Family bears scars, trophies of Black Friday battles

Editor’s note: This is the final story in a three-part series examining the holiday shopping season.

They’ve witnessed the cat fights.
They know how to get the best deals.
They laugh, they bicker, they walk, they stop.
And then, they walk some more.
Along the way, they make no apologies for being Black Friday shopping nuts...er...enthusiasts.
They’re the Mundell Girls of rural Saverton, and they’re every retailer’s dream.
Linda Mundell and her three grown daughters, Tara, Jessie and Shayna, have been hitting the stores the day after Thanksgiving for years.
“It’s a tradition,” Linda explains. “We try to get together as much as we can, but it’s the yearly thing we all do.”
“She’s the biggest shopper in the entire universe,” Shayna tattles.
“I’ve passed it on,” Linda shoots back. “It’s in the gene pool.”

Early risers
The four got up at 1:30 a.m. Friday and ate breakfast at 3.
The Mundell males were left to their snoozing with apparently little on the agenda besides making something called “turkey tacos” later in the day.
By 4, the ladies were looking over merchandise in what would be the first of many stops.
Just before 8 a.m., the journey had taken them to Big Lots! in Hannibal.
Linda is the captain.
She keeps the procession moving and doesn’t let anyone yawn.
“It’s adrenaline,” Linda said. “Tomorrow, we’ll die.”
Jessie is the scout.
She canvasses the stores in advance and butters up stressed workers.
“I talk to the employees and find out where things are going to be,” she said.
Tara is the practical one.
She urges everyone to split up and call on the cell phone when they find a bargain.
“You can cover a whole store that way,” she said.
While all of the ladies have a sense of humor, Shayna is the true comedian.
“We make fun of everybody and ourselves,” she said. “That’s what Christmas is all about.”
“We laugh a lot,” Tara admits.
“We’re not mean-spirited people,” Shayna continues.
“Well, not very often,” Linda adds.

Tiffs and tumults
The gang has run into shoppers who could use a little more...uh...Christmas spirit.
“Jessie about got in a fistfight,” Shayna tattles again.
“I ran into a woman with a cart,” Jessie explains. “She yelled at me. I did apologize, but she was swearing at me. I’ve gotten hit by 50 different people, but no one apologizes to me.”
Of course, the vitriol isn’t always reserved for others.
“The arguments start when Mom and Jessie have four cartloads of stuff and we’re all in one car,” Shayna said. “So, Tara and I have to wait while they get another vehicle or two. It’s happened.”
Stamina is vital.
“It’s really hard work to shop,” Tara said. “When you shop for 12 hours, it’s a workout.”
“It’s like lifting weights,” Jessie said. “You lug around the stuff and load it and unload it.”
The ladies believe aisles of many stores this year weren’t as packed as they’ve been in the past.
“It wasn’t as crazy,” Shayna said. “I think it’s a sign of the times. It wasn’t as stressful.”
For the Mundells, generosity abounds and nothing is held back.
They buy gifts for adults in the family and many of their neighbors. Then, there are the nieces and nephews and grandchildren.
“We usually try to get educational stuff,” Linda says.

Secrets unwrapped
Here’s a piece of Mundell advice: Don’t forget the stocking stuffers.
“Mom, those Hot Wheels cars are on sale for 50 cents,” Jessie points out.
“Did you get the Baby Basketball?” Shayna asks Tara.
“I did,” Tara replies as she heads toward the checkout line. “Does anybody want a soda? I do. Shayna?
Alas, all good things end.
Jessie and Shayna have to go to work.
Mom and Tara, however, are taking the shopping cruiser to Quincy for more discounts.
Before you go, ladies, what’s the real secret to holiday shopping?
“Enjoy it and don’t take it too seriously,” Tara says.
“Go in with an open mind and don’t freak out,” adds Shayna.
“And check out at automotive,” laughs Jessie.
Turkey tacos, anyone?