year. (The little oranges, from Japan.) There were a few other smaller things and maybe some things that others sent to the household. And that was it.

I do get the impression that most people don't enjoy the holidays, any holidays, very much. In many cases its because they're throwing money at them, instead of feelings.

Like the sign I saw at a gift shop said, "It's not the presents under the tree, it's the faces around it."

I think a lot of people understand how commercialised holidays have become, particularly Christmas and I think many dislike it but seem to do little to change it. I guess I am lucky in that I get on with my In-Laws and as they live locally they do not come over to stay although we do spend a lot of time together. A family tradition of ours is to go to midnight mass and then back home for a early morning supper, something I have done for close on sixty years, and the last thirty nine with my wife. With more of the family living in other countries it has become a smaller affair but my wife and I, along with my sister and niece, keep the tradition going. I think the real plus for us though is my wife and I love spending time together. She retired early giving up a half decent salary so we could spend more time together and see as much of her parents as we can, while we can. During the year we take them out often, years ago it was out walking but they are not a agile as they once were so it tends to be garden centres, pub meals or gardens in the summer. My Father-in-Law has recently given up driving and my Mother-in-Law never took a test so we run taxi service for them when they need to go to the doctor or hospital which is a fairly regular occurrence. We are not rich so we could still use the salary my wife used to earn but for all that we are enriched in so many other ways that neither of use regret her retiring early. The only sadness I have is that I was never in a position to do the same for my parents when they were alive.

I was recently asked by a local church official what god could do for me and I could honestly not think of anything. He queried my hesitation and I said I was happy with my life and there were so many others needing his help it would be wrong for him to do anything for me or, in truth, more than he had done already. He seemed genuinely surprised, apparently far too often the answer was a bigger house, better car or more money.

 

[Terre]

It's not just you being a grumpy old man. Home made says the same for me.

 

[Hornet3d]

It's not just you being a grumpy old man. Home made says the same for me.

Glad I am not the only one.

 

[Miss B]

Oh, I used to make home made things for all kinds of occasions. My mom taught me to knit and crochet when I was about 9 or 10, and I've done needlepoint, though it's been years since the eyes started getting worse. Very often, especially for my friends as they started having children, I would knit or crochet something for the child, and they have always loved it.

More than once my mom, who was a seamstress, would surprise me with something knitted, crocheted, or even sewn for a birthday present. Those were always the best presents.