So today is Black Friday.
Rather weirdly it is also International Buy Nothing Day ... I know which I'd rather support.
Deciding not to buy things makes some people look at you as though you're a bit strange. Not wanting Christmas presents, anniversary presents, birthday presents, present for presents sake presents takes people aback.
Visitors bring presents I do not want, that I do not need. I try to smile sweetly and thank them, but anyone that knows me well knows I struggle to smile sweetly. Inside my head a voice is screaming why, why, WHY the fuck why.
The most annoying ones say 'I know you don't like presents but ...'
AArrgghh!!
I'll not be shopping today.
Sue xx
I do share your feelings on presents - struggle to receive them, and struggle even more to find suitable ones for others.
ReplyDeleteShopping for me today was 2 bags of sunflower hearts for the birds and fudge and choccie for us - but we only got the treats because we were there anyway. But oh the traffic - I think everyone else in Preston was out 'bargain' hunting.
xxxx
Nice and quiet here, if anything it was the charity shops that were the busiest 😃
DeleteUnwanted gifts? I would be gracious, kind and happily pass the gift on to others. Simple.
ReplyDeleteI have no one to pass things on to!!
DeleteSally has a good idea, pass the gifts on to others. If the gift is appropriate, a retirement/nursing home, etc. Black Friday is a great day to stay home, which is my plan.
ReplyDeleteHaha ... I don't know what sort of gifts you think I get given, or how old you think I am, but the sort of things I get would not be suitable for nursing homes!!
DeleteThe people that know me know my opinion on unwanted manufacture of things, waste, landfill etc etc. yet still they buy me stuff. This was the point I was making.
My Black Friday spend was £5.50 at a fundraiser coffee morning/sale for the doctors surgery.
ReplyDeleteI love giving and receiving presents and now everyone knows what I don't like it's getting better by the year!
Sounds like a sensible spend, and for a good cause 🙂
DeleteI've stayed at home - but I have done some online shopping of things which were on my (4) children's lists for Xmas and 2 birthdays of theirs - nothing which I wouldn't have bought on a different day anyway and all things I've been checking prices on. Includes a pair of shoes (needed for student child), some books and 2 pre-owned (and therefore much cheaper anyway) ps4 games. Ooh - and am just about to order some old photo prints for my Nan who has dementia and threw away all of her photos, so I want to get her some re-done of times she may remember (eg her 40th wedding anniversary meal with all the family) to take into the care home for her
ReplyDeleteThey sound like thoughtful and considered items.
DeleteNot shopping here either. The gifts we give are things we need, or things I make.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Sounds just perfect ♥️
DeleteThe friend I don't have anymore used to quiz me every Christmas about what I was buying and what I received. Everything in her life was measured by money. She would look down her nose when I'd say we haven't bought for each other as there is nothing I need. The same person in the next breath says she can't afford this or that. Martin Lewis said it all. Don't spend beyond your means, don't be pressured by people, it can only lead to trouble.
ReplyDeleteHe speaks a lot of sense does Martin Lewis, if only more people would take notice.
DeleteNo shopping here yesterday, although I confess that at some point over the weekend I will take advantage of the current discounts: my phone is now so old that it struggles to install updates and the touch screen only works when it feels like it, it's going to have to be replaced before it stops working. But at least I can ensure that it is recycled, and feel slightly smug that it has lasted me 7 years when the average 'lifespan' of a phone is 2-3 years.
ReplyDeleteThe 'friends' who bring you gifts when you clearly do not want/need them - hmm, are they doing the gifting for themselves or for you? Clearly they don't know you as well as they claim to.
I do understand that some people just don't like to visit empty handed, and that choosing 'the perfect gift' for someone can be a nice excuse for shopping. But those that know me best turn up with a smile ... and nothing else 😃
DeleteI spent the grand sum of £8.99 on a DVD yesterday and only then because it is on youngest wish list and has been since June. The reason I got it yesterday was there was a £1 off and that is better in my pocket than the large retailers. Hubby works in retail and said that I wouldn't believe the amount of money people were spending on Beers, Win and Spirits, there is a good sale on currently, but the sale doesn't end until next Thursday, still each to their own. Don't know if you have seen the photo of H of F flagship store in Londond, festooned in Lights ready for Christmas and homeless people sleeping rough under the overheang, it says it all. Helen S.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the image, I bet it's very poignant. It should be made viral ☹️
DeleteI did the weekly shop yesterday in Tesco. At the checkout I was behind a lady who had at least 30 bottles of spirits layed out on the conveyor belt. Jokingly I asked if she was having a party. She said no party, but she worked in a pub and was stocking up while good offers were on as it was cheaper than buying from the wholesaler. Fancy Tesco being cheaper!
ReplyDeleteOoh ... I guess that makes sense if she's not breaking the rules of her tenancy!!
DeleteWhen I lived in Oxfordshire the local Indian restaurant guy used to bulk buy in Asda for the same reason.
I filled up my shopping trolley with cat food, yesterday. That's all I needed.
ReplyDeletePurrrfect 😃
DeleteI'm so totally on your page. I ask my friends not to bring me gifts, but let them pay for a meal out or agree to shout them to a concert for each others birthdays. One of my best friends insists on presents, so each year I ask that she just buy me some potted spring flowers to have on my deck (about $10 each) for a bit of color. I no longer want any presents or to spend any time trying to find them anything.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've managed a happy compromise 😃
DeleteWhen I visit people, nowadays I often take a home made cake.
ReplyDelete