Well, What'd I Miss?

Confession: I'm not a Black Friday'er. I'm not against people that are, but I'm just not. And it's not because I don't have any interest. In fact, it's the opposite. Deep down, I can feel a deep interest in all the things that comprise Black Friday. The deals, the hunt, the fun new shiny objects to discover. Truth is, there was a season in my life where I could quickly spiral into the whole Black Friday chaos. Today, though, it's different.

I realized how amped up I could get about those sorts of consumeristic days, so I decided to step away from it. It's not that I'll get out of control or overspend, but rather because it takes my attention away from the things that matter most. Instead of looking at deals and trying to score fun goods, I was playing with my kids and nieces all day. We even went to see the new Trolls movie. All in all, it was a fun and relaxing day.....much more so than had I decided to participate in Black Friday.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't think getting into Black Friday is wrong. What concerns me is when people get so engrained in the consumeristic aspect of the holidays that they miss the entire point of the season. Their kids may have the newest toys, but they miss out on valuable time enjoying the holidays together. They get so consumed in ensuring every aspect of the holiday is perfectly presented and curated that they don't have time to enjoy the people they are hosting.

If your kids are like mine, their Christmas list is a mile long. Sure, they will be excited when they receive that extra special gift they've been wanting so badly. But just remember, that euphoric feeling is fleeting. Soon, it will be just another toy in their room. That shiny new object will be in a landfill within a handful of years. The memories you create with them, on the other hand, will last a lifetime. Go heavy on memories. Memories will never let you down. While you're at it, go easy on yourself about the gifts. They matter, but they don't. Please don't put too much pressure on yourself to spend, spend, and spend.

I'm sure I missed something on Black Friday, but what I got in return was pretty sweet. I hope your holiday season is full of memories, togetherness, and joy.