Continuing to bring you people's holiday stories all week long. Have you found anyone you can identify with yet? Perhaps this one will resonate- the plight of the retail worker at holiday time. Don't miss out. Check out all of this week's holiday traditions, memories, and more.... and join the conversation!
This interviewee asked to speak anonymously to protect the privacy of her employer.
WHAT HOLIDAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR?
“Just Christmas.”
HOW DO YOU USUALLY CELEBRATE?
“We go to my mom’s house on Christmas Day. We have dinner, exchange gifts, etc. On Christmas Eve my in-laws come over and we have dinner. We (my husband and I) work during the holidays so we have to try to fit it all in.”
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“We work in the “exciting” world of retail.”
SO DO YOU BOTH WORK A LOT OF HOLIDAYS?
“We both work just about every holiday except Thanksgiving, which for me is non-negotiable.”
HOW DOES YOUR CAREER EFFECT YOUR CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS?
“It limits what we can do. We don’t have the extended season like most people do and it kind of kills the holiday spirit. We really have to cram an entire season into one day. Plus we see the worst in people this time of year!”
WHAT HOLIDAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR?
“Just Christmas.”
HOW DO YOU USUALLY CELEBRATE?
“We go to my mom’s house on Christmas Day. We have dinner, exchange gifts, etc. On Christmas Eve my in-laws come over and we have dinner. We (my husband and I) work during the holidays so we have to try to fit it all in.”
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“We work in the “exciting” world of retail.”
SO DO YOU BOTH WORK A LOT OF HOLIDAYS?
“We both work just about every holiday except Thanksgiving, which for me is non-negotiable.”
HOW DOES YOUR CAREER EFFECT YOUR CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS?
“It limits what we can do. We don’t have the extended season like most people do and it kind of kills the holiday spirit. We really have to cram an entire season into one day. Plus we see the worst in people this time of year!”
WAS CHRISTMAS A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?
“It was. Don’t know if it was a “bigger” deal than it is now, but there was more excitement. There was definitely a lot more celebrating than I am able to do now.”
WHAT’S A BIGGER DEAL IN YOUR HOUSE, CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY?
“Day. Christmas Eve is nice, but Christmas Day is a full day together.”
WAS IT THE SAME WAY WHEN YOU WERE A KID?
“Christmas Eve was always bigger to my family, but not for me. Day has always been my thing.”
DID YOU OPEN GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY?
“When I was a kid we could open a lot, most, on Christmas Eve. Now I save them all for Christmas Day.”
SO WAS THERE EVER A GIFT THAT YOU REALLY WANTED AS A KID BUT NEVER GOT?
“Not really. I had a Godsend for a Grandpa. He always made sure I was happy.”
IF YOU COULD ASK SANTA FOR ANYTHING THIS YEAR WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR?
“Oh that’s a tough one! I really only asked for a couple of things this year. I like buying things for my son more. I'm in retail, I can always use coffee. Starbucks gift cards maybe?”
SO DO YOU THINK YOU’RE ON THE NAUGHTY LIST OR THE NICE LIST?
“I don't think I’ve seen the nice list since middle school."
“It was. Don’t know if it was a “bigger” deal than it is now, but there was more excitement. There was definitely a lot more celebrating than I am able to do now.”
WHAT’S A BIGGER DEAL IN YOUR HOUSE, CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY?
“Day. Christmas Eve is nice, but Christmas Day is a full day together.”
WAS IT THE SAME WAY WHEN YOU WERE A KID?
“Christmas Eve was always bigger to my family, but not for me. Day has always been my thing.”
DID YOU OPEN GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY?
“When I was a kid we could open a lot, most, on Christmas Eve. Now I save them all for Christmas Day.”
SO WAS THERE EVER A GIFT THAT YOU REALLY WANTED AS A KID BUT NEVER GOT?
“Not really. I had a Godsend for a Grandpa. He always made sure I was happy.”
IF YOU COULD ASK SANTA FOR ANYTHING THIS YEAR WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR?
“Oh that’s a tough one! I really only asked for a couple of things this year. I like buying things for my son more. I'm in retail, I can always use coffee. Starbucks gift cards maybe?”
SO DO YOU THINK YOU’RE ON THE NAUGHTY LIST OR THE NICE LIST?
“I don't think I’ve seen the nice list since middle school."
