Joy.

Does anyone actually *like* Black Friday? 

Fighting other shoppers in hot, overcrowded stores (at o' dark thirty in the morning) for items that have a 'Made in China' stamp on the bottom. No? I didn't think so... And, if it makes you feel any better, neither do I. I'm 'the careful shopper.' I research things, take my time, look at pictures. I bookmark special items that I think will mean something to my intended recipients, and when I give away my oh-so-carefully wrapped gifts, I wait for the expression of true *JOY* to shine through my loved ones' eyes. 

I don't know about you, but I will search until I find the 'perfect' gift for my special someones. YOU know the feeling... you've felt it before. You once mentioned that you would like to have or find a very particular thing. It may be expensive. It may cost very little. But someone else was listening, perhaps closer than you thought. They began their search ~ the entire time he or she has an image of your long-anticipated reaction in his or her head. There is a deep desire to see it again. And so... one day, you receive a box, perhaps it's small enough to fit inside an envelope. Maybe it's for a holiday. Most likely it's just for you, and the holiday is simply an excuse to see the *joy* again. Whatever it is, it leaks through your eyes, pours out through your heart, and gives life to another person's soul.

Truth be told, I do all of my honest-to-goodness shopping online. Yes, I even buy clothes, and even *gasp*(for the ladies) shoes via the internet. I do this for one reason. I buy all of my gifts handmade, unless I am strictly asked to do otherwise. I have my reasons, as I'm sure all of those Black Friday shoppers at o' dark thirty do, too. Basically, handmade gifts are the best ones. When you get one, it is carefully designed, packaged, and delivered. It was made with *joy* by another human being, not a machine in a factory. I really believe that the sincerity an artist or crafter (aren't they so often the same thing?) puts into his or her work, is what brings forth the *joy* of gift-giving, as we know it. It's the completion of the illusion. The fulfillment of a fantasy, the comfort we can give to others that someone really was listening all along...

Here's a video created by the fabulous people at Etsy, which illustrates my point perfectly. When you're finished watching, please scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you'll find a month-long coupon code to use in my Etsy shop. Enjoy...

I hope you liked it... I know I did! And now, for your shopping pleasure... a holiday code: Please enter HOLIDAZE2010 in your Etsy shopping cart and receive a full 25% off of your ENTIRE PURCHASE, now through December 31st. Just in case you got you got some slippers, an factory fresh ugly sweater, and a check, you can still get what you would like from me after the holiday season is over. Yay!!! I won't tell, if you don't. Haha. 

OH, and please *do* keep your eyes peeled for some exciting new creations by *yours truly* in the coming weeks, as well. How exciting! Now go forth, and shop with *joy...*

xoxo