When Black Friday falls with a big to-do, don't let it fall on you!

At the grocery store on Halloween, I noticed the cashier wore a red and green name tag with "Happy Holidays!" in a magical font.

"Christmas already?" I asked.

She laughed as she handed me the receipt.

"Sure, Halloween, Thanksgiving, it's all part of the holiday season, right?"

Before we've eaten Thanksgiving dinner, ads already tout "Black Friday" sales.

Some ads feature come-on pricing for "two items per location" that result in lines wrapped around the store before dawn.  Once there, you realize there's no way you'll be one of the first two customers grabbing that item, but you probably decide to ride it out, now that you're already there.

Inside, it's a cage match of sharp elbows and rude attitudes.

If you only had six months to live, is that how you'd spend your time?

While digesting your turkey and stuffing, why not figure out where you can take your mate on a dream cruise?

And what about everyone else on your list?

Perhaps a family cruise?  (I had to at least try!)

In any case, you still have time to find thoughtful gifts at a more leisurely pace than joining the Black Friday stampede.

And next year, perhaps you'll do your holiday shopping on a Christmas Markets River Cruise.

"Better service leads to better trips!"