An annual tradition has also become our society’s ugliest ritual.  Millions wake up in the wee hours after Thanksgiving or camp out the night before to be the first in line to get the best deals on the season’s greatest gifts.  It’s almost ironic that the kickoff to the season of giving is full of selfishness and greed.

Being the person behind the counter gives me some insight.  I can tell you from experience that the deals you hear about aren’t all that great.  The “great” coupons hardly apply to anything and only during certain hours.  Think about it: stores want to push their big Christmas stock so that they have less to count at New Year’s inventory. So…chances are those prices will get lower as it gets closer to Christmas.

So far, I’ve already heard about a woman getting trampled at a Toys R Us.  It astounds me how you can always count on a crazy story about someone getting seriously injured or about a riot at a toy store.  How can someone be so desperate to get something at a slightly lower price that they are willing to seriously hurt a complete stranger? It’s as if people lose all of their common sense and decency to the inevitable allure of cheap goods.

Everyone gets so cranky on Black Friday. You would think that people would know what to be in for: long lines, headaches, and the mess that is the “morning special.”  Everyone needs to remember not to take out your frustrations on the staff. Most of the time, sales associates can do little about the fact that the store ran out of what you want or the fact that you missed the doorbuster deal because the line at the previous store was too long.  We are just trying to get through the holidays just like you.

To those who think that you are the most important people on Earth, that never has to wait or will throw a fit if the morning specials have expired, and those who trash the store in their shopping frenzy, you should be ashamed.  If you cut in line ahead of people that have been there for hours, you are an ass.  If you didn’t make it in time for the deals, then that’s your fault.  People who brag about getting away with cutting in line or taking an item out of someone’s cart or hands are disgusting. You seriously need to step back and ask yourself, “What the hell am I doing?”

This season is about giving and Black Friday casts a shadow upon this idea. Instead of fighting your way through a crowd of recession and holiday stressed people that haven’t had their coffee, consider this: on Christmas morning, it’s not about how much you spent or how long you waited in line, it’s about bringing joy to someone and making their holiday special. I was watching the news the other day and I heard a lady proudly say, “I got all of my family gift certificates.  I did all my Christmas shopping online and I didn’t even have to leave the house!” I thought, “Way to put forth the least possible effort for the people you love.”  All you need to give the perfect gift and the perfect holiday is to put a little more thought into it than how much it costs. It should be something that means something; an inside joke, a family heirloom, something you made, or (here’s an idea) something they actually need.

The most important thing to remember is that this should be a season to enjoy not to dread, so don’t make it that way for yourself or others.

Author: Crissy Zamarron