Trust me, I completely understand the frustration with how Black Friday edges into Thanksgiving. At some stores, it’s even completely taken over the holiday with doors opening early Thursday morning or deals running all week long.
My husband loathes pre-Black Friday Christmas. It’s one of the things he can rant about for hours, similar to his disdain for mini cupcakes. I know, I don’t get it either, but don’t ask him about it unless you have a spare afternoon to burn. In any case, in our home any and all Christmas decorations, lights, music and other festivities are banned until after the turkey has been served and the leftovers are stuffed in the fridge.
No, our Black Friday truly means Black FRIDAY. We give our thanks on Thursday, and then get busy with a very important task the day after. What task? Saving money.
I’ve written about tricks and tips I use to save my family cash and shared about my love for shopping and product finds, so it makes sense that Black Friday is kind of a big deal around here. It actually has very little to do with buying Christmas gifts and a whole lot to do with saving money on things we’ll use throughout the year.
Sure the crazy shoppers and impossible-to-find parking spaces can be a beast. But not really that much of a beast because I find the energy of the hustle-and-bustle to be sort of exhilarating.
Forgoing sleep is not my favorite, though being able to cross off your whole list and be home by 7am is a high in its own right.
So really, for us, the sticky wickets of the day are just that–sticky, but don’t really matter that much because, again, we are saving money.
I have a story about Black Friday. It’s a bit sentimental, and it is the one reason I will always love the day.
It was the first year we were married. We were the kind of poor that can’t eat out–at McDonalds. The kind that sobs a bit when you get sick because the $10 doctor’s office copay was simply not to be found. But my husband was doing this crazy thing and trying to be professional. He had a suit, but not a dress shirt to go with it. So we plotted and planned. We organized our sale papers and ads and got in line outside a department store at 4:30am (this was back when 5am openings were still a thing on Black Friday). We bee-lined to the men’s section and proudly found a nice shirt and tie set in his size.
We nervously handed it to the clerk along with our clipped coupons. $5. FIVE DOLLARS. And with that my husband and I fell in love with Black Friday and we’ll never look back.
The savings may never again be as sweet or as meaningful as they were this first year, but they are still there. And they still make our budget smile and allow us to victory dance a bit in pride when we catch them.
So if fighting through the crowds or stalking Amazon’s lightning deals happens to be your thing too, know that my husband and I right there with you–memory of a snazzy dress shirt fueling us on. Go get your savings, friends!
This video explaining our Black Friday passion was shared in this post last year. And yeah, nothing’s changed 😉
http://youtu.be/T8l1pHGmnyE
Image credit: depositphotos.com, image ID:1375537, copyright:shirotie
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Jhanis says
THIS! I have heard so many negative things about Black Fridays but I have always thought about those who would really appreciate the sale. I know I would! And if we had them here, I would be the first in line so I can get my kids much needed rubber shoes which we can’t buy right now until Holiday bonuses come in. Pay check to pay check living can suck because you have to prioritize food and shelter before anything else. So yay for great discounts for me!
Meredith says
Exactly, JHanis, the discounts can’t be beat! Hoping you score that bonus and some sweet sales soon so you can snatch up some savings!
thedoseofreality says
Love it Meredith! That shirt and tie story totally made me cry! I will admit that I understand the savings need on Black Friday (headed over to ebates right this second!), but I just can’t go out. Someday…maybe! ;)-Ashley
Meredith says
Hey, the online savings can be just as super! Go grab ’em up! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Yup, I absolutely love this and I admit just something else we have in common as I love Black Friday and was out shopping half the day. Finally home now catching up, but yes we are so on the same page. And with Ashley, you got me choked up on the video, too!
Meredith says
Glad you got your shopping and savings in, Janine! Solidarity fist-bump 🙂
Jen says
Look at little elyse!
Meredith says
Just as much of a pistol as ever 😉
Jill Robbins says
I have a love-hate relationship with black Friday. I skipped it last year…I slept in while husband went to Lowes (which is NOT my idea of fun black Friday shopping.) I’m excited to get back in there this year. Since we live in a warm climate, that’s usually when I do all my school clothes shopping.
And, as much as I hate the commercialism creeping into Thursday, I am kinda drooling over some of the deals…
Meredith says
Jill, I hope you have fun this year! And exactly–this is when I stock up on the stuff our family needs year-round. Hope it’s a win for you!
TheNotsoSuperMom says
I’m not a black Friday shopper. I worked in retail for years and so I was always working that day and then when that ended I had kids and no one to watch them during a 4am bargain run. I have occasionally felt like I missed a specific good deal but I’m on with that.
And kudos to you for keeping it on Friday! I totally understand the desire of sometimes the need to get those bargains, but I’d never miss Thanksgiving dessert, no matter how good the deal! 😉
Meredith says
Yes! 3 cheers for keeping Thanksgiving a day of thanks, not a day of scrambling for more!