Boycott

I'm boycotting Black Friday this year

There are multiple reasons for this...here are a couple:
1) Black Friday now interrupts Thanksgiving
2) I would rather support local businesses than the big chains
3) To be honest, being trampled is not on the list of things that I consider fun

For the first two Thanksgivings of our marriage, Chris and I negotiated what it meant to be a part of a family where one of the members works in retail.  This meant adjusting our schedule so that Chris could get enough sleep to make it through Black Friday eve.  Basically, we didn't get much of a Thanksgiving.  And while it was nice that Chris was making a bit extra for working on the holiday, I would have much rather had him home for the whole day.

I don't fault retailers for seizing on an opportunity to increase their profits. I don't fault consumers for wanting to benefit from what can be some pretty awesome deals.

HOWEVER -

I DO fault retailers for pulling their employees away from their families on Thanksgiving for the sake of the almighty dollar.

I DO fault consumers who choose to give in to the lure of the doorbuster deals to end Thanksgiving early.  Before all this opening on Thanksgiving craziness, the deals were just as good at 5am on Black Friday.

Look, I get that we live in an increasingly secular society.  But there is one day out of the year that regardless of your religious affiliation, or lack there of, we can all agree is a sacred day.  And that's Thanksgiving.  You don't need to believe in God to be thankful for what you have.  So why can't we go back a couple years and make a stand for Thanksgiving.  Make a stand for the one day of the year when folks can come together in whatever way makes the day special, whether it's around a turkey, or a ham, whether it's watching football and enjoying a beer or two, or doing your best to keep your cool with the in-laws (hey, I never said the day was perfect).

Go nuts on Black Friday, but leave Thanksgiving alone.

Please and Thank you.