Home Shopping (History and Warning)

Ordering from the Sears Catalog, 1940 (LOC).

 
It used to be that every home had a Sears Roebuck Catalog.  This was a large book containing every kind of item you could possibly need.  It was a published mercantile for the home.   We would fill out order forms and mail in our order; Then eagerly wait for the postal delivery!   We children were often seen with the catalog, dreaming about the clothes, toys, and decorations we wanted.

Years later, they stopped publishing.  New ways of shopping were coming into fashion, and perhaps mothers at home were becoming more mobile - more able to go out to the stores. Mass shopping, for fun and recreation, was gaining popularity.   One of the saddest days in American family history, was the day Sears stopped printing their catalog. 

In the late 1980's cable television started appearing in homes.  This also brought a home shopping channel.  We were able to sit under constant sales pitches, and put under pressure, to order within the next 5 minutes or the item would be "gone."   Many bought jewelry, decorations and clothing through the telephone.  The panic of the ending sale played with the emotions and made us feel like we had to have it now.  . . This was the beginning of brainwashing (or brain-training) to turn the culture into a shopping- focused society, rather than a home- and- family focused society. Prudence, diligence, patience and hard work were being slowly eroded from our characters.

Today, we have Internet sales, and online shopping options.  This is certainly helpful for those who are generally homebound, or unable to get out much.  But we are still seeing the "buy now," and the "sale ending tonight" pressure that we never saw in the old Sears Catalog.  If we are not aware of these sales gimmicks, and are not armed with knowledge to fight off the fear of not "getting that sale price,"  we will be sucked into the lure of shopping for recreation; buying things we don't need, and of shopping without hesitation or prudence. 

Shopping from the comfort of one's home, with seed catalogs and Lehman's catalogs, while gathered around the kitchen table, are good ways of slowing down the spending process.  We may dream over the items, plan what we will do with them, and carefully come up with a wise shopping decision.  This is one way to counteract the consumer craze that has taken over our nation.

Blessings
Mrs. White


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Marriage - When Groceries are the Presents

When I do the grocery shopping, I always buy a few special items for Mr. White. Perhaps it is the ingredients for beef stew.  Or, maybe it is a brownie mix. I like to find his favorite things and make them for him at home. He greatly appreciates my efforts.

Of course, I must remember the basics, like coffee and sugar and bread. If we run out of those items, I am slacking on my job.  (gentle smiles)  But for me to buy those special items, the ones that take extra effort from me, and are bought economically. . . are what make Mr. White happy.

As for me, I am not the type of girl who likes jewelry, a new car, or expensive clothes.  Mr. White knows this.  When he wants to surprise me, or make me happy, he will buy my favorite frozen pizza, or some Ginger ale. . . Perhaps he will buy me a large bag of m and m's, or some mint-chocolate-chip ice cream.   And with these little presents, I am delighted.

At different times, each of us will be in the store, looking through the aisles, thinking about what the other would like.

My favorite thing, is to hear him coming home, rattling his pockets, and saying, "I bought you some m and m's!"

And he loves when I come home, put down the grocery bags, and tell him, "I bought you a special kind of burger!"

No fancy restaurant dinner. . .no wrapped presents . . . no trip to foreign lands. . . no night out on the town. . . no.... none of these things can compare to when Mr. White and I buy groceries for presents.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

For Those Difficult Days - Make the Mess Look Pretty.

Our Home - Tonight's View from the Kitchen.

What Do you Do all Day? - How a Housewife Passes the Time. 

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Not Shopping

It is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Many people, all over the U.S. are shopping today.. . Except me. (smiles)

I am home, cleaning, and remembering what a wonderful Holiday we had yesterday.  

I don't think I have ever shopped on Black Friday. I love hearing about all the treasures others are able to find, and about how much fun they are having, but I really would rather stay home. I don't even want to shop online, or by phone.  I know, that is so un-American of me. But I'd rather not spend any money. I just don't need anything right now.

So I am busy with my decorating and homemaking tasks.  It will be a restful, happy day at home.

Later, I will hear about the shopping feats of others. I will be delighted for them.  Just like a Grandma who sits at home, resting, eagerly waiting for when the family comes back home. .  . Waiting for them to tell her about their adventures in the world.

I will have some hot, homemade beef stew waiting for them. The fire will be blazing in the wood stove. And Mama will be here, as happy and content as ever.


Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives - 

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.  

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace. 

 Unwanted Advice for the Family - Quieting Myself for the Good of Others.

 

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