I'm just saying that I can see people getting all worked up into a frenzy over something that's in high demand and hard to get (not that that's an excuse for the behavior, but I can see that causing it), but was there anything really spectacular this year? Not that I saw.

I still think the frenzy is a mob mentality, because it's caused by people buying into the groupthink of "everyone else is getting one, so I must also!"

Not sure if it's due to upbringing or not, but, for example, as a kid if I wanted the "latest and greatest Barbie" for Christmas, my parents would often say, "Santa might have to give that to the Easter Bunny to give to you, because his elves can't make enough of them for everyone right now." And, I was fine with that. I wasn't disappointed or sad.

I'm patient because I was taught to be at a very early age. I was also taught to not follow what everyone else was doing - that being unique and individual is more admirable.

To me, status symbols (like "popular" items) don't reflect who a person is, other than showing that they like to follow trends, and have to be the first to own something, lest they feel judged for not having it.

But, that's just my view on the whole "gotta have it" mess that's common this time of year.

Still not out, though I plan to do so soon.

There was a shooting today at a Toys R Us in Palm Desert. Yes, it's real.

The keep up with the "Jones" mentality scares me sometimes. I take my blessings where I find them and one of my blessings is that Missy will forever have the wishlist of a 4 year old, she doesn't do video games per se, she doesn't care about labels or what her cousins want or have...give her her basic wish list for any gift giving occassion and I have a happy child.

Is there a new "Fondle Me Elmo" out that people just "gotta have"? :rolleyes:

People are effing crazy this time of year. I'm so much closer to becoming a hermit during the month of December. :(

Ok, the shooting was real, but was it a toy gun?

I was making the comment to one of my clients that I very rarely see children in the Coachella Valley, which is why I was surprise today by the location of the Toys R Us shooting.

Well, I did finally make it out this afternoon. Knocked down the majority of my remaining list of people to buy for, and the few gifts remaining, I pretty much know what I'm getting them now.

There's stuff on sale (40% off) in Disneyland.:eek:

I barely noticed it but I heard a castmember mention it as being unusual.

CM's get 40% off for the next 20 days....don't know of any of the general public getting that.