I know that on this blog I talk a lot about getting great deals and saving money, so when I say that I won’t be shopping on Thanksgiving, and maybe not even on Black Friday, it may be a surprise.
There are several reasons why I won’t be at the stores on these days.
I don’t want to fight the crowds.
The last time I went Black Friday (what is it even called now that stores are open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving?) shopping was four years ago. My now husband and I got up at 4:30 a.m. and went to WalMart because I wanted a Cricut and they were one of the doorbusters. Every single parking space in the entire shopping plaza was taken. EVERY. SINGLE. SPACE.
Once we got inside there were huge crowds hovering around pallets of merchandise. It reminded me of a pack of hyenas waiting to pounce on a carcass. Once a certain time hit the employee tears the paper off of the items in the pallet and basically everyone pummels one another trying to get to the products. To me, its just not worth it.
I want to respect the employees’ holiday.
Once upon a time, Black Friday began at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. This year, now stores such as Sears and WalMart are opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Target is opening at 9 a.m. Of course, the employees will have to be at the store hours ahead of time in order to prepare. This means that because of our desire to get great deals, the store employees will miss out on spending Thanksgiving with their families. Family is worth everything to me, so I am not going to deny another person time with their family.
Often you can get better deals either online or closer to the holidays.
Although some stores doorbusters seems like really great deals, often you can get even better deals right before or right after the holidays. Many companies end their fiscal year after the holidays, so if they are trying to meet revenue goals they will really discount items. This also goes for if a new model of the item comes out.
In addition, the sales that happen online on both Black Friday and on Cyber Monday are often even better than those that you can get in the store. Plus, you don’t have to fight the crowds to get the deals.
Most importantly, I am thankful for what I already have.
It is often easy to get caught up in “good deals”. I am blessed with a warm house, loving family, great husband, and healthy son. My husband has a job and I am able to stay home with my son. I don’t need the fanciest computer, biggest TV, most Blue Ray DVDs, more expensive shoes, or anything else. All of those things are just stuff, and stuff doesn’t bring happiness. I am content with what I have so I don’t need to go fight the crowds just to buy more “stuff”.
Of course, me choosing to not shop on Thanksgiving and maybe not even on Black Friday, doesn’t mean that it is wrong for anyone else. All I ask is that before you buy something this holiday season, ask yourself if it is something that you actually need.
