Larry Carl: Many happy returns

Well, it’s over. Just like that. The hype – the sales – the discounts – the savings – oh, the savings. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. The big day has come and gone.

If you didn’t get that giant red-ribboned, shiny new car parked conspicuously in your driveway, it’s not too late. Because today is the second-biggest shopping day of the year. All the dealerships are open – not braced for returns, but ready to help you get what you really wanted for Christmas: a new car! If Oprah were here she’d say, “You get a car, you get a car, you get a car. Everybody get’s a car!”

Of course, with the year-end auto sales events in their final stages, you can go get that new ride. If you’ve always wanted to participate in a group event or be part of a record-breaking endeavor, you can join the exclusive club with an estimated 17.5 million members – The New Car-Owners Club of 2015.

So the department stores will have to wait for the influx of ugly sweaters, flannel pajamas and the animal slippers. You have to go get a new car. But leave the fruitcake at home.

This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Larry Carl: Many happy returns."