Technology and the Holiday Shops

No sooner than did the ghost and goblins of Halloween get back to their homes to feast on their newly acquired sugar collection that Sleigh Bells start ringing. That's right the big push of the last holidays are upon us and wow has technology changed the ways we celebrate these times.

The holiday's seem to require 3 important ingredients. Shopping, Food, and Family. First let me start off by saying that I have never, ever participated in the Black Friday Madness. I have witnessed it but I haven't gotten up at 3am to make it to a store that was opening 5am so I could buy a $50 Blue-ray player for $15. I will admit to looking through the the black Friday ad's and even looking them up online ahead of schedule. In fact there is a website you can visit that is fully dedicated to Black Friday Ads. https://blackfriday.com post not just the ads for Friday's event but also the Toy books that retailers put out and other deal specific items, extra Kohls cash anyone?

While a lot of people still trek out on that Friday more people are opting out and staying in. They are staying in for Cyber Monday. The first Monday after Thanksgiving is now dedicated to online shopping bonanza of epic proportions. Many of your favorite retail store put on extra sales this day but the online retail giants make there play for your holiday cash. Amazon being one of the biggest names in online shopping makes Cyber Monday a big big BIG event. Certain deals highlighted and change hour after hour. It's enough to make even the most seasoned shopper spin around with glee.

Smack in the middle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday now known as Small Business Saturday. A day in the weekend where your local small business owners hope to attract and entice you. This can be done in  a physical location or through a website as well. Just a quick search using the “shop local” option on Etsy.com allows me to see what some of our own neighbors have brilliantly made themselves. 

When all your shopping is done, the focus goes back on the two most important parts of the holidays, food and family! It seems like a no brainer that your going to need food. Food that you can make while you host the holiday at your home, or something a little easier to transport as you go through the woods to Grandmother's house. If you missed my article on technology in the kitchen you can find it here.

Then there’s family. It suppose to be the most important ingredient in the holiday recipe. While technology can help it can also hinder. Sure, through the power of Skype or FaceTime you can video chat with your niece or nephew who is serving overseas. However, is will also keep your 14 year old niece or daughter from looking up the entire time you're at Aunt Kathy's. 

So, a holiday challenge for you. Can you and yours set aside technology for the holiday gathering? Little to no smartphone or tablets while you are surrounded with extended family. No Facebooking, no tweets to be sent, and no text to be read. Some may find this hardly a challenge at all while others will struggle not to pick up their phone when there is lag in a conversation. Putting the technology aside might be tough at first, but the end result will be lifetime memories with family and friends!