Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday

I didn't go shopping today, but then I never really go shopping on Black Friday. So my contribution to the economy through holiday shopping hasn't really changed. I'm trying to do my part, but I really cannot bear the crowds. They drain me of all my chi.

Who got up to go to the 5am sales today? I was up not much later than that, but did it enter my mind that socks were half price at Fred Meyer? Noooooo. Besides it's really a direct conflict with the directions we got from the City of Seattle to buy experiences instead of gifts this year and the whole spiritual hoo-ha not to be so consumerist at the holidays. We donated a bunch of goats from the Heifer Project in the names of Jeff's family members. We told one of his family members this so he would know he didn't have to trawl the malls looking for a gift for us--the polite yet disappointed oh okay makes me realize we will have to supplement with some cookies or a photo of Hugo or something.

Meanwhile, I'm all set to bake a GREEN CAKE for Hugo's birthday tomorrow. A special request of his--he's even practicing blowing out candles but ooops we don't have any. So I will go shopping today after all.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are going to tell us why it has to be GREEN? (and reassure me that I'm correct in assuming it's not the recycled green?)

I avoided the crowds as well...ugh.

Dani In NC said...

Is your green cake pistachio? My husband loves pistachio cake but he only gets it when his mom's neighbor makes it for him.

My husband used to be big on shopping on Black Friday, but this year there wasn't anything with a deep enough discount to make it worthwhile to get up at 4a. The days of $50 TVs seem to be gone :-).

Vanessa said...

I love the Heiffer project! It's always on my list, but when I try to give it as a gift to any of my family members (who are extremely consumer-ist) it's rejected and they ask me to exchange it for them. Umm, yeah, they pretty much miss the point entirely.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Go to Smart and Final and buy their 500 pack of birthday candles-that way you won't ever have to run out and buy them again. Seriously.

I hope the cake turns out great. I never thought of putting it that way, but you're right--the mall drains me of my chi.

smalltownme said...

Green inside as well as out?

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

I've got soup brewing and I just finished baking up some oatmeal raisin cookies.

I've been home all day in yoga pants.

All that bustle makes me crazy...

(We are headed to a tree lighting with Badmom's family here in a bit. I can't wait to hear more about this green cake.)

ellen said...

A green cake sounds good to me.
I have not been in a mall for over 7-8 years. What shopping I do is right here on the Internet. I get confused and overwhelmed..could it be my age?? I just choose the comfort of my own home, and it is going to be a lot leaner here this year.
Leaner, yes...but we have been used to having so much. It's o.k. to pare down.
Happy Birthday to that special person, and best wishes for the upcoming holidays to you and all.

Angie said...

Black Friday - ugh - no thank you. My daughters love it and thankfully they have aunties that love it - so they all head out bright and early while I snuggle deeper into my covers:)

A green cake for Hugo - sweet. Can't wait to see pictures of his little face blowing out the candles.

stephanie said...

I avoid Black Friday like the Black Plague, frankly.

We get the same sort of disappointed response when we tell family members about donations in their names. It's a particular bummer because we try to match the donated item to their interests.

Oh well, we keep trying.

JCK said...

You captured that Oh, Okay...perfectly!

Irene said...

There are no malls in the city int he Netherlands where I live. There is just downtown and the different shopping areas. We don't have Black Friday and I doubt I would go out in it. I like to shop downtown, but only if I know exactly what I am getting, no browsing around endlessly. I like to shop on line for books and CD's. For clothes for myself. Luckily, Christmas here is not a great give a way event. People shop for nice outfits for dinner parties and for New Year's parties. That's it.

Jen's Farmily said...

Normally I hate crowds, but I love shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I usually try to get a small group (usually a sister and friend or two) and one of us will get a place in line while the other ones shop.

I also go out on Black Friday knowing that I'll have to wait in line and that I'll have to park a good distance away. People who get mad about that stuff crack me up. SO STAY HOME!

Anonymous said...

I shopped this Black Friday, but only from the safety of an entirely different continent!
Happy Birthday Hugo! He's adorable.