I love Christmas shopping for the people I love, but there are just some things I won’t do for them, and shopping the day after Thanksgiving is one of them. I have 8 reasons why shopping on Black Friday just isn’t worth it anymore.
I think in all the years of making my own money… I have only bought 1 or 2 things on the most shopped day of the year… the day after Thanksgiving. A DVD player when I was 19 working retail at Walmart. I bought it during my break because I had no way to watch movies at home and I didn’t have cable.
A couple of years ago I bought a cheap tablet for Mikayla for Christmas. Other than that I couldn’t tell you the last time I wanted to rush to the store Thanksgiving evening or that actual Friday.
It gets earlier and earlier every year
Since I was little I would say 9 or 10 Black Friday started the FRIDAY after Thanksgiving which is on a THURSDAY! Then it went to Thanksgiving evening. I am now 36 and I have seen some deals start at the beginning of November. I have worked this day once and I will NEVER do it again… Don’t make it earlier. You are guaranteeing people HAVE to work on that day because of your corporate greed.
I guess this year a lot of stores will start the Sales November 21st – 27th and have in-store sales from Sunday – Wednesday. Then will be closed for Thanksgiving but have online sales still going on. Then continue the online/in-store sales Friday-Sunday.
I guess that is better than in previous years. At least employees will have the day off.
Black Friday should only be one day!
It’s all the same crap
It is all the same shit every year. TVs, video games, consoles, headphones. Howard Schaffer, general manager of Offers.com “We found about half the products featured on doorbusters from various retailers last year had a three-star or lower rating on Amazon,” Schaffer said. “Don’t fall into the marketing trap. Invest your money in tech products at another time of the year.” The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2014 and 2015 Target’s circular was nearly identical in 2014 and 2015. No BIG SHOCKER there!
Black Friday deals aren’t worth it
Have you noticed that it is always the cheap brands that have the best prices? You always see the brands ONN, RCA, or Element… When was the last time you saw a REALLY good deal on a Samsung, Sony, or LG? Target has a Samsung 55″ Smart 4K Crystal HDR UHD TV on sale for 479.99. The regular price is 499.99… Really 20 bucks off?
People are crazy
I remember growing up hearing stories of people being trampled on looking for the hottest toy of the year. The New York Post reported that “Between 2006 and 2018, according to the Hustle, 44 Black Friday incidents in America left 11 dead and 109 injured — including one man who brought home a shattered hip after being shoved into a shelf of cut-rate presents.”
From what I have seen these past few years it hasn’t been as bad, but still, people are effin crazy. Mike and I have a new tradition because our Christmas shopping is normally done in October. We go into stores not to buy anything, but to just look around and people-watch. We make a whole date night out of it. Grab ourselves an iced coffee and walk around. Sometimes it can be very fun and others we make the mistake of buying something… not Black Friday related…
Long Lines
Never will we make that mistake again! The lines are ridiculously long. Mike and I decided a few years ago it would be fun to spend the night playing canasta, but we needed a pack of playing cards. We headed to Walmart picked up our cards and headed to the check-out line which happened to be all the way back into toys. We waited in line for god knows how long for a 2 pack of playing cards.
It makes for a fun memory, but that is crazy they didn’t have an express lane for people with 10 items or less. That would really come in handy.
Family Traditions
I want to thank the stars that this type of corporate greed never ruined our family traditions growing up. We never decorated for Christmas until after eating Thanksgiving dinner. The tree went up that night and my brother-in-law would start putting up the outside lights on Friday either before or after we went shopping… IF WE DID. That was the best part of Thanksgiving it was the turning point that Christmas was right around the corner. We as kids looked forward to that day.
I am thankful that shopping on Friday did not have a big presence in my life growing up. I never felt that a shopping day was more important than me or putting up our Christmas tree.
Nowadays I see babies and toddlers out at midnight or later on these shopping days. Smooshed in a shopping cart surrounded by a bunch of boxes.
My family traditions have changed a lot since I was a kid, but the one thing that still stands is we are home Thanksgiving night.
Cyber Monday
When Cyber Monday started in 2005 that was godsent. Over the years I have utilized online shopping and have gotten better deals online for stuff. That is how I got internet at my house in 2016 I think?? Give or take a year or 2. That was a Christmas present for me and Mike. LOL
Verizon had a deal a 2-year contract for 40 bucks a month. Here we are 5 years later and I still have Verizon. My bill has only gone up a little bit since being with them.
Less stress
With the circular ads being the same every year I don’t worry about what sales are going on. I buy presents throughout the year if I need to. If not I start shopping in August and I am done by October. Especially now the kids are getting older they aren’t into the hottest toy of the year… It relieves so much stress when you don’t try and do all your Christmas shopping at once. Not to mention your bank account or credit card will thank you later.
I am all about less stress in the holiday season. Get it done early sit back and relax. Doesn’t that sound good to you? To me shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving just isn’t worth it. It has never been my thing. I am glad it’s not Mike’s thing either. Are you guys into shopping on Black Friday? Is it worth it to you? Let me know in the comments.
Until Next Time, Have a Great Day! Remember you are a badass!
I completely agree Michele. But we don’t celebrate Christmas or any of the traditional holidays. No fuss, no bother. But also no kids 😊
Yeah if Mike didn’t have kids I probably wouldn’t bother with Christmas.
I had no intention of buying anything in the Black Friday sales but did see a Harry Potter Lego set at a great price and I bought it. I only saved £10 but but £10 in my bank is better than anywhere else.
I am still seeing Black Friday deals today, they should only last until midnight on Friday!
I heard something on TV, a money expert said 99 point something percent of Black Friday deals appeared cheaper earlier in the year. They just bump the prices up at the end of October when people start shopping for Christmas and then on Black Friday they think they are getting a good deal.
I bought nothing on black friday! Nothing interested me.