Sunday, November 24, 2013

Black Friday and Gray Thursday



That's right.  This shopaholic actually does have a limit.  I will not shop on Thanksgiving.  This has gone too far.  I have always loved the "Black Friday" shopping tradition. For many years, mama and I would wake up early and be at the stores by 6 a.m. in order to catch a good sale and to participate in the frenzy.  It was always a fun way to kick off the Christmas season. 

Every year the store opening times moved closer and closer to Thanksgiving Day.  This year, many big stores are opening on Thanksgiving...already being called "Gray Thursday."  These retailers have taken the fun out of the tradition.  Walmart, Toys "R" Us, Best Buy, Kohl's, Kmart, and Target are among those retailers who desperately want the sales. Shoppers are looking for bargains, so the greed has now moved into one of the last few holidays we have have left to spend with our families.  I understand there are people who are buying items for their children and need bargains, but boo hiss on the greedy retailers for offering the doorbuster sales on such a family day!  

Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends and reflect on our blessings...enjoying the Thanksgiving meal, football, and the Thanksgiving Day parade.

So yes, the thrill is gone for me now and I won't even be shopping on "Black Friday."  I'll do my shopping on Cyber Monday!

What do y'all think?  Will you shop on "Gray Thursday" or wait until "Black Friday" or stay away from the madness completely?

10 comments:

Christine @ Suburban Charm said...

I agree with you that Thanksgiving is about family,and am not in favor of shopping on Thanksgiving Day. I am also too old to brave the crowds now on Black Friday and I do a lot of shopping online the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As a little girl, my brother and I would sit by the fireplace while my mom and grandmother were making dinner and we would page through the Sears toy catalog and make our Christmas lists for Santa. Can't imagine spending the day shopping and not being with my own children now, and my parents.

Jolyn said...

I so agree with every word you said...Enough is enough...I wont be doing Gray or Black...I start our Christmas Decorating on that Friday..I feel everything should be closed on a day like Thanksgiving and nothing open till after 7am. Enjoy your Thanksgiving day.

Blessing,
Jolyn

Tammy B said...

I totally agree. Stores should be closed on Thanksgiving.

Mona said...

No ma'am. No shopping on Thanksgiving, nor Black Friday!!
Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving Miss Janice.

Donna said...

Nothing is sacred these days when it comes to retail. You can bet that many folks will be out looking for that wonderful bargain, at the expense of spending time with the best gifts of all: their families. I wish you and yours a most Blessed Thanksgiving.

Kari said...

Shopping on Thanksgiving day is the limit! Shameful and selfish.
I am a Black Friday shopper, though. I always find fun, interesting items for
holiday entertaining, and lots of cute
little gifts. I don't shop for specifics ,
just buy what interests me. I really
do enjoy the semi- frenzy of the early
hours. Then it's lunch in a beautifully
decorated restaurant. And home. The season's officially started.

KittyLuvr said...

The best bargain is time with my family...no amount of savings can replace that! I won't be shopping on Thursday but will be spending the day with my newly widowed mother in law and the rest of our family.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you! I kind of don't know if I really like the whole "Black Friday" tradition anymore anyway. I feel like it has really made us lose sight of this point of this time of the year. It can be fun, because there's nothing wrong with shopping during this time, but I just feel like the spirit of the people has changed.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does not really like the whole "shopping on Thanksgiving" thing and definitely glad I'm not the only one not shopping on Black Friday. Let's take a stand ladies! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you! I kind of don't know if I really like the whole "Black Friday" tradition anymore anyway. I feel like it has really made us lose sight of this point of this time of the year. It can be fun, because there's nothing wrong with shopping during this time, but I just feel like the spirit of the people has changed.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does not really like the whole "shopping on Thanksgiving" thing and definitely glad I'm not the only one not shopping on Black Friday. Let's take a stand ladies! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you! I kind of don't know if I really like the whole "Black Friday" tradition anymore anyway. I feel like it has really made us lose sight of this point of this time of the year. It can be fun, because there's nothing wrong with shopping during this time, but I just feel like the spirit of the people has changed.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who does not really like the whole "shopping on Thanksgiving" thing and definitely glad I'm not the only one not shopping on Black Friday. Let's take a stand ladies! :)