Viewpoint by Heather Bench/reporter
Black Friday, the retail name to describe shopping the day after Thanksgiving, can be the worst or the best day of the year to shop. For me, it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.
I didn’t have any idea what Black Friday was when I was younger. The day after Thanksgiving simply meant eating leftovers and spending time with family I didn’t see during the year.
Now, the day after Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning. It’s a day of stress, but it’s definitely worth it to find the best shopping deals.
I try to shop on this day every year.
On Black Friday, department stores and retailers offer huge sales and deals. The day is called “black” because the retailers finally make a profit for the year with big things like longer store hours and lower prices.
In addition to being one of the busiest shopping days of the year, it marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season.
And I love Christmas.
All kinds of stores offer thousands of sales. If shoppers get to the stores anytime after noon, they face chaos with lines of people, few parking spots, even shoplifting. But what is chaos to some people is just another shopping day for me.
When I go shopping on Black Friday, I try to get up early to beat the afternoon rush and get the gifts I want before they are all sold.
When I picked out new pans for my dad this year, that I knew he really needed, I couldn’t wait to see his face. And the fact that I saved a good 40 percent on them makes me smile as well.
Black Friday can be hectic to most people, but not me. I look forward to this day all year round, and this year was no different.
When you find the gifts you want at a good price, the whole day seems worth it in the end.
