It is the day before Thanksgiving in America. A day we all look forward for varied reasons – the food, the family gathering, the football. It is a day fraught with memory-making opportunities. For Christians, it is the day we pause and give thanks for all God has done in our lives and renew our hope for what He will do in the year ahead. One thing I love the MOST about Thanksgiving is seeing all the stores closed allowing their employees an annual day off to be with family.
However, there is a new trend that is cause for concern.
I love Black Friday. My grown daughters and I enjoy going out before sunrise to shop, laugh, drink lattes and find good deals.
Our Black Friday outing last year in Highlands, NC
We meet up with the guys around 10a for breakfast to share with them our amazing finds. It is a fun tradition, and one we look forward to.
But it seems the retailers aren’t content with getting us up and out so early. They would rather not wait for us to wake up, so this year stores are opening at midnight! What? Not go to sleep after eating so much turkey – a known sleep-aid?! I love to shop so normally I would be onboard for late night shopping. Yet, if I stop and think more about this trend I can predict what’s happening. If they open at midnight this year, then next year they’ll open at 10p. If this is successful then the next year they’ll open at sunset! It could be we’re on the fast track to making “Thanksgiving the New Black!”
I doubt if my personal boycott of not shopping at midnight will buck this trend, but at least I’ll be the only one on Friday morning not so tired from burning the candles at both ends. And maybe I’ll be quicker to snatch that good deal.
The Romantic Vineyard 
I completely agree! We have the same traditions meeting up with the guys for breakfast…standing in line in the cold for the “ungettable” gift for someone…I’ve been shopping on Black Friday for years. My favorite story is standing in line for 2 hours at Circuit City to pay for the gift. But, this year, we are having dinner with my parents (here), then driving to my in laws for the weekend, so we won’t be in town until 8-9pm. Joe, would have to drop me off at the store (so I couldn’t even visit with his family) and would make me late to be in line for any deals…I am planning on boycotting as well!! Bahumbug! 🙂
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I hear ya, Kristy. It’s tempting to skip the whole things…but I love our early mornings out together. Although there may not be anything left by that time.
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Yes, I agree and was thinking the same thing. Stop Black Thursday! Relevant post, thank you.
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Thanks for commenting, Rob!
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Sorry, Debi. This time I’m out at midnight. I wish it weren’t an option, but since it is and it works with our work and childcare schedules we’ll be there. I think I’ll have to cut myself off from turkey early. I’ll let you know how it goes – as you know this is the idea of the crazy energetic pregnant lady in our group.
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She is a bossy thing, isn’t she? Have fun – I’ll have sugarplums dancing in my head!
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I do not do black friday. Won’t go near a store. Most of our shopping is on line. Simple easy and nice. Kmart this years is open for black friday on Thanksgiving. Yes I did see that and I won’t do it.
One day for giving thanks and for family is more important than the retailers.
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Amen, Sharon! I refuse to give up my Thanksgiving. Santa Claus in the malls before is bad enough!
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I feel bad for the poor employees, who have to be there on Thanksgiving to set up for the midnight (or earlier) sales. It’s a shame they are taken away from their families to feed corporate greed.
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Me too, Mark! And from the ads it looks like most stores are doing this this year.
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Although shopping in the midst of a fierce crowd has never been my thing. However, it seems to me that retailers are only concerned to drastically recover losses, never mind encroaching upon the consumers and their employees’ time.
What a shame!
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Ironic you mention the trend. I know a store here (normally 24 hrs) that is starting there Black Friday sales at 10pm Thursday night.
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Ughhh…I have to confess…we totally gave in to the rush!!!! We were driving down and found out my father in law was already in line. We couldn’t resist! The adrenaline starting pumping and we made a plan…I was dropped off at Wal Mart (luckily all the relatives left the house by then) and we stood in line, cause that’s what you do!! 🙂 But, we got what we wanted for the most part and we were home by 1am. It was a little anti-climatic though!
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Midnight has been going on a couple of years on the west coast, and we had a few start at 9 PM this year (Toys R Us for one). I fully expect to see 7 pm in a year or two.
Nice to see we know what to wor$hip!
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Some stores here were open all day on Thanksgiving. It is a trend I hate! The only good part? There weren’t nearly as many people out at 5a. on Friday, but still lots of good deals.
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