Shopping frenzy replaced by logic
This past week, we’ve feasted on stuffing, leftover turkey and ... plasma-screen TVs. Ah, the annual avian holocaust that we call Thanksgiving. But the season of Thanksgiving is no longer just a celebration of food, family and gratitude toward our maize-growing native ancestors. It has now extended to include sleep deprivation, shopping bags and campouts in front of Best Buy.
But this year’s Black Friday was different. People who usually purchase on credit bought on debit. Students took out cash in order to set buying limits for themselves. It was even noted that rather than frenzied purchasing, customers seemed to have done more research before shopping this year, scoping out the best deals ahead of time. It appears that one good thing that has come out of the economy’s downturn: We are learning how to spend more wisely.
And the best part of it is that our fiscally faltering status quo hasn’t seemed to negatively affect sales at all. On the contrary, sales increased, and traffic was higher this year. Perhaps this is exactly what the nation needs right now — a healthy bit of selfish materialism to lift the nation out of its financial slump.
So spend away this holiday season, faithful consumers of America. But keep spending smart. Maybe if we combine the two, Santa will give us a flourishing economy for Christmas.