I have found that going to speciality stores that aren't the usual places and not right at shopping centers is OK. There used to be an A/V store that was great on black friday. I got some great deals there. They didn't open till 7am and through careful route selection I didn't have to go by any large shopping centers. Sadly, they got bought out by Best Buy.

Anyway, now we do the draw names thing for the adults so I only have a few presents to buy.

This whole Xmas thing gets out of hand.

I'm lucky. I only get presents for a few kids others have given birth to, Gregg, my editorial assistant, my bookkeeper, and a couple bottles of nice likker for the guys at my mail place. And getting those people presents makes me happy. And then I give some money to the guy my landlord hires to garden, etc.

I like to buy presents when inspired, not because December 25 is arriving. I just did this surprise/volunteer detective work for Gregg, found three lost Encyclopedia Britannica films Elmore wrote, and bought them all for him on eBay for $9.84, with shipping!

I don't buy so much that the savings would be huge for me. I'd rather shop after work one day (I get out at 2) when the stores are empty.

I'd rather head out to battle rabid chihuahuas than go to anything other than the grocery store on that day.

And a good flashlight(Surefire, Streamlight, Fenix) is always good. I've given a number to people over time, and they've always liked them. Especially women.

As a matter of fact, I was thinking of two people for whom your book would make a good gift.

I was intrigued by the piece of trivia that said humans could be in close relationship with about 150.

I must have a very small neocortex, because I think my number is about .15. I can handle about one person at a time, and only in small doses. I find myself actually getting annoyed when the conversation starts to drag out.

From what you describe of him, Gregg is the same way.

One of the interesting things about being an introvert is that people think it's something bad. Those who don't know any better insist that "it doesn't have to be that way." Or "that can be overcome." Yes, it does and it's not something that needs to be overcome. I think introverts get an undeservedly bad rap while I'm certain extroverts get a good rap they don't deserve. What's so noble about being so dependent on human interaction that you can't live without it? What's so terrible about being someone who finds his own thoughts sufficiently stimulating and would rather not be intruded upon with asinine small talk?

Oh I get all my Christmas presents taken care of on Black Friday. Because I spend the day in my kitchen making cookie dough, fruitcakes, and candies.

I think introverts get an undeservedly bad rap while I'm certain extroverts get a good rap they don't deserve.

Indeed! I've hardly ever come across a loud, obnoxious introvert.

Another book I thought you'd like ...

Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, with Recipes (Hardcover)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580089356/thetraveleslu-20/

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I don't have children, and I will never have any children -- unless somebody drops one off on my porch. >>>

LOL, me either

What do the evolutionists say about that. It's fine to make this a "personal choice," but ask out my BF & I'm doomed to failure. Sweet.

"If you aren't patient, stay home."

On Black Friday? Goddam right. Always have, always will.

It's like a friend who works at WalMart told me: "If possible, avoid coming in on the first week-end of the month."

No problem.

This is what I like to do for Christmas gifts: Get in the kitchen with any combination of my daughter, my cousin, my mother, my sister-in-law, my stepmother, and some of their girl children. Be sure there is plenty of champagne in the refrigerator. Make tamales. Hundreds of them. Some green, some red. Freeze them. My Mexican stepmother taught me to do this.

People will gnaw through their own arms to get to her tamales.

My husband and I spend about $15 for gifts for close family. I usually bake cookies for 'token gifts' that need to be spread far and wide (extended friends and family). I made a felt Christmas tree a few years back, and we hang that on the wall over our marble end table, that is the extent of our holiday decorations. We have all of our shopping done already, and spent less than $400 for everyone, including each other. Luckily this year my husband won $500 on a radio contest, so that paid for the holidays, including Thanksgiving.

I avoid all malls from Halloween until after New Years Day. The stress and difficulty getting around more than offset any savings that you might find. Frankly I've found Overstock.com to be a great place to find nice inexpensive jewelry for the women on our list.

-Julie

Two words: Shop online.

In a related topic: UPS just delivered your book!! Really excited to start reading, but it may have to wait for the train ride home.

Yikes, I hate to shop in any way, shape or form! In person, on line, doesn't matter. I just want to get what I want and get out without being offered the option of something at the checkout (I really hate the online stores that review your shopping cart and when you try to check out offer you a page of stuff saying "based on your choices you might also like these!" No, not really, I just want to check out!)

Pretty much off topic, but for all you fellow introverts I recommend reading The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney. My mom gave me a copy and wow, it changed my life. Lots of public libraries have copies or you can visit her website introvertadvantage.com for a good overview of the info.

Christmas shopping on Black Friday is like a destination/blow out wedding. Things the millionaire next door and the sensible invisible middle class gave up on a long time ago, along with new cars. I have never found a pre Chirstmas special that could not be beat or equaled online usually with free shipping. Of course I have never been a trendy person who absolutely "had" to make sure that my kids has the hottest toy. If it can't be had at a reasonable price "before" Christmas, then my kids had to wait for their birthdays, a week later. :-) Isabel

I've gone out on black friday in the past but not usually unless there was a really good deal on something I really wanted or needed.

Last year I was driving home from my sister's late on thanksgiving night. I drove by one of those outlet malls and the traffic on the freeway was backed up for 2+ miles both directions as the stores were opening at midnight on black friday. This year I won't be out shopping but I will be flying and sadly having to drive through some late afternoon traffic to get home on Friday.

I just bought the DK Space Encyclopedia book you recomended Amy, for my boy. (I hate to admit it, but I got it for a penny (like new) plus shipping!) There are some insane deals out there. We just picked up a 15 piece stainless steel Cuisinart pots\pans set at Macy's for $28.00 that had been reduced from $139.00.

I also ordered your book along with Pink Martini's new album, but it isn't here yet!

"I don't have children, and I will never have any children -- unless somebody drops one off on my porch."

What's your address? I have 2 young boys, 10 and 13. Relatively housebroken, outspoken...

My mother-in-law is a Black Friday junkie. She's one of those people who is waiting in line at 5 AM for the store to open. And most of the time she really doesn't buy very much. I think that to her, it's sort of the equivalent of the survivalist getting dropped off in the desert for a week with nothing but a penknife. If you get through it, you win!

This is the first year my company is giving Black Friday as an actual holiday. I will celebarate it as we do every year.

We sit at home and read the news stories about riots and tramplings, and bask in the schadenfreude.

More and more stores are starting their Black Friday sales early. Good idea - If we can get people their good deals ahead of time, there's less of a crush on the one day.

It's the same mindset as any other "Gotta be there" event - the more they whip it up, the more people fall into the trap.

Aside from a limited handful of truly amazing deals that come close to being worth the trouble (HDTV flatscreens under $300 and three-dollar appliances are the hot ones this year), the rest of the prices aren't all that low. They take a bath on the loss-leaders, knowng full well the "as long as I'm here" reflex will kick in.