The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va., Amanda Deprospero column: Black Friday has become a necessity

Nov 23, 2008 (The Dominion Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- SHLD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- I'VE HAD MY FAIR SHARE of stupid ideas in my lifetime.

Like the time I thought I could make some extra money by painting rocks and trying to sell them off my parent's back porch. I never was very artistic.

Or the time I tried to catch a pet bird by putting some bird seed under a box held up by a stick with a rope tied to it. I got the idea from my mom who told me she used to catch kittens that way.

Or take the time I tried to make a new recipe by tearing up a slice of bread and throwing it in a bowl with some cereal and milk. Honestly, I think my grandmother's exact response was "Ewww."

None of those worked out well, as you can probably tell.

And, so, here I am again, with another stupid idea, although the only difference is that this time I realize what I'm planning to do is stupid. In fact, for someone like me, it's downright ludicrous. However, it's become a necessity.

You see, usually I start Christmas shopping back in September (I know, I know, some of you think I'm crazy), and by the time Christmas rolls around, I'm able to take time to relax and enjoy the holiday. Not to mention how much money I save by shopping early and over a period of a couple months.

The only problem is, this year, it didn't turn out that way. Somewhere along the way, I lost track of time and the months got away from me. All of a sudden it's late November, and I'm confronted with the fact that I have no gifts and am seriously strapped for cash.

That's where the stupid idea comes in. Despite the fact that I'm about as far from an early bird as you can get, I hate crowds and waiting in line is torture, I've decided to immerse myself in the shopping storm brewing this Friday. That's right, Black Friday, here I come.

Usually, I ignore the hype that is the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza, still stuffed too full of turkey and mashed potatoes and not wanting to roll out of bed. Even if I do manage to get up and go to the store at all Black Friday, it's only for a darn good reason.

Last year, I headed to Sears early to get two tools for my husband, an air compressor and a new drill. Of course, by the time I got to the store, there were no shopping carts left and store clerks were busy with other customers, so I ended up purchasing the items and carrying the heavy boxes out of the store by myself. I ended up waddling around the parking lot with the two unwieldy boxes for longer than necessary, because I was too sleepy to remember where I had parked. All the while mumbling, "Darn Jason better appreciate this on Christmas morning" and "An air compressor?! Why?! What on Earth does he need an air compressor for?!" (My arms hurt for a couple days after that, and I actually had to lie to my husband and tell him I wasn't sure why I was sore, so I wouldn't give away what his gifts were.)

This year, I'm more prepared. I actually took the day off from work, so that once I finish searching the store for one, tiny item, maneuvering through throngs of people and waiting in line, I can stumble back to bed and forget Christmas shopping even exists. I've also made a thorough Christmas list and am prepared to snatch up the sale papers looking for the best deal and create a plan of action.

I'm hoping it won't be that stupid of an idea after all, but I'm not holding my breath. Wish me luck.

AMANDA DEPROSPERO is a Lifestyles writer/copy editor for The Dominion Post. E-mail: adeprospero@dominionpost.com.

To see more of The Dominion Post or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dominionpost.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index