'Tis the Season for Consumerism

The Black Friday ads are out in full force. I've generally avoided the day after Thanksgiving shopping frenzy. I think I've been one or two years to get particular things, but I'm finished by 8 or 9 a.m., and away from the crowds. From the few ads I've seen so far, I don't see anything that's such a great deal that I want to be standing outside a store at 4 a.m. in the pre-dawn cold with a few hundred other people so we can all grab at the same item they have three of in stock.

I heard an analyst say a few weeks ago that this year was going to be one where consumers wait until the last minute to see what deals the retailers offer. I have to say I'm likely to be in that category this year. There are always some computer peripherals I want, but they're going to have to be really good deals to make it worth getting out of bed at dark-thirty to go stand in the cold.

I need a new digital camera, but no one seems to have any spectacular deals on those either. It would seem the days of really stunning deals are gone. That makes no sense to me since it would seem that consumers are less likely to spend money these days with gas prices rising, but what do I know.

Generally by now I have all my Christmas shopping done because I do it all year long. This year I don't think I have one single gift purchased yet. I haven't had much time for shopping this year and haven't traveled anywhere exotic to pick up something unusual for people.  But, sometimes it's fun to shop as part of the season, so this will be a year to enjoy that.

My big Christmas purchase so far was more lights for the tree. I have all the lights on and have started putting ornaments on. Hopefully I'll finish by this weekend. Then I'll have a whole month to enjoy it.