Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and with it Black Friday. I personally don't like Black Friday and try not to shop on that day. I hate the crowds and I seem to catch good sales on other days without getting caught up in that frenzy.
You've probably have heard there are enough petitions to stuff a turkey against stores trying to get a jump on that day and opening for business on Thanksgiving . (If you want you can go to Change.org to sign any number of them.) As you can imagine, I'm against opening up on Thanksgiving. To me it 's just wrong. It's a day to reflect, to appreciate the things that truly matter and if possible spend time with people you care about. ( My father and his wife have passed on and my mother and sister live in another state but they will all be at our table, if only in our thoughts.) It's a shame people have to leave their families behind because they have to work.
In fairness I have to report that Target said on their blog, A Bullseye View, "The holiday season is highly competitive, and Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest shopping times of the year. Target’s opening time was carefully evaluated with our guests and team members in mind. Our opening time this year reflects the feedback we have heard from our guests – many prefer to shop following their family gatherings rather than in the very early hours of the morning." They also state they asked for volunteers and had not forced anyone to work. But I have to wonder, in this economy, would one feel pressured into working? If they're seasonal workers, probably. Do they feel it would be a check mark against them if they didn't? Could be, I don't know for sure. Remember, this is Target's rendition of the facts.
And who are these consumers, whom they speak of, who are so hell bent on shopping? What, there's no other sales for the next four weeks they can go to? Is cooking and having company not enough that they have to walk for hours from store to store? And if there has to be one, why can't Black Friday come a week after Thanksgiving? What priorities are we accepting and teaching our children if we allow Thanksgiving to be violated ?
I know this is more of a rant but I just don't get it.
Do you shop on Black Friday? Are you going to shop on Thanksgiving? If you are tell me what I'm missing here. Thanks.
A little side note: Small Store Saturday - support the little businesses that are a part of America's hometown. Also checkout craft sites or go to craft shows for unique gifts.
