Black Friday Madness

Watch out.  I'm about to get on my soapbox.  And it ain't gonna be pretty.

Now, I've never been a big Black Friday shopper.  Years of working in retail has ruined it for me.  But every year, the stores get a little crazier.  I remember the first year that stores opened at 6am.  I remember it being a big deal.   Because in my personal experience, no one hit the mall until at least 8am.  Everyone was in a tryptophan hangover.  Who wanted to get up that early to go shopping??

And then there was the year that Walmart opened at 5am.  WHAT??  That's ridiculous!!  But apparently there were some people out there that thought it was pretty cool, so they kept doing it.  And every year it gets earlier and earlier.  And it's not just your major retailers anymore.  Places like Michael's and GNC are opening at the crack of dawn.

My thought was, "Whatever.  Let the crazy people get up at the un-godly hour of 3am to save $50 on a tv.  What do I care?"

But this year has officially crossed the line.  Stores are opening on Thanksgiving this year.  What do you absolutely need to buy so badly that you are willing to interrupt a holiday for?  Furry boots??  No thanks, Old Navy.

I guess I don't understand why people aren't more upset.  Thanksgiving is a day for family, not deal hunting.  Consumerism has completely taken over most other holidays, so I guess it was only a matter of time...

There is one place that is taking a stand this year.  Paramus, New Jersey has laid down the law and will not allow stores to be open ridiculously extended hours in their municipality.  Curfew is 10p and early risers won't find anything open until the respectable hour of 7a. 

I applaud their initiative and wish more cities would take a stand.  My heart goes out to all the poor souls that will have to work this holiday instead of enjoying time with their loved ones.  Not so long ago, retailers were closed on Sunday.  Every Sunday.  It was a day of rest.  A day for family.  Now we can't even get that on Thanksgiving.

What are your plans for the holiday weekend?  Will you be hitting the stores?  What deals are you ready to throw down for?