Last year I did something I vowed I would never do – I shopped on Black Friday. Except it wasn’t Friday, it was Thursday – the Thursday of Thanksgiving.
A certain store advertised a great price on a Nikon camera, an upgrade I desperately needed. This particular deal was only available through a Black Friday promotion that began on Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m.
I left my family gathering early, and headed down to the store an hour early to try and beat the mad, in-store rush. After dodging shopping carts and waiting hours to check out, I purchased the camera.
The camera has lived up to all the hype I created. It takes great photos and great video. I bought it at a great price and I can say I’ve gotten my moneys’ worth from it. However, this camera reminds me of something – a broken vow.
I left my family on a day dedicated to family to go and shop for myself. I violated personal principles and bought into mass consumerism. I supported a system and store that made employees work on a day they shouldn’t. I shopped on Black Thursday.
No retail employee should work on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving isn’t a day about finding the best bang for your buck or getting your Christmas shopping done early.
Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to family and remembering the many blessings in life.
Businesses should honor the Holiday by closing stores and giving their employees the day to spend with their families. We as consumers should support the stores that are closed on Thanksgiving Day and avoid the stores that are open.
I understand wanting to get the best value for your dollar. For big families and broke college students, finding the best deals on key items is a Christmas lifesaver. Shopping on Thanksgiving Day for Black Friday specials could appear to be the best option to get your holiday shopping out of the way, but what does it really cost you? Yeah, the savings can be great, but you won’t get that time back to spend with your family.
Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and remember the true ideals of the holiday. Please don’t turn Thanksgiving into Black Thursday.
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