I had the luxury of staying home on Thanksgiving.
And, staying home again on Black Friday.
I did not have to stand in line or fight the crowds or fight someone else for that bargain that could only be had by standing in line or fighting the crowds of fighting someone else.  We can debate whether stores could have or should have waited one more day to start their Black Friday sales.  And, I know some people shopped on Thanksgiving or got up early on Friday just because they could.  But, I also think some stood in line in the dark and cold because that was the only chance they had to buy that gift.  Not that what they bought would be gone if they didn’t stand in line, but because the $10.00 difference in price made a difference.  It made it possible for them to buy both the gift to give and the food they need.

So much of what I saw and read about the Black Friday crowds seemed like it had a touch of arrogance about it.  It sounded like it was looking down on those who stood in those lines.
But I wonder.
I know some for whom that $10.00 matters.
Who stood in those lines because they didn’t want to have to decide between a gift to give and food to eat.

I had the luxury of staying home on Thanksgiving.
And, staying home again on Black Friday.