The commercialism is making me sick!!

I'm not going shopping on Black Friday this year. I've done it in the past.. but this year I'm getting angry at the commercialism of the holidays.

Hubby and I went to Home Depot today to buy some stuff to fix up our kitchen.. and their aisles are all blocked with Black Friday displays that are covered in brown paper so you can't see them.

Then we went to Walmart. I saw a few things I thought were cute, but I'm broke right now. I decided maybe I'd put these things on layaway so I could pick them up when I had more money. Well they don't let you put things on layaway unless they cost more than $15, and they have to be toys, electronics, or appliances. So I couldn't buy a bed set and put it on layaway even though in total the bedset would be like $50. Crazy!

I'm hearing ads on the radio that stores are opening Thanksgiving night to start their Black Friday sales. The poor employees can't even get Thanksgiving off!! And we're expected to leave after having our meal and stand in a ridiculous line just for a few items so our kids can feel spoiled rotten?

Ugh!!

To make matters worse, I'm broke this year. I'd love nothing more than to give into my greedy side and get my kids all the expensive toys and gadgets they want for Christmas. I did it last year, and almost every year before that too.. no matter how much it hurt us financially.

But this year I'm thinking.. what is the point in all that?

When my children are a little older I'm going to completely cancel Christmas in my home. I won't exchange gifts.. I don't need a holiday to exchange gifts. I don't want to feed into the commercialism.

I wish I could start now because I am not sure Christmas will be affordable in my home this year..

But my biggest problem is that my children won't understand and will be very disappointed. I could probably get away with it with the older 3.. but my younger 2 are 4 and 6.. they just don't get it yet. They still think Santa brings their toys, and won't understand that Santa is just broke this year.