I read an article today that proclaimed Black Friday as The new, best, American holiday. I shook my head in disbelief and disappointment. Black Friday? Really?

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, what with this being the land of the freebie and the home of the bargain hunter.

I went out for Black Friday last year for the first time. That's right. I too wanted six dollar DVD's, and fifteen dollar seasons. I couldn't believe my eyes as we (cause you know I wasn't going by my little ole self!) drove through the main shopping drag. There were cars and lines and people everywhere. I swear I saw one line that had to be over a quarter-mile long! Quite frankly, I'm amazed I escaped.

But I digress.

How did this happen? When did this happen?

How have we become so obsessed with consumerism, with materialism, that Black Friday is the new American holiday? When did we become convinced that the road to happiness lay through Wal-Mart?

Honestly, I make a lot of homemade gifts for people for Christmas, and I have to tell you, no store-bought gift has ever garnered the emotional reaction that my homemade gifts have. So why the rush to buy, buy, buy?

I just don't understand it.