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I try not to hammer controversial subjects too often, but this week I felt led to probe the subject of Black Friday. I am writing this post on Black Friday after sleeping in until 8:45 AM (after an exhaustingly fun day with family on Thanksgiving), going to work at my horse job for a few hours in the morning, taking a nice ride with my dad and sisters when I got home, and doing some blogwork. It’s been kind of a normal-slash-vacation day. No, I didn’t go shopping. Here’s why:
Un: I wanted to sleep.
Deux: It is a madhouse out there.
Trois: I don’t need more stuff. Not that badly at least.
Quatre: I actually do have a moral objection to Black Friday.
That’s probably the point you’re most interested in. You are now either nodding your head, completely agreeing with me, or your hackles are raised and you are taking offense as I type. Don’t be offended – it isn’t becoming. There could also be a few levelheaded souls out there who are neither offended or agreeing but are waiting patiently for me to explain myself and convince you. I love you.
I have a moral objection to Black Friday because (in general) it is a day dedicated to the instantly-gratifying selfish accumulation of unneeded stuff. This does not apply to everyone. There are some people out there who use the deals of the day to buy things that they legitimately need at a much better price than they could usually get those items for. That’s actually a pretty logical idea (aside from the fact that you are still putting your person and your vehicle into an environment of heightened danger and still supporting the general day of selfish revelry in a way).
Help me understand this. We have a day dedicated to giving thanks for all the blessings we’ve been given (which is too often spent in self-indulgence and gluttony, but that’s a subject for another time), then we follow it with a day dedicated to accumulating more stuff! HOW DOES THAT EVEN MAKE SENSE? We live in a messed up world.
All I’m trying to say is that it seems rather hypocritical to observe a day of thanksgiving, then follow that with a selfish spending spree. Whether you actually have a good reason to be out shopping on Black Friday or not, think about the message you’re sending to the world by participating in the madness. Even if it’s not wrong to shop on Black Friday (especially at a common-sense hour for a common-sense reason), what kind of message could you send by making the choice to stay at home? Even if your peers never see, think about the message you could send your children by making a conscious choice not to participate in the world’s game. And even if you don’t have children, think about the message you could send yourself. That message just might be the most important.
Joanne says
Do y’all even know the origin of black Friday and what it means?????
Cassandra Holdeman says
While I do see your point of not shopping for collecting more “things,” understand that not everyone out there was shopping to fill their house with stuff or buy their kids pointless presents. I went out shopping yesterday with all the madness not because it is a day that I particularly enjoy shopping on, but because I had grandparents at my home to watch my kids while I shopped so I knew they were safe and spending time with loved ones. I also shopped because I was able to get good deals on items that my family needs which they will get for Christmas and I was able to save money doing it, receive store cash at many stores to use for future purchases (which I limit those purchases to the “reward bucks” I receive), and my hubby and I used it as a day to spend together taking our time through the stores picking out items and then deciding what are wants vs. needs. We spent much of our day discussing how well our Thanksgiving went, how much fun we had, and how we planned to open our home to many friends on Christmas like we did on Thanksgiving. We discussed ways we wanted to bless others because we have been blessed this year. Not once did we see a fight while we were out shopping and we used the opportunity of waiting in line to chit chat with those around us and make them smile. We also made sure that we told every single cashier/clerk that waited on us Merry Christmas since so many are not allowed to say that and to thank stores that were playing Christmas music. I probably could have done all the shopping from the comfort of my own home and gotten the same items, but I would not have had any interactions with strangers or clerks and you never know when your kind word or action may make someone’s day.
Anonymous says
I couldn’t agree more with Cassandra!
Jan Johnson says
I so so so agree with you! The materialism around the holidays makes me sick. For the last few years, I as a single adoptive mom have been struggling with illness and not being able to work hardly at all. Yet my sister is not speaking to me right now because I wouldn’t tell her a Christmas present I wanted because I said we needed toilet paper and paper towels and shampooo and heat! I said if she was going to spend money I would really like to have the money instead. Still, just like previous years, she argues – “Well everyone needs something pretty!” I asked her if she would enjoy a pretty gift if she didn’t have toilet paper or food for her kids. She got quite mad and said she was “just trying to brighten a dreary time.” Now she is not speaking to me. Sigh. When we did have money, I got the kids a couple of gifts and we tried to do something for others less fortunate instead of piles of presents. I hope we get to that point again someday.
Briana Thomas says
That is a wonderful idea, Jan.
Helen says
I usually stay home on Black Friday but I did brave the crowds at Fred Meyer yesterday. I went for the half price sale on an oil filled heater for the times we are gone overnight. We heat with wood stoves only, so the house is pretty cold in the winter after a night away. I am getting old enough to not like to come home to a cold house! And I have been wanting a shelving unit for a couple years and finally it was also half price. It sounded like most people were buying Christmas gifts. One lady said she got all her shopping done that day and could now sit back and enjoy Advent and Christmas without worries. I don’t think she was being greedy, she was being frugal!
theresa says
Havent figured out the frenzy that takes place in your states!! Over bath towels?? Really??! Guess some like shopping better than i do. With lots of company! I will stay safe at home n shop online! If i really need anything.
Cheryl Smith says
You would enjoy reading Joshua Becker’s latest post. You can find it here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/reclaimthanksgiving/
Have a blessed day, Briana!
Briana Thomas says
That’s a very good article; thanks for sharing!
Miriam says
I couldn’t agree more with this blog post! We live in such a materialistic society and it bothers me a lot that professing Christians are as caught up in this shopping craziness as the rest of the population. And when I hear a person bragging about how they “fought” with another person over some bath towels or some other great bargain, I shudder. All these stores have Black Friday deals online as well as Cyber Monday deals, so the sensible thing is to shop from the comfort of your home, IMO!
Briana Thomas says
Very good points, Miriam.
Darla says
I agree with u……after, of course, waiting to see ur reasons for objecting to Black Friday. 😉 And then I had to laugh because at the end of ur post is an advertisement for Blowout specials. Gotta love the irony.
Wishing u a wonderful wknd!
Briana Thomas says
Bahahaha…I can’t control those ads, unfortunately. That is funny though. I hope you have a great weekend too!