You are all probably thinking that I'm grinch-ier than the Grinch, scrooge-ier than Ebenezer, and simply no fun to hang around coming the winter holiday season. First came my thumbs down to Thanksgiving, and now I'm about to trash the shopping mania that started yesterday with Black Friday. Sorry.Replacing of a meaningful God/family celebration with endless consumption just bugs me. A lot. Why do we, the larger American community, feel the need to shop ourselves into oblivion, hoping for a good tax return to pay off our holiday debts? It makes no sense to me.
That said, I just discovered that today is Small Business Saturday. This is something of an alternative to Black Friday and its online counterpart, Cyber Monday. Instead of trying to snag ultra HD televisions that can see into the future for the low, low price of $4.99 (USD, of course), Small Business Saturday is about choosing to support small, local businesses over mega chain stores like Wal-Mart.
This is something I can get behind. At least, I can get behind it more than the standard manic shopping that makes this weekend so very special.
So, if you're looking for some small businesses to support with your patronage, here are some of my top choices:
- Shots 'n' Knots :: Yes, this is my shop. Shameless self promotion, I know, but it's good handmade stuff, and thrifty, too!
- HoopPretty :: HoopPretty sells the most adorable clothing and accessories printed with designs for those who, as their tagline goes, "heart the hoop." Be sure to take advantage of their Cybertastic Thank You Sale, which runs through this coming Tuesday.
- Eriander :: This is my good friend's Etsy shop, where she sells handmade knitted items. I own a pair of her fingerless gloves, and they rock.
- Forgotten Sprites :: Another friend's Etsy shop, this one features 8-bit Nintendo-themed Christmas ornaments. Geek-tastic!
(Oh, and if you're curious, the above photo was taken of me by a good friend in 2007. I am fake shopping at the Tiffany's window in New York City. Good times!)
My thoughts exactly. My friend posted "Who's participating in the blatant consumerism on Black Friday (ironically immediately after the day we give thanks for what we actually already have)?" I thought that was perfect.
ReplyDeletecheers beth. i was terrified to go to the grocery store yesterday...i thought i was going to have to fight for an avocado, but it was quiet and safe thank God! i'm with you on keeping it local and supporting small businesses and artists. those who can, can (and maybe should!) but i also won't poopoo the wal-mart scramblers. to each their own...and for all the yuck about them, i do think wal-mart does a lot of good too.ps self promotion is totally not shameless, and i stand behind your awesome knitting!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, when I first loaded up this page I thought that photo was of ME. We look strikingly similar! I agree - I'm not a fan of Thanksgiving either. Also, I hate Black Friday w/ a passion. It just reeks of all the obnoxiousness of all that is wrong w/ America. Cheap crap bought by selfish people who don't have their heads around what really matters. I was very excited this year to learn about Small Biz Saturday. I've been hearing ads for it on the radio for weeks!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I like to stay far from the stores on this day :)
ReplyDeleteI did a little shopping Friday, but I bought several of my gifts before then. I didn't want to deal with the crowds and the attitudes; no sale is worth that.In one of the two stores Mom and I visited, a woman was on the intercom every thirty seconds or less plugging the wares in various departments. Good thing I don't carry a gun; I'd have been sorely tempted to shoot out the nearest speaker. Mom said her cashier commented that the announcer must hate Christmas music since she kept talking rather than let it play.I love giving gifts; it's one way I can show people I love them. Running the consumerism gauntlet to obtain the gifts - that I can do without. If my family appreciated the handmade stuff I do, I'd skip the store-bought stuff entirely.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister. While I think there's nothing more gratifying than being able to give somebody something meaningful and special, I abhor the excess consumption (of food and goods)this time of year. It's obnoxious and defeats the reason for the season. We also had a "Small Business Saturday" thing this weekend, which is always great. While I try and make my own gifts or donate to a cause, the next best thing is shopping local ;) If that's Bah Humbug, then Bah Humbug!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! BAH! I was feeling rather sheepish about posting a "black friday" sale; however I figured that it was possible our fans were looking for a great deal so why not say "thanks for a great year" by offering a sale? I did not go out at ALL on Black Friday. We just stayed in and played laptops :)Thanks for the shout out and helping to support us little guys passionate about what we do. :)
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