Christmas Shopping

Kind of why Im surprised the US is still in business, whats the use of having a 1/3 of your population too poor to buy shit

 

Well I braved the crowds and got a few things I wanted. I ordered something from amazon too. I am all shopped out now...

 

That's what credit cards are for... It's good for business, and banks, and the courts... prisons, etc.

 

Same here, doesn't matter if its a government job or not. Employer just have to pay up. USA might be one of the exceptions in the western world.

 

Paying overtime here is required by law, but a lot of companies choose not to obey the law. Employees are afraid to report them.

 

Don't know how people can face the shops on Boxing day. The number of people around is too much for me. The sales haven't looked too good this year either.

 

Like someone said, stores are expecting you in the day after. They don't really feel like cutting prices and moving out inventory yet. The day after is another sales gimmick.

 

My boyfriend is the same way, not great in crowds. He came with me yesterday because he had to buy a few late christmas presents, but it took a lot of convincing and when we got there he sort of froze up and couldnt go into any stores. I ended up having to leave him in the chapters across the street which was nice and quiet. He did find a couple of gifts while he was in there at least. I picked a few things out for him while I was shopping and he bought them all in the last 15 minutes that the stores were open before we went home.

Also, I never go early, it's always too crazy then. I went about 2 hours before the stores closed. Most of the die had shoppers are leaving by that time. A lot of things are gone by then, but I don't mind taking a chance. The things I really wanted I ordered online.

 

Yeah, the last couple of years were good and I managed to get a few things I wanted online. Had a look this year, but can't find much I would want.
The morning would be the worst time I guess. Even if I really wanted something, I wouldn't be able to go.

 

I don't mind crowds if there is something I want, but I don't think I could handle going in the morning either.

 

This year I started shopping in September for my niece. She's almost 3 so it was plastic food toys, books, stickers, a baby doll, a tiny tote bag with a Frozen themed "flip phone" and plastic keys, a backpack, a little Elmo shirt and matching tutu, and some Frozen house shoes.

I bought a necklace for my mom, a necklace for my grandma (that has a matching granddaughter necklace for me), some cheap Starbucks Christmas mugs for my sister-in-law and her boyfriend (and she was complaining on Christmas eve about not having Christmas themed mugs, haha, such luck!), a huge picture frame for my in-laws, and one of those desktop melting clocks for my dad.

I made presents also, so I bought the materials for them. I made year-round personalized wreaths for my parents, my in-laws, and my aunt and uncle, a decoupaged cross on a decoupaged plaque for my grandma, and a little personalized wall hanging for my sister-in-law's house.

I was ready for Christmas so much earlier this year than previous years. I usually always make crafts for the adults and try to buy them something small on the side. My niece is easy to buy for, no one else really is.

 

monday is tomarrow so i ought to be getting to sleep early tonight so i can take advantage of the stores tomarrow and over the rest of the week. i seriously need to get myself a new winter coat. i mean the one i have is still in reasonably good shape and warm and all, but its almost old enough to start middle school and needs and oil change. my wife bought it for me at least three years before she died and she's been gone more then five years now.
might get some more tools for my model building. i'll check out sears and harbour freight. i've already got a dremel from home depot they had for 50 bux.

(that mini rotory tool they had at harbour freight for ten bux, actually does work, just, as expected, really wimpy when it comes to umph though)

 

I hosted the lunch...which was my gift to all.
And you betcha I damn well expected presents from all invited. And now my fridge is super packed with chocolates.

 

i've heard of very few places that don't pay overtime, it's just that most places don't pay overtime wages for working normal hours on memorial day.