Are you standing in line first thing the Friday morning after Thanksgiving? Or Thanksgiving night? I’m not. I just don’t buy into all of the hype and feel like those jokes running around Facebook about being thankful on Thursday and greedy on Friday really hold some truth.

I can’t stand to read stories about people being trampled in stores and even gun fights. To me, even as a frugal Mom, no sale is worth any of that. And, I prefer to teach my children that the season’s hottest toy is either within reach or not. I’m not going to fight for something that really, in the greater scheme of things, has no value. Luckily, they understand.

I do often take advantage of a couple of other promotions around this time of year like “Small Business Saturday” where local business are patronized rather than the big box stores. I truly believe that these local stores, especially in smaller communities, really support the structure of our downtowns and put dollars back into the community. Plus, some of these small stores have the neatest gifts that really jump out at you with someone’s name on them. Much more fun than shopping isle after isle of household goods trying to find something for that hard to buy for person in your life.

Of course, I’m not a total prude. There certainly are things that my kids ask for that can’t be bought in these local shops, especially electronics and video games and the like. For those items, I’m a huge fan of Cyber Monday. Great deals online and no crowds. That’s my kind of shopping!

Whatever avenue you chose to shop, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe weekend! Please do be grateful for what you have and foster the spirit of giving and caring. You don’t need a single cent to check in on someone, smile at your neighbor and wish someone a happy Holiday!

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