Educated opinions, statistics and research on emerging social patterns and trends for GenX and Millennials
Jen X, Y & Me - Jennifer Carey
Several MindCometeers and I were having a discussion about “the worst Christmas song ever” and we’ve reached a stalemate. In our discussions, there emerged five really strong competitors and now we need you to help us name “The Worst Ever”.
Here are your choices...
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Dec. 17, 2010
The tradition of sending cards during the holidays started in 1843 in England. Since then, the practice of sending greetings and wishes during this time of year has become expected. I have not decided how I feel about Christmas cards. To illustrate my dilemma, I’ve made a Christmas card Pros and Cons list. Let me know what you think.
Pro
- Indicates that your liked, by at least one person (remember poor Charlie Brown never got a card).
- They make a nice room decoration without having to actually purchase another room decoration.
- They occasionally make good fire-starters.
Con
- If I receive a card from you, I then have to check my list to see if I sent you one. If not, then I have to rush and remedy that “oversight”.
- I feel bad that you sent me a card I will just toss in the trash in the next thirty days.
- I am subject to either your horrible sense of humor or lack of one…
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Dec. 14, 2010
I like parties and I like dressing up (fancy or costumes, makes no difference to me), so I am naturally a big fan of the Ugly Christmas Sweater party. I have a phenomenal hot pink blinking sweater that is really only missing sound to round out it’s audaciousness. I’ve owned this particular sweater for three holiday seasons and I love when I can break it out. Without fail, there is someone who has not yet witnessed the full magnitude of my sweaters ugliness and their response is almost always the same… “Wow!, that is an ugly sweater!”. Music (I wish I had some) to my ears. What’s your favorite holiday party?
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Dec. 08, 2010
I wore my awesome holiday sweater on 16dec10 for our internal Christmas party (see Part Five). I received an equal amount of compliments as I did stares. Embrace the Christmas Sweater, it’s fun!
…Posted by Jennifer on 12/20/2010 03:48 PM
Writing a letter to Santa is a long standing holiday tradition. While visiting my grandmother in February, I found a letter my mother had written to Santa. Apparently, my Grandmother found it as amazing as I do and that is why she kept it. Here is my seven (7) year old mother’s Letter to Santa, enjoy.
Dear Santa,
I have been a very good girl this year. I would like a bike and a nylon sweater for Christmas this year.
Also, a watch and a statue of the baby Jesus.
Judith
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Dec. 01, 2010
I think I am going to make her seven year old dreams come true this Christmas… Although I do think I am going to have trouble finding a nylon only sweater…
Posted by Jennifer on 12/03/2010 04:32 PM
I am a big fan of holiday traditions, all kinds, but have never been a participant in the madness that is known as “Black Friday”. In all honesty, I am usually done with my holiday shopping by mid-October, so anything I would buy on this particular day would be something for myself.
Black Friday got it’s name because it indicated the period during which retailers are turning a profit, or “being in the black”. I understand this day is very important to retailers. The total aggregated sales from Black Friday are also used to gauge things like economic confidence and spending trends. I understand all of that for business to consumer (B2C) retail brands (BestBuy, Target, ToysRUs). A trend that has been occurring lately is for business to business brands to follow suit with “Black Friday Deals”. This is much more interesting to me.
I have received Black Friday emails and mailers from print houses (business cards, stationary, invites/announcements) commercial supply brands (copy paper, toner, pens, etc) and other agencies (marketing, advertising, interactive). These offers are very different from traditional B2B offers, which center around fantastic deals on limited quantities of wanted merchandise. The B2B offers are all about the lure…. Spend (insert amount) by (insert date) and get a savings of (insert amount) on your next order in 2011. The details vary depending on the service being rendered, but the idea is the same; capitalize on the notion of black friday, increase sales for Q4, and pre-book business for 2011.
Where I think this is interesting is that I really don’t equate the urgency I feel when purchasing my copy paper with the urgency I may feel in purchasing that new 50” flat panel LG LCD TV for $100. Black Friday is all about “scoring a great deal”... I just don’t’ get that same feeling about copy paper, pens, or print services. Is this trend of B2B Black Friday deals an effort to “get into the black”? Are we moving back in that direction? I think I’ll have to wait and see.
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Nov. 26, 2010
As the last of the trick or treaters make their way home to sweet sugar comas, I have begun to think about the next great holiday, Thanksgiving. I am sure I am not alone when I say I have a soft spot for holidays that revolve around food, Thanksgiving being king of these. I love the traditional fare; turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, stuffing, pumpkin pie… oh the pie. I also like the community feel of thanksgiving and the idea that we should all stop and take stock of how very fortunate we are… Hopefully, that is the case with you, dear reader. So, to that end, here is the list of things that I am grateful for this holiday season;
1. I am thankful to have a happy, healthy child.
2. I am thankful to have a job that I love and work with people I adore.
3. I am thankful for all of the hardships I have had, for they have helped me redefine myself.
4. I am thankful for the laughter I experience and the love that I receive.
5. I am thankful for my family and friends, who held me together when I could not do so alone.
I hope that you’re list is bountiful and that you share your gratitude and love with those around you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Nov. 11, 2010
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about eggs… It went something like this;
Friend - “Hey, if you were to sit on an egg, what would you hope would hatch?“
Me - “What do you mean, like a chicken or a dinosaur?“
Friend - “Yeah, like that…. What would you be willing to sit on?“
I thought about this for a while, as it was a weird but interesting topic. What would I be willing to sit on? Being a mother, I suppose I would sit on anything in order to give that little egg a fighting chance. But if it were up to me, I think I’d want either a sea turtle (because come on, how cute are they) or a Quetzalcoatlus (so he could fly me to the office every day). What would you choose?
Posted by Jennifer Carey on Nov. 01, 2010
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Everyone knows “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” is the worst!! Although they all are pretty bad!
Posted by Jennifer on 12/17/2010 09:50 AM