We need to put the brakes on this shopping trend

Joe Schueller

November 28, 2013 | personal

This piece originally appeared in the Des Moines Register, the Iowa City Press-Citizen, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and the Telegraph Herald.

It’s the greatest time of year again. Temperatures have dropped, the leaves have fallen, and we’ve had our first significant snowfall of the season. Thanksgiving festivities are upon us, and Christmas is right around the corner.

Along with these changes comes the holiday shopping season. In recent decades, America has had a strong tradition of retail splurging and extensive gift-giving. Billions are spent every year on clothes, toys, electronics and more — all for that marvelous result under the tree every Christmas morning.

We cherish every moment, despite the hassle that comes with it. But for some, there’s a disturbing trend emerging in the extravaganza of Black Friday sales and door­buster deals. I’m one of them.