Is it just us, or does it seem like there are more and more pre-black friday sales 
than ever before?
These are great in that it help us cross items off our friends and family’s StandardGift list, but just seems to be overkill. Black Friday was always a fun day of hyper competitive shopping, but that seems to be getting eliminated. Pretty soon it will end up like New Years Day college football, a sad shadow of the greatness it once was.
For those of us that vividly remember the 20th century, the shopping landscape sure is quite different. If the stores were out, you were just out of luck. Sure there was mail order, but that was slow, if you weren’t organized, that was not going to be
a viable option.
Getting towards the back half of the 90s things started to changed. The dot com bubble began to swell, and even after the burst, many companies like Amazon continued on. It was like using the mail order catalog, but so much easier. Better pictures, better description, options to read reviews and get questions answers quickly. Then you could place your order and Santa’s sack could land right on your doorstep, pre-wrapped for a few extra dollars even.
There is no arguing of the convenience. But what happens when the convenience fails? There’s been several years now that companies like Amazon broke the shipping grid. Packages delayed, and for all us last minute shoppers, the prime option was not going to provide salvation.
So what about the stores? There are still crowds, but finding items becomes hard. Stores are constantly “cutting inventory” to reduce cost. This seems incredibly wrong to me, since people leave without buying. The pricing is usually competitive, so this tells me they do not know their customers and do not know how to properly stock their stores.
This writer though still prefers the stores. I love doing my shopping on Christmas Eve. I find enjoyment in the crowds, the panic in the air, the pressure. I can get away with this as the family has been using StandardGift for the majority of the 21st century. I have a list of ideas for all. I can load the list at checkout to see if anyone has marked it off as purchased, keeping it a coordinate effort and cutting down on the duplicates. Take the empowerment and give yourself the edge this Black Friday and Christmas Eve
That great time of year is almost upon us. The shopping madness. While we baste our turkeys we are all trying to devise our shopping strategy. What am I getting for them? What if someone else gets it first? Oh man, I had a great idea, but this store is sold out, hope I don’t forget while checking the other store!
This is the kind of madness that StandardGift can help tame. Share the list across family and friends. They can mark off items, without spoiling the surprise! Find that great gift that’s not on the list? Go ahead and add it to their list, the list owner will never see it. There is also an idea pad, so if the timing is wrong, but you don’t want to forget, add it there!
Don’t go walking into Black Friday Weekend blind! Get everyone to sign up now for the always free StandardGift!!
StandardGift is proud to be advertising in Ballet Forte’s program! Sneak preview of the Ad below, but more importantly, check out https://www.balletforte.org
From their site:
The BalletForte Guild is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers who donate their time and expertise towards various fund raising events, which in turn, provide social and financial support for BalletForte, the premier, pre-professional ballet company of Fort Bend County.
If you are in or traveling to the Houston, Texas area, be sure to check them out!
One of the greatest things as a kid was getting the Toys “R” Us catalog and writing a letter to Santa. Just reading the catalog was hours of fun and enjoyment!
But alas, all things must come to an end. Though there is the rumor of the “R” going phoenix and rising from the ashes. Signs of a resurrection are popping up in the form of Geoffrey’s Toy Box at Kroger, but the magic is just not there. Amazon has announced a catalog, hopefully we’ll be on the recipient list as the curiosity does exist to read it, the hopes of it being the same are low.
Enough with the doom and gloom though! The fun of writing to Santa is still alive and well! To help Santa’s elves out, StandardGift is the always free wish list manager to help collaborate with all the elves out there! The question is now, where are you going to find your inspiration!
The wrapping paper has been shredded, the bows tossed about, and amidst the carnage is the gifts. Most are great, well thought out presents that were wrapped and given with love. However, even the greatest intention with comes the inevitable duplicate gifts. The blender is great! Margaritas for all! But, 4 blenders? It’s a bit much……..
The other factor is the clothes. The sweater is great, but how many holidays goodies did you think I ate?
Then the lines, and gift receipts to get everything exchange. Oh the joys!
The problem isn’t the thought, or the love, it’s the communication, the sharing of what you would like, the sharing among friends and family of what they purchased for you, and sharing of general information.
StandardGift strives to make that sharing easy. The ability to let other know what you would like, the ability for friends and family to mark off what they purchased, and setting general information as for sizes, gift cards, and what not to buy.
StandardGift, standardize the giving. Always free.
