This year, for once, I didn’t have to work on Black Friday and I am doing my happy dance, glad to spend as much time as I want with my family.
If you never worked retail, you are lucky. For the last 17 years, my life was on hold every Thanksgiving, unable to travel and see family because I worked retail and our shifts were long, roughly 10-12 hours each time. All I did when I got home was just sit with my feet up and veg out watching T.V.
Not anymore!
This year, I retired, and with my newfound freedom, we did things a lot differently.
My Black Friday Bucket list is short:
- No shopping in stores
- Spend time with family
- Make memories
No Shopping
Sure, I might have saved some money shopping the Black Friday deals, but after 17 years of watching customers was it really worth the time? I have seen lines wrap around the building to save a few bucks. No thanks, although if that is your idea fun, then more power to you.
The special deals will probably be offered all December anyway – they do seem to extend them!
I plan do some shopping after the company goes. Isn’t that what Cyber Monday is all about?
Honestly, we are blessed enough not to need all the material things. To me, giving one’s self is more important that any store-bought items.
Think about it, what would you rather have during this time?
If I could make a wish, I would bring back all my loved ones to be with me again.
Being Nancy Dru, I would now ask them to tell me about my family history and I would update them on what I discovered before and about the new generations.
As I get older, I seem to understand this more.
Life is too short.
Family Time
On Black Friday, we enjoyed the simple family time of going to the zoo, and while there, I saw my grandson ice skate for the first time.
Some of us haven’t skated in over 50 years. For me it was probably about 40 years. I told my grandson how I would wear my skates and carefully walk to the ice rink so as not to ruin the edge on my figure skates, a difficult task as it was in a park a block away from my house.
After ice skating, we spent time looking at the animals, then everybody came back to our house for leftover dinner day and then we played some fast dice games, Left-Center-Right and Ship-Captain-Crew.
These games were fun and quick, and the best part was that all eight of us could play, even our seven-year-old grandson.
Making Memories
I am so glad that I now am FREE to spend time with family that all those years I have been missing out on. Now, I can make family memories on Black Friday.
Our family enjoyed our time together so much that we might make this an annual Black Friday tradition to go to the zoo, leftovers and games.
Making memories is one of the best gifts and will last a lifetime.
Next, I will add all the photos and videos from our outing to my tree. If you would like to know how to do this, click the links below:
So, what will you be doing on your next Black Friday? I know what I am doing.
