Black Friday mania

People go a little crazy on Black Friday. There’s something about getting $50 off a cell phone that turns otherwise rational, courteous people into sale-starved maniacs willing to push, shove and humiliate themselves into a good buy.

I avoid shopping on Black Friday because I just can’t face the crazy crowds, but I also think the day of sales shows just how gift-centered the Christmas season has become.

And to be totally honest, I avoid the Black Friday sales because I know the good prices will only persuade me to buy more gifts for my daughter that she doesn’t really need and that will undoubtedly end up abandoned in the corner within five days.

Like any mom, I have stockpiled gifts throughout the year in closets and in the attic to surprise my daughter on Christmas morning. Sometimes I go overboard and buy more than I should, but I always try to keep it in reason.

Sure, I want my daughter to have a memorable Christmas morning and get a few gifts that she will love, but I don’t want the gift-getting to take over the holiday.

Do you have any tips for keeping Christmas gifts for your little ones within reason? How do you keep the getting of the holiday from taking over the giving and the spiritual reflection?

Will you be hitting the Black Friday sales this year?