Cathy Commiserations by Cathy Guisewite for November 13, 2021

That’s a fact! I saw a Black Friday in October; the merchants wanted to make it easier for consumers, HAH!

Oh, that’s nothing. At mine, we already have Black Weeks since October.

Wednesday is sundae at Carvel.

ACCKKKK!!!!!!

Better heed the early sales! Shoppers may get more desperate as we get closer to gift giving, and there may be slim pickings.

If I were able to shop I’d start now due to the current debacle with the shipping industry. As I have no funds to pay for anything but my living space (another current debacle) it will be e-cards and homemade goodies….

The stores will do anything to get your money! I don’t need any more stuff! Could use some money to pay bills though.

Years ago, I started making cookies and other treats as gifts for my aunts, and friends who didn’t really want “gifts” (I don’t really want “stuff” either!). Every year, I make the same 7 or 8 varieties of cookies, but I add something different each year as well. Over the years, I’ve learned who prefers which flavor of cookies, so I do try to personalize it a bit as well. The treats are well-liked, and I love making them. Win-win! The only downside is that there usually aren’t enough leftover for me to enjoy :D

In Mexico, Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated. But since many things gringo eventually become popular here, the stores have big sales the weekend before the Anniversary of the Mexican revolution (November 20) to “celebrate” what is called “Buen fin” meaning “Good Weekend”. Since I don’t join in extensive Christmas gift-giving, I don’t join in this annual rush to go shopping, though sometimes I get discounts I wasn’t counting on, like on the tube of toothpaste I bought yesterday.

Just out: a new Cathy book based on last years “Cathy Commiserations” strips: “SCENES FROM ISOLATION” by Cathy G. Available on amazon or wherever you buy books from these days!

I plan to spend this Black Friday the same way I usually do—sleeping later and avoiding the stores at all costs …

I don’t even think about Christmas until around Thanksgiving week. But I am going to start buying cards around that time. I will basically be doing what I did last year for presents, going to the Downtown Holiday Market near the Museum of American Art/National Portrait Gallery for presents. I will also be looking in local stores for presents. I will also be celebrating my family and friends and the fact that we have survived whatever the viral gods have thrown us.

Coming soon: “Black November”.