Down the Bog

We went grocery shopping today and I found myself musing at all of the halloween candy (sweets) that were still piled high but now selling at half-price. Halloween is a big thing in North America and as early as July the shops are full of scary decororations and candy that’s sold to give away on the doorstep to “trick or treaters” come October 31st. But inevitably it’s not all sold. So, of course when is it the best time to buy halloween stuff? Straight after halloween when it’s half-price!

It’s the same at Christmas too though. Everyone rushes around buying all of their festive gifts with the full knowledge that a good many stores will be having a new year sale two days after Christmas with all those same gift ideas knocked down in price. So when is it best to buy Christmas gifts? We all know the answer.

This time of year does concern me a bit though.I spent around ten years working in retail for a clothing company and the Christmas trade was our busiest time. We’d take a lot of money during December but I could also see just what a strain it seemed to place on people in first finding the money and second knowing what to actually buy. How many gifts are purchased that never get used? I’d love to know the percentage and for sure some of those gifts were bought by people who couldn’t really afford it but had to stretch their finances to manage the Christmas shopping.

And then if that wasn’t bad enough then everything gets reduced after the big day when everybody is already in debt. Am I sounding too miserable? Do I sound like Scrooge?

I don’t mean to. It can be a nice time of year and a great time for families and friends to get together and share gifts. But it’s an even nicer time if everyone manages to spend within their means and isn’t counting the cost for the next twelve months.

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