Some prefer to avoid 'Black Friday' frenzy

Joanne Sapik woke up early Friday, as she does most mornings.

But she didn't join the shopping crowd or fight for any predawn bargains.

Instead, she spent the day at her home in Selah, baking mincemeat-filled cookies, part of her gift for her brother.

"I'm not a big believer in buying a gift for someone to just be buying a gift or just because the calendar says so," Sapik, 75, said.

While many Americans spent the day traveling from store to store to find the lowest prices for everything from toys to televisions to put under the Christmas tree, others like Sapik chose to ignore the day completely.

Adbusters magazine declared the Friday after Thanksgiving "Buy Nothing Day," encouraging people around the world to not buy anything and to encourage others to do the same. Some participants were to sing anti-shopping carols outside of shopping malls and stores, and the "Buy Nothing Day" Web site offered a variety of free activities one can do in lieu of shopping.

Sapik, a retired operating room nurse, has never been one to indulge in the allure of Christmas sales promoted by retailers.

She'll give gifts for Christmas, she said, but they won't come from a wish list. She looks for gifts of significance. For example, her grandchildren in Oregon will receive money to see the movie "Marley & Me" when it comes out in theaters. She believes the children will appreciate the story -- the relationship between a dog and his family.

Of course the children could spend the money on something else, but for Sapik, it's the thought that counts.

"I think a gift should come from the heart," she said.

Mai Hoang can be reached at 577-7685 or hoang@yakimaherald.com.