Black Friday? Do you...

Runcarla

...participate?

Though it IS promoted in Canada (where I live) I don't think it is as big a phenomena. This year I will be in the US, and I'm wondering if it is worth it (or even safe) to venture out of the house on the 27th?

8 years ago

General

34 replies

Latest reply was from carol3012

Anonymous

Yes. I do participate. It was an honored Holiday tradition that my Mom, Sister, and I shared. We got up at the break of dawn and arrived at the stores before they opened. That tradition has fallen by the wayside, but I still feel the excitement and anticipation I did then. I always participate as a nod to my Mom.

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I usually shop online only on Black Friday. Many years ago, I went with a friend for her family's holiday tradition of shopping Black Friday at King of Prussia mall (second largest mall in the US) and I think it scarred me permanently. I don't like crowds.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

No, never! I don't like crowds so I'm definitely not interested, plus I think it promotes over consumerism and forces store employees to work during what should be family time.

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I have noted a couple of retailers here in NZ promoting Black Friday which I think is fascinating as we don't celebrate Thanksgiving.

I wish we had taken on Thanksgiving rather than Halloween and Valentines Day - I love the sentiment behind Thanksgiving whereas I am much more dubious about the commercialism that has taken over the others here.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Most years I have some big purchase in mind (carseat, small appliances, cutlery, winter coat, etc.) and keep an eye on online sales around this time of year. Only online, though. No desire to weather the crowds to shop in person -- not worth it to me!

Other years, however, I've participated in Buy Nothing Day, and even stretched it to Buy Nothing Week a couple times (with Thanksgiving leftovers, even skipping groceries isn't hard!).

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

In person, absolutely not. It's already unpleasantly busy in stores around here all holiday season long; there's no way I'd subject myself to those kind of crowds. I was at the grocery store yesterday and it got so crowded I almost had a panic attack, and I'm pretty sure we were breaking fire code with all the lines reaching back into the main part of the store itself.

Online, I may have occasionally but usually during the long weekend or on cyber Monday rather than on Friday itself. Usually I do Buy Nothing Day (including no groceries or anything else) just as a way to cleanse my mental palate after the pre-thanksgiving craziness. Then maybe Small Business Saturday on Saturday just for the principle of the thing.

From what I've noticed, Black Friday on the day isn't really that big of a deal anymore. Stores are already offering sales and have been for a week or so, and online there are deals offered all the time,

8 years ago

Dee

Veteran

I always like to go out for a couple of hours. Nothing very early or that requires waiting in a line, so it's not as overwhelming.

Nowadays, I don't need to do a ton of big store Christmas shopping (we tend to do local, handmade or edible gifts for family) but I like to hit up a couple of shops or boutiques that are on the upper end of my price range, because then they tend to be *in* my price range for the day. I have fun browsing and window shopping. And then I grab a coffee and people watch for a bit, and come home.

8 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Yes, we had great success when our children were younger and as they each reached their teens they joined in. Now it's all about them and DH and I just go along to see their delight. It's wonderful memories in our family. I have never had any issues or felt unsafe. Some areas do end up on the news though.

8 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Ugh. It isn't a matter of feeling unsafe for me, but so many people behave so poorly that it just isn't worth it for me. I'd rather pay more for the privilege of shopping when I want to, without enormous crowds, and knowing that the item I want to purchase will be there. It is a common tactic for a store to advertise an item for a steeply discounted price and then to only have 5 of them on hand, so people rush for the same item and the bulk of them don't get it anyway.

Additionally, while I do love to shop, Thanksgiving weekend is family time for me. It is better spent for me by being with my kids and not trying to wake them at the crack of dawn and drag them shopping (given that I have two sons, and they aren't fond of shopping). I think the whole things has gotten out of hand with stores opening earlier and even being open on Thanksgiving; I'd rather not participate and encourage stores to do that.

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I used to get up at the crack of dawn and go out, but not anymore. Nowadays I just "click click" on the computer while still in my PJ's.

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I stay away from stores like the plague that day, though I will probably shop online. I have a very difficult time with crowds and noise, and I simply can't emotionally handle it.

