So you’re back in the office, wishing the electricity would go out on your floor or that your computer would crash- whichever would get your tail out of the building and back in your bed the fastest. Every email you send from Outlook is taking the recipients hours to respond, and employee spirits at your office are so low you’re actually contemplating sending Hallmark e-cards to coworkers.
But I’ve got a secret for you about today: no one in the country is working. Yes they're all in the office, but they’re all just sitting at their desk, shopping on the computer. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Get up from your desk right now and run- literally run- to a coworker’s computer. I bet you’ll see your neighbor shopping online or comparing prices.
Why, do you ask?
Today is Cyber Monday, coined by the National Retail Federation back in 2005 after online retailers saw an increase in sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Coincidentally enough, it also happens to be World AIDS Day, the day of the year dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.
I want you to shop your little heart out today! But remember: stay within your budget (the average Christmas budget is around $600*), don’t shop for people not written on your Christmas list (if you don’t have one, peel off a Post-It and get to writing), and if you can, support retailers who donate a portion of their proceeds to fund AIDS research, like these listed below.
And if you think you’ll only find cheesy promotional items from these guys, you’re wrong. I picked out some of my faves from the (RED) website, which also (since I am SO cheap) happen to be reasonably priced.
Enjoy getting paid to shop today while you’re at work! I know it’s MY favorite corporate holiday! And if you get caught… well, I never wrote this article.
*For my fiancé James… darling, that number isn’t the budget for the entire family. According to an independent research company that will remain nameless, that number should be just for your significant other.
Here’s hoping.
About the Writer: Christine Epps has been a Baltimore Hon for 22 years. She is the owner of retail marketing firm Epps Consulting. Seen some eye-catching Baltimore fashion recently? Email Christine about it.
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