For years, my sisters and sister-in-law enjoyed a holiday tradition. On the day after Thanksgiving, we’d get up at 6 a.m. and hit the malls in search of the best bargains.

We were women on a mission. Lists in hand, we’d visit every store to make sure we got the best deals and cross off as many items as possible.

We’d have lunch at a restaurant in the mall because, let’s face it, you won’t find another parking spot if you leave.

Our wonderful brothers took care of all the kids at our parents’ house. They had a non-stop basketball game going on in the driveway along with burgers on the barbecue pit.

My two sisters and I would stay up talking until 2 a.m. I still remember my sister-in-law, Debra, standing over me at 5:30 a.m. She was snapping her fingers in front of my face saying “Get up! Those bargains won’t wait!”

One year, we were in Service Merchandise, a store similar to Target. We’d gotten there about 7 a.m., intent on snagging early-bird bargains. As we were walking in, our brother was walking out, bags in hand.

Jimmy said he heard us talking and decided to cash in on the Black Friday deals. He was already finished and good naturedly accused us of being slackers for getting there so late.

Our nieces always asked to come with us, but we told them they were too young. One year, we believed they were old enough to be initiated into the after-Thanksgiving Day shopping spree.

The rules were simple. No whining. No complaining. Shop fast and shop smart. The best deals had to be more than 25 percent off the retail price. The girls hung with us but about mid-morning, they had a revelation.

This wasn’t fun.

They said they would rather sleep late and hang out with their uncles and dads instead of traipsing through the mall looking for bargains.

Plus, we made them carry all the bags, so I can understand why they weren’t 100 percent on board with our tradition.

This is one of the many memories the women in our family have shared.  Now I’m creating new ones with the girls in my immediate family.

My daughters-in-law and I had a great time at a painting session a few months ago. We decided to do something creative again, so we booked a pottery making class.

Our eldest granddaughter was at a weekend Thespian Festival, and that left our other granddaughter, Kat, home. Originally it was just going to be the moms, but I called Kat’s mother and asked her to bring Kat along.

It was time for the initiation.

Having young Kat in the group was a treat for all of us. She learned her female relatives were a lot of fun, wise – my word, not hers – and imaginative. We learned how creative she can be and also how funny and smart she is.

The end results were fun and, in our eyes, beautiful. Some of the pieces were a little lopsided, some not as tall or as wide as we’d hoped but they were unique in their own way.

There were wine goblets, bowls and, the piece de resistance, a pitcher Ingrid made, complete with a handle and flowers on the side.

The baton is being passed. My sister told me the best thing I can spend money and time on in life is experiences.

She’s right.

Heads up painting studio. A group consisting of fun female family members are headed your way, laughter, talent and love in tow.

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.