Focus on the "what".

Thanksgiving Day. Will I be shopping? Are you kidding me? NO! I won't be shopping the day after either. I have no desire to watch what I can only call, "the greed show". I'm sorry if you're a big deal hunter on that day. I don't mean to call you greedy! But the general air,  when I see people running. RUNNING! with shopping carts, two or more of them- I can only become sick to my stomach. And that was a bad bunch of sentence structure. Who cares.

Anyway, this whole business, and I mean business of having your stores open ON Thanksgiving is just deplorable to me. Do we ever get a rest? Is it ever about family or is it about bargains? Do we ever stop, hesitate, ponder, enjoy, relish in the time we have on holidays, or are we just worried about the next day already? Are we so worried about getting the "deal", that we put our material gain ahead of people? People who are there for the long haul. That gift you're chasing will be forgotten in a week, a day, a month....a minute. The people won't.

I don't mean to poo poo the idea of saving money, I just think Christmas has already been so commercial, why do we need to amp it up even more? Does it really matter that you got the Legos for $10 less? Did it help you buy more of something you need, or did it just make you buy more junk that your kids will forget or not appreciate? Impulse buying. Greed. Gluttony. Overspending. Overeating. Wasting time. Wasting gas. And for what??

Maybe it's the "what" that we all need to focus on. Why do you spend 12 or more hours shopping for deals? Is it because you enjoy giving that much? Is it because you pinch pennies? Is it because secretly you're a compulsive shopper and this gives you free reign? Is it for a more noble reason- that you are on a fixed income and it's the only way to save money and still be able to provide gifts? Or maybe you buy toys for charities. Focus on the "what". Don't just focus on the deal.

Don't just do the whole shopping thing because you think you're missing out on the most fabulous deal in the world ever. Advertising is a great lie. It is meant to make you believe you need things you don't need! It's there to pull you in and take your money. Remember that. Sometimes these shopping trips are a bonding time with your friends or family. Sometimes what you end up with is witnessing the rudest people ever. And my friends, I can't stand that!! I would much rather spend a little more, buy a few less gifts, and keep my peace. I don't mind spending money on people I love. I really don't. I'm pretty disciplined about gift-buying. I've had to be. Just because you have more money doesn't mean you should be spending it. Especially on massive amounts of gifts for your kids, who believe me, will only play with one or two things they really like. The rest is overwhelming.

I am speaking from experience here. I'm not just spouting off today. The best gifts I have given my daughters have been made by my hand. TIME is the best gift. Family movie night is a gift. Sledding is a gift. There is so much we can give to others that doesn't involve leaving them on Thanksgiving in search of the "perfect gift" or the best "deal". The best deal is spending your time with that family you love so much.

Focus on the "what".