Why I Won’t Shop On Black Friday
You know Fall has finally arrived as the days get shorter and the nights get longer….and a lot colder! It’s that time of year that I can finally drink my favorite Chai Tea lattes, eat s’mores by the bonfire and wear sweaters with leggings. With the changing of the seasons also comes holiday shopping. Irresistible sales attract large crowds and long lines to our favorite stores. Many people wait to kick-start their shopping on the iconic day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. But you won’t see me shopping that day, even though my kids made their Christmas lists out as soon as the clock struck Summer. 🙂 Sure, there was a time where I, too, was on the hunt for the best deals among the large crowds. However, the day has changed over the years and I’m going to share with you why I don’t go shopping on Black Friday.
IT’S A CIRCUS
Black Friday has turned into a circus. Droves of people, who have braved the blistering cold, wait in line for hours just to snag that favorite item at a few dollars off. It’s absurd to me. I say this tongue in cheek because I can hear my BFF (who is a dedicated Black Friday shopper) say, “But the cookies you get in this line” or “The free item you get at that store”…or…or…or… LOVE you Carla! LOL! I have a secret though. Can you keep it? Here it is: Most stores are now offering the very same sales online. You can shop from the comfort of home, in front of a fire with a cup of hot cocoa and still get almost all of the same deals. Door busters are an exception, but they are a limited number anyway. Unless you absolutely have to have that five dollar pair of pajamas, avoid the crowds and stay home.
BLACK FRIDAY IS NOW BLACK THURSDAY
Each year I feel like the sale gets pushed back further and further. It’s gotten to the point where people are now skipping Thanksgiving dinner with their families to be able to go shopping. Something is seriously wrong with this picture. When did a sale become more important than time with family? Aren’t we supposed to be giving thanks for what we already have in our lives? The materialism Black Friday is bringing upon this day of thanks is shameful. I’m advocating you skip the lines, grab a slice of pumpkin pie and spend time with the ones you love and hold dear to your heart.
EMPLOYEES ARE PEOPLE, TOO
While you are at home preparing your turkey dinner, there are people who’ve had to give up the day entirely to prepare for the sales. They are the employees. Without them roping in the crowds, cashing out long lines and cleaning up the mess, there would be no sales to attend. In the same respect, without shoppers there would be no need to have employees work on Thanksgiving. Until we, as consumers, start refusing to shop on Thanksgiving, these people will continue to have to forgo family time because they have no choice but to go to their mandatory scheduled shift.
OUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING
In my family, we keep the holidays focused as much on Christ as possible. Now I am not saying if you shop on Black Friday that you are not focused on Christ. I’m not casting stones in my glass house nor am I judging how you and your family celebrate the holidays. In my home, we teach our kids that Thanksgiving day is about spending time with friends and family and focusing on being Thankful for the bounty that God has given us. I don’t know, in my mind it is hard to teach my kids moderation and not to be materialistic and take them out into the madness of Black Friday. Also, what exactly do we want their identity tied to?
I HAVE ANOTHER SECRET ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY
If you shop early like I do, you can find those same sales without waiting in line for hours. Or better yet, without having to camp out! I used to work retail. People do not realize that stores will mark things up and then drop the price slightly to fool the consumer into thinking they are getting a great deal on Black Friday. This happens all the time. In my experiences, I have yet to see a store not do this. You can also find sales leading up to Black Friday that’s usually better than the sale on Black Friday. Unless you enjoy the mad dash into the store and knocking people over, there is no need to get out of your jammies and rush out to stand in those lines. You’re welcome! LOL!
This Thanksgiving, consider shopping from home or skip shopping all together. Laugh, share stories and spend time with your family around the dinner table. Creating those memories will last longer than any material item you purchase at a store. Set an example for the young kids in your family, pass down recipes and family traditions for them to share for years to come. And if you absolutely cannot resist the temptation of a good deal, don’t forget there is always Cyber Monday!
In Awe,
Laura
