If you read my books, you may notice that they all take place in a small town. That’s because, no matter how sophisticated and urbane I might have wanted to be when I was younger, I’m a small-town girl.
And these days I know that for me, that’s a good thing.
There’s just something I love about seeing at least three people I know every time I go to the grocery store. Something comforting about calling a city office with a question and knowing the person at the other end of the line. And something wonderful about the fact that when our son first started driving, I got secret reports from friends around town who recognized his car.
The Thanksgiving weekend, though, reminds me of a time when I probably looked like the quintessential small-town girl, bug-eyed in the big city—the time years ago when I decided to go Black Friday shopping at what I think of as a “destination mall.” You know the kind of mall I mean–the fanciest, biggest one in the whole metropolitan area.
I’d heard horror stories from my dad about the time he and my mom and another couple went to St. Louis on Black Friday. I ignored them. Surely he exaggerated. After all, it wasn’t like he enjoyed shopping when the stores were empty! I loved shopping!
So off I went, driving two hours on the highway and then navigating my Chevy into the fray of traffic near the mall. Facing off against a brigade of moms with strollers attacking the store like an army of tanks. Forging my way into aisles so crowded that the air seemed to throb with all the noise.
Maybe I should have brought a friend, or done some training, or…listened to my dad.
Luckily for me, after a decade or so, retailers invented a new thing called Cyber Monday. For a small-town girl like me, who lives two hours from a major mall and prefers to do her big-city shopping on an uncrowded weekday morning, Cyber Monday is the way to go. I can shop in my jammies and still get the deals!
What about you? Are you one of those brave Black Friday shoppers? Are your Christmas gifts all bought and wrapped?
Personally, as of 8 a.m. this morning, I haven’t even started. But, since I just sent my next book to the editor, I’m taking the day off from writing. By the end of today, I hope to have my shopping done, all ready for the elves to deliver the packages to my door. And when my list is all checked-off, instead of having to drive two hours home, I can curl up with a good book!
And—this is super important to share–speaking of good books, if you haven’t heard, or if perhaps you knew about it but got distracted by pie (which I totally respect), there’s a big book promotion going on right now. It’s so big that I’d call put it in all caps and call it a BOOK BONANZA! More than 50 Christian romance books are all free or 99c! Included in there is one of the books from my Abundance series, Love, Lies, and Homemade Pie for 99c. The big promotion ends TODAY, Cyber Monday, Dec. 2. Just click here to stock up! That way, no matter how you like to shop, you can relax afterward with a great Christian romance! Now that’s a happy ending!
Sally Bayless writes contemporary Christian romance that features compelling characters, real-world problems, and uplifting endings filled with the power of love. She lives in the beautiful hills of Appalachian Ohio and has two grown children. When not working on her next book, she enjoys reading, watching BBC television with her husband, doing Bible studies, kayaking, and shopping for cute shoes. For updates on her writing and a free insider’s guide to her books, subscribe to her newsletter by clicking the newsletter icon below or visiting http://bit.ly/NewsfromSally.
I like to miss the crowds, so I shop very early in the day. It’s fun to shop instore, although the internet comes into play a touch too.
Hi Sally! I enjoyed your story Love, Lies and Homemade Pie. I also prefer shopping at stores, but in the last few years our SW Michigan community lost several key stores – Target, Penny’s, and Carsons. When our sons were home, I did Black Friday shopping. While living in Chicago, one year I braved Black Friday shopping at Woodfield Mall. Now that our sons are grown, I no longer purchase many gifts – mostly experiences. Best wishes.
I am not a shopper…on any day of the year, so my favorite thing to do on Black Friday is not leave the house😁. I worked in retail for years and hated Black Friday even more then…. dealing with those crazed customers!!
Hi Mary! Early in the day is smart! I hope your holiday preparations go well and that the real joy of Christmas shines through!
Hi Renate! I’m so glad you enjoyed my book! Thank you for telling me! Your town sounds like mine, only bigger. We lost our Penney’s and our little branch of a department store and we never even had a Target. And wow, Black Friday at Woodfield…I think you might deserve a badge for that! I do agree–the presents are fun but special memories are the best. May your days be filled with joy as you prepare for Christmas!
Hi Paula Marie! I just bet you squeezed in a little reading this Black Friday! :) And oh my, I do pity the retail workers this time of year. Your comment is a good reminder to me to treat them all with special kindness. Best wishes for a lovely holiday season filled with the joy of Jesus!
I decorated my Christmas tree instead of doing Black Friday shopping.
That sounds perfect! Now you can enjoy it for the whole season!
I don’t dare to go to the stores on Black Friday! Only maybe shop online. Thank you for sharing about the Book Bonanza!
I’m with you, Sally. In fact, I’m getting ready to go Cyber Monday shopping in a few minutes! :) It’s not that I don’t like shopping. I just like to do “efficient” shopping. I know what I want, I want to go in and be out fifteen minutes later. I don’t like to wander, I don’t like to leave empty handed, and I DEFINITELY don’t like to be there for hours. So Cyber shopping is the ticket for me! And I’ll hit the mall later this week when the crowd has gone down! Merry Christmas.
We are kindred spirits, Alexa!
Hi Laurie! I like the way you roll! Merry Christmas!
Small town girl here too and I loathe the vibe of a big city…lol! I went black Friday shopping ONCE with my hubby years ago (left the kids with his sister) and boy howdy…that was enough to cure me. The temptation is nil since, I too, live almost 2 hours from a major mall or Big Box store :-)
Since our kids are grown, I really don’t do much shopping anymore. Amazon gift cards work for them and then they can get what they really want (and no more returning things back to the store). I’d rather spend time with them, cooking a nice meal, maybe watching a Christmas movie (or two) and reminiscing about Christmases past. I think the gift of time is priceless :-)
I do NOT go out of the house on Black Friday!! Even when I was younger, I didn’t. I just wanted the day off work so I could sleep late! When I did get it off, I didn’t go shopping, I’d just stay home and do stuff around the house or read. Now, there’s no way I’m getting into that mess! I’d rather shop early and get it done. I had to run errands today, and traffic was terrible. I have to be out tomorrow, and I’m really not looking forward to it, but it has to be done! My consolation is that as bad as our traffic is, it’s not as bad as Orlando, which is the nearest big city to me! Mine is bad enough!
I don’t do Black Friday shopping. It raises my anxiety level to much. I spent the day playing games with my grandkids. Blessings
That sounds absolutely delightful!
Hi Trixi–Grown kids are SO hard to shop for! I think you have a perfect plan! Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas!
Hi Trudy–I’m glad to know I’m not alone! We will stay home, avoid the traffic, and read! Merry Christmas!
I am really behind. Your Black Friday sales are like our Boxing Day sales when people line up for hours to get in and fight over items. I have been in the City a couple of times on Boxing day but for me it was to go to the Cricket. One year I did go to the sales at about 4 pm mainly due to needing a couple of things and things had died down quite a bit.
I don’t think I could handle the Black Friday sales as I don’t like crowds and I have a major issue with noise. I go to the city and struggle with crowds on a normal day. I live in a small town of around 6,000 so we don’t have huge crowds.
On presents. Most are bought. I have one person I am not sure about yet and I make cookies and such for and do that a bit closer to Christmas. (Need to do some by next Tuesday due to a Christmas breakup where I have to take some food)
It sounds like you have a wonderful plan–peaceful and filled with homemade love! Best wishes for a Merry Christmas!