Every year, post-Thanksgiving is anything but restful. Rather than sleeping in late, staying at home and enjoying leftover turkey, I rush out to go shopping! Black Friday is a game for me, where I travel into the depths of the unknown, searching for the best deals possible and Christmas gifts for my family. While getting up early hoping to catch the doorbuster deals isn’t for everyone, it’s a tradition I anticipate all year.
When I get to my favorite store, the first thing I do is dash to the clothing section to pick out my outfit for the winter strings concert. Then, it’s off to the food section to pick out some candied confections as gifts for my family. This particular year, my mother and I couldn’t make up our minds about what we wanted to buy and ultimately needed to return to the same cashier four times to complete our purchases. I still remember the look of shock on her face on our fourth trip to the register, especially since we had just assured her that we were done, and ready to leave the store. My next stop is a quick visit to the Holiday section to scout out any decorations I want to buy for my home. Afterwards, I head downstairs, weaving through the various makeup vendors and jewelry sellers, before finally reaching the doors to the outside world. While some would think this is an ideal time to go home, I head on to the next store and the next store, repeating the process over and over. I couldn’t imagine a year without the unofficial shopping holiday I’ve come to love.
In recent years, I and many others have felt a change in Black Friday. Gone are the days of people mobbing stores like rabid animals in scenes that resemble something from a nature documentary. Rather, many people opt to shop online in the comfort of their own homes. This greatly perplexes me as someone who enjoys the traditional setting of a brick-and-mortar shop. I love the electric thrum of the crowd, all looking forward to the brightness and cheer of the holiday season. There’s nothing like walking through racks of clothing, touching the fabric with my own hands, and getting sprayed with perfume in the cosmetics section. I can’t imagine shopping online because I would not be able to experience these sensations.
While more effort is required for in-store shopping, I believe that that effort is worth it. I find it deeply satisfying to wrap my presents the minute I get home while replaying the day’s adventures in my mind. I cannot imagine trading in the Black Friday experience for a less sensory-stimulating at-home version. I wholeheartedly recommend going outside to a real store to truly experience Black Friday.
