The neighbor to one side of you still hasn’t removed all of the fake spiderwebs from her bushes, and the neighbor on the other side is staking illuminated reindeer down in his front yard. Thanksgiving (the superior holiday, mind you) is a turkey and pie speedbump that simply launches our culture headlong over Black Friday and towards Christmas. And there is no stopping it.
You may have already received the emails. If you are on a fly fishing distribution list, if you have ever bought something angling adjacent, if you have ever stepped foot in or near an outdoor establishment; know that your @whatever.com is squarely within an entire horde’s sights. All you are is another credit card number susceptible to clever marketing.
They’ll offer you free shipping. They’ll offer you 12 days of percentages off. They’ll offer you the world. And like a farm-raised turkey used to being greeted by the friendly farmer, you’ll yield.
Because it is fly fishing stuff. And we all want it under the tree.
Here’s how to navigate the coming onslaught of ads masquerading as gold, frankincense, and myrrh:
Perform conspiracy theory level analysis to wait for a better deal.
You’ve heard that a new model of that rod might be coming out next year. 10% is not a closeout price. It is a loss-reduction maneuver and you see right through it. Wait for it. Hold the line. Come January 1st, the discount will make it so that you are basically getting paid to shop.
Avoid FOMO.
I’ve really wanted it and now it is on sale and I mean why not? I deserve it and like I said I’ve wanted it for like months and this is a great deal and I’m sure that grandma will send me cash for Christmas and I’ll pay myself back and I’ve bought it. Phew. That was close.
Practice monk-like contentment.
Every advertisement is an opportunity for you to find joy in what you already have. A fancy new boat? The one you have might have holes, but it still kind of floats. A bright new reel with an iron-clad drag? Yours squeaks and falls off your rod sometimes, but its not like you catch a lot of fish. Hit delete and find your happy place… with your stinky old gear.
Forward it, because you want it.
You’re smart and see through all the marketing fluff. But your friends and family? You can judo these emails so that less savvy consumers will be hypnotized into fulfilling your every wish list desire.
Keep your eye out for the annual Casting Across Holiday Gift Guide!