Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Before You Buy
My kids are suddenly aware (thank you, social media) of Black Friday. They wanted to participate in this “great” American tradition. When I denied them, they wanted to know why I was so mean.
I tried logic: “Why would you want to go shopping on such a crowded day? What’s the hurry?” I tried social consciousness: “Macy’s sponsors the Thanksgiving Day parade as a kick-off to the holiday shopping season: Are we just going to go shopping because that’s what big corporate America wants us to do?”
Finally, I told them, “I’m not accepting any wish lists or doing any gift shopping until everybody spends some time weeding.” Weeding is an ongoing activity in our house. Recently, my son sold his Legos, which made me sad, but he hadn’t used them in years, and he was stoked to have the cash. My daughter sold a bunch of books at the farmer’s market and now she says she’s ready to let go of her Barbies. Halleluiah! Making space, making cash—it’s all good.
I’m not nearly as mean as my kids think, and I love them to be happy on Christmas morning. If I’m honest, I love buying them gifts after holding myself in check most of the year, but I want us to be a little more conscious, not just shop because it is a particular day. I also believe that there’s a discipline to keeping an orderly house, and part of that is to not acquire more than you get rid of. It may indeed be better to give than to receive, but in my book, letting go is the best of all.