Christmas shopping is in full swing, I suppose, but I’ve always enjoyed waiting until the week or so before Christmas to do mine. Of course, I now do much of my shopping online, and that must be done early enough to allow for shipping. But actually going to stores ~ I think that’s much more fun in mid-December, when it actually feels like Christmas. It's more exciting closer to the date...
As for "Black Friday"... For me, the day after Thanksgiving is for relaxing with family, watching movies, eating turkey sandwiches and finishing off those pies. My sisters-in-law sometimes go with each other and their daughters to the mall at 5:00 am, and have a big time, but you couldn’t pay me to go shopping that day! I do spend time online on "Cyber Monday"! Online shopping is the way to go for me, if I'm going to shop early.
I would love Christmas just as much without any shopping or presents at all. Of course I will give and receive gifts ~ they are a way to express love and appreciation and friendship, a way to share joy and generosity, and they are so much fun to wrap.
But really if I have beautiful Christmas music and a holly wreath and my mother’s nativity crèche set up on the piano, and most of all, my family around me, I will be joyful and more than content.
Oh yes, and the Christmas tree. And maybe some cookies....