Wal-Mart worker dies in Black Friday stampede

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

This thread has me thinking of my childhood. I wasn't one of those kids that got gifts and trinkets during the year. There was no money for that. I remember taking a blank notepad (my mom was/is a teacher) and running around outside like I was Penny from Inspector Gadget. We didn't have cable any time when I was growing up. We got a VCR as a gift when I was 15 or so.

At Christmas time and birthdays, my parents would have my brother and me give them a list of the things we really wanted in order of importance. My parents would then go down the list from the top and figure out which ONE thing they could afford to get that we really wanted.

I was listening to Michael Baisden the other day and they were talking about Black Friday, Christmas and the economy. He was telling parents to give their kids air for Christmas. LOL. One woman came on and was explaining how she was going to tell her kids that money's tight and they might not get everything they want. Then she said something about how they "get things throughout the year" so they have nothing to complain about.

My family had money but we were taught early on that having money doesn't mean that the money is to be spent in excess. Happiness isn't contingent upon buying STUFF. So if there was a family change of some sort, we wouldn't blink because we didn't NEED gifts. We loved dancing and singing to Christmas records (David Frost and Billy Taylor/The Temptations Christmas...don't hate ) and hanging out around the fireplace.

Decades later, I love that my parents did that. And now my family only gives Christmas gifts for the grandkids/nieces and nephews who are 5-14 years of age. No grown folk expect Christmas gifts, but if folks give it is completely up to them. As my nieces and nephews get older, they will also be taught to enjoy themselves without being obsessed with what's under the tree. They eventually need to learn that mystical Santa isn't giving these gifts--hard working family members are and sometimes hard working family members have more important things to invest their money in.

For all the broke ass people out there, whomever you are, regardless of why you're broke and whatever broke means to YOU: Be forward thinking. And if you have children, think of what you are teaching your children about money and life (i.e. happiness is contingent upon buying STUFF and NOT buying STUFF means that you're miserable and don't understand how to enjoy life.).

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

My family had money but we were taught early on that having money doesn't mean that the money is to be spent in excess. Happiness isn't contingent upon buying STUFF. So if there was a family change of some sort, we wouldn't blink because we didn't NEED gifts. We loved dancing and singing to Christmas records (David Frost and Billy Taylor/The Temptations Christmas...don't hate ) and hanging out around the fireplace.

Decades later, I love that my parents did that. And now my family only gives Christmas gifts for the grandkids/nieces and nephews who are 5-14 years of age. No grown folk expect Christmas gifts, but if folks give it is completely up to them. As my nieces and nephews get older, they will also be taught to enjoy themselves without being obsessed with what's under the tree. They eventually need to learn that mystical Santa isn't giving these gifts--hard working family members are and sometimes hard working family members have more important things to invest their money in.

For all the broke ass people out there, whomever you are, regardless of why you're broke and whatever broke means to YOU: Be forward thinking. And if you have children, think of what you are teaching your children about money and life (i.e. happiness is contingent upon buying STUFF and NOT buying STUFF means that you're miserable and don't understand how to enjoy life.).

My husband and I have talked about how we're going to deal with Santa Claus and commercialized Christmas. While we're not opposed to parents telling their children about Santa (because imagination is certainly important), we'll instead focus on the aspects of Christmas that are directly related to our faith. For one thing, we're going to continue some of the traditions from our own families (including the annual telling of a story my father wrote as a gift to my mother called "Gifts of the Magi" - similar name but completely different story from O. Henry's). But, we're also going to be creating traditions of our own including something - which hasn't been decided upon yet - related to Saint Nicholas of Myra. One thing I would really like to do is to have my future children select clothes and toys of their own that they'd like to give to children who are less fortunate. I've always found that giving gifts is so much more fulfilling than receiving them.

[DrPhil]

Not to take away from the worker who was trampled, , but this is interesting.

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

My husband and I have talked about how we're going to deal with Santa Claus and commercialized Christmas. While we're not opposed to parents telling their children about Santa (because imagination is certainly important), we'll instead focus on the aspects of Christmas that are directly related to our faith. For one thing, we're going to continue some of the traditions from our own families (including the annual telling of a story my father wrote as a gift to my mother called "Gifts of the Magi" - similar name but completely different story from O. Henry's). But, we're also going to be creating traditions of our own including something - which hasn't been decided upon yet - related to Saint Nicholas of Myra. One thing I would really like to do is to have my future children select clothes and toys of their own that they'd like to give to children who are less fortunate. I've always found that giving gifts is so much more fulfilling than receiving them.

Santa Claus stopped being cute for me around the age of 9 or 10. I think I caught my parents and older brothers removing gifts from the closet so I knew there was no Santa. Then my parents started giving us money and allowing us to shop for our own gifts--mostly clothes for school and a couple of video games. So we knew that Santa wasn't doing that. More and more the focus became less on gifts and more on spirituality and family. And we had FUN!

Anywho, it's not cute to be 13 and think there is a Santa. That goes beyond imagination. Kids need to learn that they need not be thanking Santa for anything, unless they know that Santa is the dynamic duo of God's blessings and their family's love and generosity.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Not to take away from the worker who was trampled, , but this is interesting.



Santa Claus stopped being cute for me around the age of 9 or 10. I think I caught my parents and older brothers removing gifts from the closet so I knew there was no Santa. Then my parents started giving us money and allowing us to shop for our own gifts--mostly clothes for school and a couple of video games. So we knew that Santa wasn't doing that. More and more the focus became less on gifts and more on spirituality and family. And we had FUN!

Anywho, it's not cute to be 13 and think there is a Santa. That goes beyond imagination. Kids need to learn that they need not be thanking Santa for anything, unless they know that Santa is the dynamic duo of God's blessings and their family's love and generosity.

I think I was 6 or 7, around first grade age, when I realized it, although I had earlier suspicions. There's a Judy Blume book, "Fudge-A-Mania" that reveals that there is no Santa Clause. I went into the kitchen, where my parents were sitting, and announced loudly that I knew the truth. We never had big Christmases, so it didn't really shake my foundation or anything like that.

[WarEagle07]

I admit, I am one of the crazies who start shopping at midnight on Black Friday and this is why.....
Our local outlet mall opens at midnight on this day and most of the stores have amazing sales. I use this opportunity to purchase necessities mostly and a few gifts. Here is an example of what I got this year:

18/10 Oneida Stainless Steel Flatware service for 4 $7.00
(originally $60, on sale for $20, 50% for shopping at midnight, another 20% or so for spending over $50)

Oneida stoneware place settings for 4 $5

9 pc anodized aluminum cookware set $35

7 pc. bakeware set $7

Mens Slacks $8.50 originally $115
(on sale, then 50% off, then 40% off again, and then an extra percent off for shopping at midnight.)

Polo Ralph Lauren Chino's $24

Lacoste sweater $13

This is why I join the Midnight Madness crowd, however I have never waited in line for a store to open or rushed to get a particular item. I browse and find amazing deals on random items that we can use. So I am on my way to helping my college students set up their apartments at a fraction of the cost it would otherwise be.

I am deeply saddened by this event in New York and am dumbfounded that people did not stop to help the Wal Mart empolyee. My condolences go out to his family, friends and coworkers.