by CAROLINE GAVURA Section Editor
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Who wouldn’t love an entire day devoted to bonding with family and amazing food? Apparently, a lot more people than you would think.
Usually the madness of Black Friday does not start until the day after Thanksgiving; families come together to give their thanks and eat pumpkin pie, then go to sleep early and set their alarms for ungodly hours of the morning to score deals on items at retail stores.
This year, however, things are a little different. Stores such as Best Buy, JC Penney, and Walmart are opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
It seems as though the soul-less big shots of retail are hoping American families will choke down dinner and dessert, then send grandma packing by 5:30 so they can rush to stores and wrestle their peers for $5 DVDs.
The sad truth of the matter is a lot of families will do just that. But why? What causes people to trample elderly women in order to get in Target and get their discounted Xbox One’s?
“The thrill”, says junior Corinne Franchette. “It’s thrilling to get up when it’s still dark out and wait in the long lines of people in hopes of getting a steal. I love going to Sephora because they give out free stuff and play games. It’s fun!”
While many stores are opening on Thanksgiving, some refuse to ruin the holiday. Stores like Nordstrom and Costco realize that the holidays are a time of coming together and celebrating. At Nordstrom, it is even considered a tradition to wait to start sales and unveil holiday decorations until Black Friday.
“Our employees work especially hard during the holiday season, and we simply believe that they deserve the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families,” Costco Vice President Paul Latham told the Huffington post, “Nothing more complicated than that.”
While most people are concerned about workers being forced to work on the holiday and consumerism being pushed into a holiday meant for family, others fear they will be missing out if they do not shop on Thanksgiving.
“Who can blame them? It’s not fair. I shouldn’t have to leave my family and friends so I can go out and get items for the best prices. It’s kind of ironic that everyone is going to being missing one holiday to go out and buy gifts for another holiday,” says junior Bree McKenna.
When it comes down to it, it is a personal decision. Whether you enjoy watching football and eating turkey with Grandpa, or seeking door busters and wrestling middle aged women for mascara with Mom, be sure to give thanks this Thanksgiving. Even for the little things, like being healthy and happy.
When will you be going Black Friday shopping? How do you feel about stores like Walmart opening early on Thanksgiving Day?
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