Everyone loves a good bargain. I’d even wager to say that discounted prices are a kind of blessing for many. Black Friday is a perfect example.
Black Friday sales make it possible for families to give gifts they may be unable to otherwise. It has the capability of being a beautiful thing, an enhancement to the holiday season. I’m not opposed to venturing off in the early morning hours to hunt down a special item. I’d be lying if I said that I’ve never done it, but thanks to the U.S. market, Black Friday has gotten completely out of hand.
For years, stores have begun their blowout sales earlier and earlier, and now they’ve finally crept their way onto Thanksgiving. Last year, there were stores opening as early as 8 at night. I was disgusted. Call me old fashioned, but I always viewed the holidays as a time to bond with those who mean the most to us, family or friends.
For me, and for many, the holidays begin on Thanksgiving. I’m a sucker for the grand feasts, the large tables with mismatched chairs to accommodate all the bodies and the chatter with family you haven’t seen in a year. By opening up stores on Thanksgiving, that sacred time is cut out in many ways.
For starters, it’s extremely unfair to the employees who are forced to work that day. Usually in retail, openers have to arrive an hour early to prepare the store. I’d imagine that planning for a big event might require them to arrive even earlier. Why is it fair that these employees should miss out on spending time with their families? We all know they won’t protest because when it comes to your source of income, it can be pretty hard to argue.
Of course, stores probably wouldn’t be opening so soon if they weren’t sure people would show up. I’m not sure who to blame for this, but I’d argue it’s because of our culture. People living in the U.S. have become so materialistic and commercialized. We always feel like we have to have the best and when we’re trying to show how much we care about someone, we feel like we have to give the best. Like I mentioned before, sometimes that’s impossible without the help of an exceptional sale.
So by opening up the doors on Thanksgiving, stores almost force people who are in need of a discount on their Christmas shopping to go out. If they don’t, they may miss their chance to get that one gift they’ve been waiting for. It’s often not until later in life that people realize that what’s most important is spending time with who the gift is for rather than buying them a gift.
Blaming the market itself may be unfair. Money does speak louder than words in many cases. For that reason, I don’t know how we’d fix the problem. The easiest way may be to change the current mindset of our society. But how do you change a culture of commercialism? Is it even right to? I don’t have that answer.
Maybe the best way to fix a problem is by recognizing it’s there. I’m not capable of changing the way an industry operates. Regardless of what I say, stores will still start their Black Friday sales prematurely this year.
This holiday season, I encourage everyone to spend time with those who matter most to you. Think about those who aren’t as fortunate. Use Thanksgiving to actually be thankful for all that you have rather than yearn for something that you don’t. It’d be great if Thanksgiving didn’t become Black Thursday.