8 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

I may shop online, but don't enjoy stores that are so crowded you can't see what's there. There are very few things I 'd chose to wait in line for and shopping is not on the list.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

We don't have it here in Australia, but I can tell I wouldn't like it from what I'm reading. I'm really not keen on crowds when it comes to shopping, and already find the weekend traffic too much at my local mall.

I did used to often shop the after Christmas sales, mainly because they coincided with a holiday (I mean vacation) in the city when I lived regionally and also because it often really becomes hot in late December, and the need for high summer clothing becomes pressing!
Before then I could get by without new summer clothes

8 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Not as a shopper; I'm always working.

8 years ago

Elle

Veteran

Never- hate the crowds. I'm planning to take a ballet class to work off the pie.

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Went one year and I got the very last one of what I wanted because it was hiding. Tried to go the next year and had to turn around because the backup to the mall was ten miles. I gave up then.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I might look online, but I wont go into town to B &M shops. Last year in the UK there was some dreadful behaviour reported in the news and people were even injured! Total madness!

8 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I am in Canada as well but have noticed every year there is more and more promoted here as black Friday. However there are no crowds that I know of. I do think there are some excellent bargains to be had - especially if you had your eye on something special. There is a good chance it is discounted today and tomorrow.
I would not be able to endure the madness in person. Online it is!

8 years ago

marianna

Veteran

I do not. I worked retail for too many years - I have no desire to battle crowds and parking lots. Much prefer to shop the sales online.

8 years ago

Summer

Veteran

Same as Diane. It's fairly new here in the UK, and last year was absolute Bedlam in some stores - very un-British! I'm keeping my distance!

8 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

This is not a big thing here, but from what is always reported in the news it would be my biggest nightmare. I hate crowds. And shopping malls in general stress me, even when they're almost empty. So I'd definitely stay at home!

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Lol, Black Friday is like the ultimate glorification of consumer culture. I feel like other countries are pointing at us and laughing. (...although it's a bigger deal for the Americans than for us. It wasn't really a thing in Canada until a few years ago, but I'm hearing a lot of Black Friday promotion these days).

I don't have a problem with people who like to participate, but I do think it's a shame that in the U.S. it forces many people to work during a time that should really be a holiday. It's your Thanksgiving! It's meant to be a time for family! But it's the pot calling the kettle black, because we do the exact same thing on Boxing Day up here in Canada. People go mental trying to get super cheap products, and the shops are packed. I never go because I refuse to get out of my pyjamas on Boxing day (when you're the mom, Christmas day is exhausting!), but I did in my youth a few times and it was kind of fun.

I don't want to rain on anyone's Black Friday parade, but it's worth being mindful of the consumerist excess it promotes.

8 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I don't. Mostly because of the parking.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Okay, up above I said how much I hate Black Friday - over consumerization, forcing employees to be working when they should be spending time with their families, etc.

Well, I'm spending Thanksgiving with my husband's family. We're staying with his elderly mother in a tiny town in the backwoods of Texas. There were no aprons in the kitchen, and I cannot cook without an apron. So we headed to Walmart, the only place to shop in this town, and had a hard time finding an apron. While we were searching, we talked with an 82 year old employee who is working on Thanksgiving. It was her choice! I was astounded. She is getting paid double time. She was totally lovely and completely charmed us.

8 years ago

retailgirl

Veteran

No way. I've worked retail for 45 years and can't wait until I retire for my first retail-free holiday. Working in retail really kills the spirit of the holidays for most associates.

8 years ago

Gail

Veteran

Never, I hate it, I stick to on line.

8 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I actually like brick & mortar shopping but not in crazy traffic and crowds. Also I work a lot of holidays and so when I don't have to, I try to do something that is related to family and relaxing. And may be OOT where I'd be happy to shop sometime, but not navigating Black Friday.

8 years ago

kerlyn

Veteran

Never! I can't stand crowds, and I'm not sure the deals are all they're cracked up to be. Also, I worked retail for a few years, so I got to experience the madness firsthand!

8 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Never. On-line with delight. I never liked New Year's or St. Patrick's Day in New York either.

8 years ago

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