Black Friday, do we really need to spend more money on junk?

I think that all this Black Friday/Christmas shopping is madness. Not only is buying overpriced Chinese crap not anywhere near the meaning of Christmas, and it promotes the production of toxic and persistent chemicals and materials, but it also robs people of the chance to think about God (or any other deity associated with this time of year) and family. So me and my boyfriend have agreed to just do something nice for each other and be together.

I am a talented artist (drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery) but totally lack creativity, so I need some good ideas for projects or just activities that would make him happy. He is very serious and practical therefore would be hard to please with all that mushy holiday stuff.

I have several family members who would not understand my point of view, so for them I need earth and morality friendly gift ideas that will be up to snuff with their big spender ideals.

I completely abstained from Black Friday, as I do every year. Not because I'm doing as a protest, but because I'd much rather stay home and hang out with friends and family that I don't get to see often enough. That, and there is close to nothing that I can buy in a store that appeals to me.

Not to mention that staying home is safer!

http://www.wcti12.com/news/29855329/detail.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/25/walmart-pepper-spray-black-friday_n_1112548.html

Some folks could use a "church of permaculture"!

Mate, What is "Black Friday" in the States? For us down under it was the really bad bushfires in January '39. As for Christmas, our philosophy is give something for kids only, and make a big point to the kids that the adults' gifts to each other are just presence and love. And because our seasons are the inverse of yours, its also about the first summer fruits and first swimming of the season - a celebration of spring/summer plenty before the sharp end of the fire season.

We only give presents to our kids, and those are very reasonable (like 100 dollars). We give cash, it seems to be what is most preferred.

We also give a token present to our parents, usually something made from our wood working shop or something my wife paints.

They are adults and get it, especially since they have an inheritance, unlike most people. After all, people could have a retirement and leave something to their kids, if they invested what they spent for Christmas, instead of going in debt as well.

Drew Barr wrote:Mate, What is "Black Friday" in the States? For us down under it was the really bad bushfires in January '39. As for Christmas, our philosophy is give something for kids only, and make a big point to the kids that the adults' gifts to each other are just presence and love. And because our seasons are the inverse of yours, its also about the first summer fruits and first swimming of the season - a celebration of spring/summer plenty before the sharp end of the fire season.

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving when Christmas shopping official starts.

It's called "black" because, I've heard, it's the single day that puts many retailers in the black (positive) side of the ledger.

Most Americans have or take the day off, making it a long weekend a month before the material glut with which we celebrate the birth of a spiritual leader.

Nobody says you have to go shopping. I don't. Likewise I feel no need to stop other people from shopping. Their spending helps to create jobs. More power to them. Just not my way of being.

My Husband and I are the worst consumers ever. no Black friday shopping, we have now started paying for everything with cash only, I make my biggest purchases at thrift stores (with coupons! :0), and we wind up paying very little sales taxes. oh yeah we are doing the thing where we live within our means, the best advise my grandma ever gave me.

I guess we are not supporting a flawed system of supply/demand/tax infrastructure........oh well

The only thing I ever buy on "Black Friday" is turkeys.

I did spend money on Black Friday, despite my best intentions. I discovered late Wednesday night that the battery in my pick-up truck was a goner. Friday saw me making a trip to the auto parts store to remedy the problem.

Black Friday was invented by retailers in the same way and for the same reason they invented Valentine's day: To make money.

The popularity I think is also based on the social aspect, its a modern day Christmas tradition with memories, rituals,etc.
The aspect of going out and being part of the crowd, belonging to a group. The last time I went out on Black Friday, some 10 years
ago- I think I spent maybe $20 at the most, but I spent all day traveling and seeing sights with a good friend.

Christmas shopping is a very cross cultural event.

It is when Christians go to
Stores owned by Jews
to buy gifts manufactured by Budhists.

A win-win for everybody.

John Polk wrote:Christmas shopping is a very cross cultural event.

It is when Christians go to
Stores owned by Jews
to buy gifts manufactured by Budhists.

A win-win for everybody.

You forgot, to celebrate a festivals originated by pagans.

We don't have Black Friday here in the UK but Christmas seems to get worse every year for me. I just don't understand why people need to rush around and spend a shed load of money on giving and receiving crap they rarely need or care about. And I really dislike the unsustainable aspect of it all.

All I need for the festive period is some nice food, good company and a bottle of wine or three.

We shop in the mark down isles all year. We also shop at thrift shops and a used bookstore.

We are virtually done with our gift shopping. And that is without breaking the bank, and without shopping on Black Friday.

Unless I know of something someone really needs, I just get them an ounce of silver. Usually buy my metals online to keep from driving around.

Paul and Jocelyn give listener feedback in this podcast. podcast

They talk about Black Friday and frugality.