Black Friday
November 25, 2011
image from FallingFifth.com
Before I begin this rant, let me just state: I did go shopping today. I went to consignment shops, independent music- and bookstores, and independent toy stores. I didn’t go within two miles of the mall (nor will I, if it can be avoided, until January!) or any big-box department stores. I shopped small and local, and I had a leisurely afternoon of it with my mother. It was about bonding and together time (and taking an opportunity for a child-free afternoon out together) – not about camping out to make sure I Got There First.
I’m not judging anyone who did do the Black Friday thing; to each his/her own. I just don’t understand the appeal. In fact, I typically go out of my way to avoid crowds and standing in line, so the whole thing is definitely not for me.
What bothers me, though, is that Black Friday is now starting on Thursday. As if Thanksgiving weren’t already overshadowed by the ever-encroaching onset of holiday music, now it is being ignored altogether by people waiting in line at their favorite store as early as Wednesday.
I love Thanksgiving and the chance to sit down to a lavish meal with my extended family and talk about all the blessings in our lives. After two years away, I absolutely can’t fathom wanting to miss any part of it this season full of magic, or skip over anything to get to the “main event” faster.
And it is sad to me to see not one, but two holidays be lost in the name of consumerism.
I generally avoid Black Friday shopping as well. We went today, but in the afternoon, and only because I couldn’t pass up the deal on Peter’s Christmas present. I’m getting him a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a store was offering a 15% discount today only – far too much of a savings in actual dollars to pass by.
I think that the people who get in those lines to shop at midnight are absolutely insane.