Well, the Christmas shopping season has “officially” begun in the U.S. Thanksgiving Day last Thursday gave way to Black Friday, which is considered the busiest shopping day of the year.
Black Friday gave way to Small Business Saturday, which American Express helped promote as a way to encourage people to shop locally to support hometown businesses.
Small Business Saturday gave way to Cyber Monday, a day when many online retailers and businesses promoted special offers and deals.
Then Cyber Monday gave way to Giving Tuesday, a day when people are encouraged to get in the holiday giving spirit by making an online donation their favorite cause or charity.
What I Did on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday
Thanksgiving
On Thursday, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering with my side of the family. Got to see some extended family members that I hadn’t seen in a while. We enjoyed a great meal, watched the Detroit Lions lose a football game, then went out to see Wreck It Ralph at the local theater.
I went to Target on Thanksgiving night at around 11:00 pm to buy a specific Christmas gift for one of our kids. When I arrived at the store, that item was no where to be found on the shelves and the clerk said it had sold out.
I decided to walk around the store to see what else was on sale. Then I took one more look to see if that item I wanted was still out, and I found one! The clerk said someone had just come back to return it. I told him I’ll take it, and then I thanked the Lord for providing that gift at just the right time!
Black Friday
On Black Friday, I did some shopping in the morning by myself for our kids (not super-early, just around 9:00 am). Later that morning, I took the whole family out to Hobby Lobby (which I affectionately call the Lobby of Hobbies) where we traditionally buy a new Christmas tree ornament for each of our kids. After that, we enjoyed lunch at Costco and did a bit of grocery shopping there.
Throughout the afternoon and early evening, I took three of my kids out to shop for a Christmas gift for their “secret sibling” (the sibling whose name they had drawn for Christmas).
Small Business Saturday
On Small Business Saturday we shopped at a local business a block from our house – a health food store. Then I took another one of our kids out to shop for their secret sibling.
“Normal” Sunday
So far, no one has given the Sunday after Thanksgiving a name yet, so I’ll just call it “Normal” Sunday. On Sunday we enjoyed worshiping with our church family in the morning, and then gathering with our life group in the evening.
Cyber Monday
On Cyber Monday, I bought a couple of online training courses to help me grow my blogging and coaching business.
Giving Tuesday
On Giving Tuesday I gave a gift to one of my favorite ministries.
All in all, I enjoyed the extended holiday weekend and had fun doing a little shopping for the kids. I didn’t feel any anxiety or pressure at all, and I didn’t think the crowds were any busier than a normal Saturday – at least that’s how it was at the places I went to.
What about you? Did you participate in Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, or Giving Tuesday? Please share your experience in the comments. Thanks!
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