Ugh.

I have worked retail for a long time. I avoid the mall, except for work, from Black Friday until January 15th.

While it is a big day for sales, it's totally not worth it. I understand if people are really into making it an event or whatever (like the State Fair or Renaissance Festival or any other thing where you go and fight with crowds all day) but for the shopping itself it kind of sucks. It's not worth the long lines and the fisticuffs over parking spaces.

Additionally, all the employees are busy and frazzled and tired, and the customer service sucks.

I'm allll about shopping early (October) or making homemade gifts.

But hey.... whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.