The Joy of Capitalism

[Apple fanboy]

Black Friday has historically not been "a thing" here in NZ, but over the past few years - and particularly this year - the retailers have been screaming "Black Friday sales!!!" for weeks. And I really do mean weeks: as it's not a traditional event here, different retailers do it on different days. Most of them have passed now, but at least one place is having their Black Friday tomorrow.


I tend to buy a lot online, so I was fairly surprised to see a statistic a few days ago saying that around 85% of purchases in NZ are done in person. I can see some truth to that though: we're heading into the silly season for traffic at the moment, and a lot of that is probably people doing Christmas shopping. I was part of the problem today as I went to four different places to try to find something resembling Christmas tree lights. I failed to find any (don't people want them any more?).

Well I haven’t bought anything for Christmas in 10 years so I’m doing my bit to not be part of the problem!

Sometimes people I know will be stressing over what to buy or will announce with great satisfaction that they are done. I just reply I’ve done all of mine for every year until I die!

So much less stress!

 

[Huntn]

Well I haven’t bought anything for Christmas in 10 years so I’m doing my bit to not be part of the problem!

Sometimes people I know will be stressing over what to buy or will announce with great satisfaction that they are done. I just reply I’ve done all of mine for every year until I die!

So much less stress!

My spouse and I stopped buying Christmas gifts for each other ages ago, as in what’s the point? We are constantly buying what we need, want, and afford thiughout the year. And honestly, if I don’t get an opportunity to specify what I want, it’s likely these days I’ll return it, because it’s not what I wanted. 😐

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Well I haven’t bought anything for Christmas in 10 years so I’m doing my bit to not be part of the problem!

Sometimes people I know will be stressing over what to buy or will announce with great satisfaction that they are done. I just reply I’ve done all of mine for every year until I die!

So much less stress!

I buy gifts through the year to eliminate the financial end of year strain and propensity to use someone else’s money ie: credit and I put those gifts in my safe as to stop prying eyes.

Opting out is not an option for me and I would never make that choice willingly as I love giving 5thoughtful gifts to others.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

My spouse and I stopped buying Christmas gifts for each other ages ago, as in what’s the point? We are constantly buying what we need, want, and afford thiughout the year. And honestly, if I don’t get an opportunity to specify what I want, it’s likely these days I’ll return it, because it’s not what I wanted. 😐

My parents (74 & 81) buy gifts because I think for them it allows them to participate in Christmas with their grand children. For themselves my dad usually gets my mom a piece of jewelry, dark chocolate and flowers - usually red and white roses which symbolize long term love, commitment and passion which I think is important for many women regardless of age and what they might say. As retired people though they focused mostly on shared experiences like going places to bird watch together. My dad is slowing down and I will be helping him (if he needs it) with that trio of gifts he gets for mom. Oh yeah he always gets her a card too. Sometimes a very gushy sentimental card and sometimes a funny one poking at age. We’ll get that too.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My spouse and I stopped buying Christmas gifts for each other ages ago, as in what’s the point? We are constantly buying what we need, want, and afford thiughout the year. And honestly, if I don’t get an opportunity to specify what I want, it’s likely these days I’ll return it, because it’s not what I wanted. 😐

Agreed.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I buy gifts through the year to eliminate the financial end of year strain and propensity to use someone else’s money ie: credit and I put those gifts in my safe as to stop prying eyes.

Opting out is not an option for me and I would never make that choice willingly as I love giving 5thoughtful gifts to others.

We’ve not celebrated (or acknowledged Christmas) in a long time. Really reduces the stress (not that that is the reason).

 

[Apple fanboy]

My parents (74 & 81) buy gifts because I think for them it allows them to participate in Christmas with their grand children. For themselves my dad usually gets my mom a piece of jewelry, dark chocolate and flowers - usually red and white roses which symbolize long term love, commitment and passion which I think is important for many women regardless of age and what they might say. As retired people though they focused mostly on shared experiences like going places to bird watch together. My dad is slowing down and I will be helping him (if he needs it) with that trio of gifts he gets for mom. Oh yeah he always gets her a card too. Sometimes a very gushy sentimental card and sometimes a funny one poking at age. We’ll get that too.

True story. I’ve been married for 27 years and I’ve never bought Mrs AFB flowers. She doesn’t like cut flowers.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

True story. I’ve been married for 27 years and I’ve never bought Mrs AFB flowers. She doesn’t like cut flowers.

My mother (who was a superb gardener and had the proverbial green fingers) also loathed cut flowers as a gift.

As do I, and most of my close female friends

They had to be tended (more work for the recipient), never lasted long, and all too depressingly often represented a stunning lack of imagination (and knowledge of the personal preferences of the recipient) on the part of the person who initially gave the gift.