The annual frenzy of Black Friday sales is once again upon us. Uncontrollable excitement seems to have gripped everyone as floods of advertisements across newspapers and countless commercials from big brands saturate our media, promising unparalleled deals.
Among my acquaintances and family, the chatter is all about their shopping plans starting from the stroke of midnight on Thanksgiving Day. Indeed, the stores that open doors on this day have garnered considerable media attention.
However, it leaves me pondering over the significance of Thanksgiving when the limelight appears to be on shopping extravaganzas rather than expressing gratitude. Having spent two years out of the country, I find it difficult to share the enthusiasm around Black Friday. Surely, it’s not all bad – it could be the perfect time to score that electronic gadget you’ve been eyeing, potentially saving a hefty sum. Yet, I find myself unable to grasp the thrill behind acquiring mountains of goods, which for the most part ultimately end up becoming clutter, or toys that kids lose interest in within a matter of months.
A major deterrent to joining this shopping madness, for me, is the inevitable swarm of crowds. The thought of standing in a queue snaking endless shopping carts, or grappling with rival shoppers for the last discounted Barbie, simply doesn’t appeal to me. Though some shoppers derive pleasure from it, the entire event isn’t to my taste. Being pregnant merely heightens my aversion to these vast crowds and the accompanying chaos.
Moreover, with the advent of the internet and the surge in online deals throughout the ongoing sale weekend, the allure of Black Friday shopping dims. Personally, I’m inclined towards online purchases and the proposition of Cyber Monday sales, or the continued Black Friday deals over the weekend, is far more appealing. Sure, you might forgo the extra discount offered to the first few physical store visitors. However, you have the luxury of shopping cosily from your home, perhaps sipping a hot chocolate, a rarity amidst the throng of hundreds in a Wal-Mart store.
In the face of a deluge of Black Friday posts from other finance bloggers highlighting the best deals, I choose to refrain from joining in, opting instead to endorse a minimalist Christmas devoid of excessive purchases.
We’ve been losing sight of the essence of this holiday – expressing gratitude for our blessings, rather than cramming our shopping carts at dawn. So, are you planning to hit the stores on Black Friday, too?
Photo Credit: www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
