People Give Thanks To Black Friday
Arick Ames
Opinion Editor
The infamous Thanksgiving break shopping spree, Black Friday, has taken control of the holidays. The long weekend everyone gets for “fall break” has gone from spending time with family and friends at the dinner table to spending time with strangers in a mile long line for the biggest sale on the newest gadget.
Originally, Black Friday was was really meant for a Friday, but, as the years go by, Black Friday keeps getting pushed back earlier. This year, it began on Thanksgiving day at six o’clock. How do businesses expect to have customers when, at six o'clock, people are just sitting down to eat?
Nonetheless, there were still lines and crowds of people showing up at stores. With countless news stories on how people were injured because they were trampled or got into a nasty fight over the last toy or piece of clothing, one would wonder why that sounds appealing, but no one seemed to disappoint in that aspect.
Comscore - a leading internet technology company - stated that spending increased 32 percent on Thanksgiving day. A rise from $1.01 billion to $1.5 billion on Black Friday. Those billions of dollars that are being spent could easily go to something more worthwhile and obviously doesn’t help the debt crisis we have going on right now as a country.
Even though there has been a steady incline in spending in general, the percentage of buyers physically going to stores has declined, while online shopping has increased.
The famous day of online spending during the holidays that is sweeping the nation, just as bad as Black Friday, is Cyber Monday. A majority of websites that sell merchandise have huge sales online. With technology use becoming more of a necessity, each time a new phone, tablet or computer is released, it is quite common for shoppers to localize their purchases to strictly online.
For the most part, online shopping sounds easier, safer and more beneficial than actually going to a store. In addition to the fact that one has to leave their house to obtain their merchandise, now there’s no worry about missing the traditional family feast.
When it comes down to it, America seems to be full of greedy, money hungry people who only care about getting that new, popular “toy”. Although, the majority of people attending Black Friday are there to get gifts for their loved ones. So, maybe it isn’t as bad as it seems.
Still, people need to remember what the holidays are really meant for: a time to give thanks and blessings for all the wonderful things in life. Many take what they have for granted, so next year, and for the rest of the holidays to come, think about what is important in life. Spend wisely and show some gratitude.
