hmmm...maybe I should clarify.
While shopping is, for me, an olympic level event, I have also been known to NOT shop for the holidays until the week before (some years I've been working 12 days on, 2 days off, and those have been 10-12 hour days.) I am even famous for picking up the single MOST popular Christmas gift I ever gave my brother--a travel coffee mug from a gas station that offered free refills for a year from the date stamped on the bottom of the mug. I got it on Christmas Eve when I tanked up, and filled the mug with peanut M&Ms.
His gift cost me $3, and gave him free coffee for a year. He still talks about it. Anyway, working those hours, the only times I got to a Walmart (or any other store) was if they were open 24/7 and I could hit them after I got off shift. I like shopping at midnight. It cuts down on the numbers of crazies in the store...if you don't count the night stocking crew.
I also seldom use a cart when shopping. A hand-basket, maybe. The only time I use a cart is when I'm on weight restrictions after surgery. It slows me down too much.
However, yesterday at BPS, I had to go back to the front of the store and trade my hand-basket for a cart--the weight of ten fleece jackets was just a little too much.
I also didn't get to BPS until after 7 a.m. (they opened at 6.) I was in time for the last of the free coffee. The only thing they were out of were the $10 dog beds, and some of the colors of women's fleece...and I didn't need those, anyway.
I think the employee being trampled to death and the reactions of the shoppers reported on this morning's news was/is reprehensible. Shopping is NOT a contact sport or a smack-down. The art of finding a good deal shouldn't involve personal injury.
I'm also not averse to using the 'net or QVC in pursuit of that good deal.
I picked up two sets of pearl stud earrings (14 total gifts) when they were a special on QVC a few weeks ago. They came out to about $4/pair; along with a hand-made ornament, they bring gifts in for my co-workers and girlfriends of nephews and my own friends for about $6 apiece. That left me a little room in the budget for the $10 fleeces for the guys. Some years I spend more on the girls than the guys, other years it evens out, but I generally stay under $200 for gifts for 25-30 people. I make a lot of things (ornaments, fudge, cookies, CD mixes, etc.) which cuts down on the $$$ spent.
And I'll admit, the last time I had a chance to shop on a Black Friday, it was all about me. I'd just had a lightening direct hit to my house that took out the TV, VCR, and phone. My computer was on its last legs, too. I went to Walmart later in the day and picked up a new TV and a new VCR. I went to Staples, again later in the afternoon, and picked up a new phone. Came down the computer aisle and found a laptop on sale+clearance for $600. I'm all about the bargain...but only if it's something I really need.
Now I've got to go out again and pick up a gift my sister forget to get for my mom yesterday--she wants new TV tray tables, and they're on weekend sale at Rite-Aid. Ah well, I need to get to the post office anyway!
