And The Countdown Begins

It is now techically "Black Friday," and in about an hour or two the shopping craze will begin. Though doubtfully for our family. I am not a big "Day After Thanksgiving Sale" shopper. All those people just start getting on my nerves after awhile. The only reason why I hesitate, is that it is also tax-free weekend in South Carolina which gives you that extra little push to get out there and fight the crowds.

Though, I can remember one year deciding to take that venture out to the malls to really see what the hub-bub was all about. I had never, believe it or not, shoppend on this notorious date. Shopping for Christmas that early, meant planning way ahead, which I was never really good at.

I believe for my first venture and introduction to Black Friday, Tyler was only about 6 months old, so obviously, still in a stroller. Not that the pushing for those "gotta have it" sale items was bad enough, but there were actual people putting the things they didn't want, on my son's stroller. When I said, "excuse me," they actually looked at me as if I was from Mars. After that, Shawn and I figured between the mad rush of people, the lack of parking spaces (or better yet the 3 mile hike just to get into the mall) and the irritable, pushy and crazed people out there, that this shopping day was not meant for us.

Even though I may not shop on the day after Thanksgiving, it still has very special meaning as now the countdown to Christmas really begins. Beginning tomorrow (or in a couple of hours,) I can officially listen to Christmas music, 24 hours a day if I wish, pull out our Christmas decorations from the attic, decorate the outside of our house with lights and venture to the Christmas Tree Farm, to cut down our tree. It will begin the season of watching our Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman DVD's, Christmas Caroling, cookie baking and of course, the most important, to recognize and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Though, when Shawn realizes what is in store for the day, I bet he'll want to go shopping instead.