Black Friday? No thanks.

I've never understood how the day that launches the Christmas holiday season should be burdened with the grim moniker "Black Friday."

Yes, I know sales receipts from this one day can determine a company's profit margins for the entire calendar year. But why should dictates of retailers and advertisers interrupt a traditional family holiday? Why can't another day or a series of days be designated for sales? Why do we, as consumers, allow big business to encroach on all-too-rare time alone with family and friends?

Thanksgiving was my favourite holiday, before crass commercialism overtook common sense. As anyone who's ever braved hordes of stressed shoppers can attest, buying gifts in such a fraught environment is not pleasant. It beggars belief that millions of people put themselves through hours of misery, just to save a few dollars. And most stores with an online presence - even in England - bombard our email inboxes offering "Black Friday" bargains. (At least no crowds come with these solicitations).

Holidays are meant to be pleasurable and relaxing, but "Black Friday" suggests the opposite. So I am kicking off the season with a string of celebratory lights and ignoring the endless encouragement to shop. What say you?

Comments

[Jeanne]

I love our Canadian Thanksgiving in October just sharing a wonderful meal together with love ones and counting our blessings.

Love Jeanne

[Colette]

I say it's madness. I've just returned from the U.S. where we were subjected to "Grey Thursday". It seems Black Friday now begins on Thanksgiving Day. And my British relatives are gobsmacked that it has hit the U.K. It needs to stop!

[jeanie]

So well said -- I think many would agree with you -- I know I do. I do like the "Shop Local" movement that has sprung up here -- it's on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the idea is to support the small businesses. Me? Apart from here to Rick's and back, I haven't ventured out except to get greens to fill Christmas urns. I don't need that mess!

[Vicki in Michigan]

I find myself baffled by what seems to me the ever-increasing push to sell, Sell, SELL (and to buy, Buy, BUY).......

I can't help but think we'd all be better off if we had fewer, less-mass-produced things..........

I wrote checks to charities, yesterday, but did no shopping.

[Marilyn]

I have never been a Black Friday shopper, but I must admit mid morning today I did go to my market where they had socks for 50% off. Since I very much needed some new socks I stopped by and it was very calm. At the cash register the checker guy said they expected it to more. I was glad it wasn't and I got my socks and left. I did tell the checker that I was disappointed the store was open for half a day on Thanksgiving.

[Sebastian Veldhuizen]

So well said. I fully agree. We do not need more "stuff". Coffins don't come with trailer hitches.

[Mary H.]

I say you are preaching to the choir as far as I am concerned! Peace on earth and goodwill to man certainly is a passing thought to most shoppers this time of year. I understand donations are up during the holiday season but food banks, children's welfare societies and animal rescues need and appreciate donations the entire year-not only the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

[Helen]

I so agree with you. I dislike the term as well. Having worked in retail when I was young in Manhattan and CT, I can honestly say that times have changed and not for the better. The fun of shopping for someone has been replaced with aggressive marketing and chaos.

On the other hand, not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, and some people do like to work and make the extra money. I would not take that choice away from them. However, I would make that a choice and not mandatory to keep one's job.

The older I get, the harder it is to understand what motivates people to put commercialism over tradition.