#MamasMashup: Black Friday Shopping – Overboard or On Board?

Welcome to another edition of Mamas Mashup! Thank you so much to everyone that joined us last week when we dished about co-sleeping. Each Monday, Heather Hopson (Diary of a First Time Mom), Sheree Adams (Smart N Sassy Mom) and I will tackle hot topics submitted by you, the reader, and agree to disagree. We’ll take turns hosting the Mamas Mashup on our individual sites and dish about everything from spanking and breastfeeding to co-sleeping and homeschooling.

We’ll continue the chat online using #mamasmashup. Don’t forget to use this hashtag so that we can actually see and reply to your comments. Who’s side will you take? Join the conversation today! Follow us on Twitter (@MamasMashup) & Facebook. You can also email your topic ideas to mamasmashup@gmail.com

Today’s topic of discussion is: Black Friday Shopping.  Do you love the fact that stores are opening up so early, or do you stay as far away from stores the day after #Thanksgiving?

mama

Christine: Ok so last year I wrote a piece about why I don’t go shopping on Black Friday. I thought it was out of control then. But now…it’s just getting ridiculous. Did y’all know that some stores are opening up at 9am….ON Thanksgiving Day??? So instead of spending this holiday with their families, employees are being forced (now more than ever) to go to work or risk losing their jobs. I know they (employers) are only catering to what the market demands, but geesh!

Sheree: I’m not going to act like I’ve never been shopping on Black Friday, nor will I say that I will never go again. Anything in moderation is not a killer.

What is a killer is people mobbing each over TVs a couple of hours after giving “thanks” for their many blessings. It sends the wrong message to the kids, who by the way shouldn’t even be out there in all that mess in the first place. I love a good sale, so thank God for Cyber Monday!

Heather: I feel bad that people have to work on a holiday, but that comes with the job. When I was a television reporter, I worked every holiday except Christmas, and that’s only because my Jewish friends covered the shift. Once I called off on Easter due to my grandmother’s wishes. I didn’t get fired. Companies aren’t saying don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. You can opt to stay home, or perhaps you can serve dinner a bit earlier.

Can’t blame a company when customers are buying what they’re selling. Heck, after dinner last year, my daughter and I went to Target. It’s up to me to set my budget and not go into debt to make  Christmas merry. By the way, my toddler’s favorite game didn’t cost a dime. We play pretend.

Christine: I agree with Sheree. I’ve never been a fan of shopping in big crowds, so I’ve honestly done the Black Friday shopping one time and that was enough for me. It wasn’t worth all the hoopla.

I just feel like the essense of the holiday season equating to family time is slowly being pushed to the wayside. I wonder what would happen if people boycotted Black Friday (which we shall now call Thanksgiving shopping day) for one year?

Sheree: You know what? They [stores/society] are really over-commercializing the holiday and I think it makes us forget the reason for the season. I, personally, think that it smells of “desperation” to get sales and that just sickens me. On top of that, the fact that stores opening and making people work on Thanksgiving is horrible. Just HORRIBLE.

Heather: So is it the company or the customer that’s out of line? Walmart isn’t forcing you to break the bank, live in yo’ mama’s basement and drive a car that costs more than my yearly college tuition. Major chains aren’t cancelling Thanksgiving.It’s a business. I’ve even shopped on Christmas. Not at the mall, but I’ve gotten gas and even a last-minute gift card in a convenience store. That doesn’t mean I don’t know the reason for the season. Wonder what would Jesus do?

Christine: Ok Heather, I think that’s a bit much. Getting gas and going on a shopping spree are two totally different things. What would Jesus do about all this crazy shopping? I think we already know. LOL Honestly ladies I really think that’s the problem: the over-commercializing aspect, which leads to greed and people forgetting the true reason for the season.

So what do you think moms? Has Black Friday shopping gone overboard or are you on board with it? Let us know in the comments and then follow the conversation on Twitter using #MamasMashup

 

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10 Comments

  • T. Espinoza
    November 25, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    LOL It’s funny how Heather keeps getting put on time-out. I agree with Christine and Sheree. It’s way out of control. I blame the companies. Stores close all the time and customers deal. Chick-fil-a is closed every Sunday and I’m guessing it hasn’t hurt their bottom line. I agree with Sheree in that it reeks of desperation. At the very least, close the brick and mortar store on Thanksgiving day and offer online deals.

    • Heather H
      November 26, 2013 at 1:45 AM

      lol…IKR. For weeks in a row, they tag team against me! Blame the companies? Why not blame the customers keeping these chains in business? No one’s forcing people to shop. If no one showed up, CEOs would move the day to Saturday!
      Heather H would like you to check out…6 Potty Training Charts to Reward Your ToddlerMy Profile

  • Kim Ikemia Arrington
    November 25, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    I don't think black Friday is worth it if you are looking for real shopping..if you doing it for the thrill,for the fun of it or for an item that you won't be heartbroken to leave, then that's a different story. Online is the way to go for me these days.

  • Ronnie Harris Tyler
    November 25, 2013 at 6:38 PM

    I did Black Friday one time….it was the worst and I really could not keep up with all of the serious shoppers. I think it could be fun if you go with your girlfriends and shop and have lunch…but aren't really pressed about the sales. Last year, I shopped online on Thanksgiving night and on Black Friday…there were some good deals.

    I feel sad about the stores opening on Thanksgiving day…it really does steal the focus of the Holiday. But it's like we are all going along with it. …so I guess they are going to keep doing it as long as we keep buying.

  • Drea
    November 25, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    I don’t like shopping with hoards of people all clamoring for a new computer/ video game/ elmo. More importantly, I detest these companies promoting “Pre-Black Friday” sales on Thanksgiving Day. People should be at home with their families. Yes, there are professions which call for people to have to work (e.g. doctor/nurse, police officer, etc.) but my local supermarket cashier and the stock associates at your favorite big-box stores are not what I would deem essential personnell on a holiday. So, as I state every year, I’m black every Friday; I’ll shop when I want to 😀

  • Bessie Taylor Jett
    November 25, 2013 at 7:39 PM

    Amen – stop shopping and enjoy ones family. I think they mark the prices up and set lower prices.

  • DeAnna Troupe
    November 26, 2013 at 12:04 AM

    I think this whole thing is getting completely out of control. I tolerated Black Friday but I think making employees have to choose between their families or their jobs is overkill. You really don’t need EVERY employee to be scheduled to work. It should be management only.
    DeAnna Troupe would like you to check out…What to do if you wind up in Facebook jail.My Profile

    • Heather H
      November 26, 2013 at 1:50 AM

      I hated working on the holidays, but it came with the job. Now, that I have a little one, I switched careers to work Monday through Friday, 9-5. Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t have that option. Not sure if folks are being forced to work or get fired. remember, a lot of people opt to take on a second job for the holidays, extra money & discounts. Some people actually want to be there. When I worked retail, I loved when the stores were packed. Some folks are making overtime & commission. Not everyone wants to be at home for the holidays. I do though! lol I will agree that folks act out of control. I saw a picture of an old lady being knocked down on the ground as folks stampeded the door.
      Heather H would like you to check out…6 Potty Training Charts to Reward Your ToddlerMy Profile

  • Kirstin (aka the travelin diva)
    November 26, 2013 at 1:37 AM

    I agree with Ronnie! The best way to do it is to make it fun with girlfriends, Aunts or your sister(s). That’s what we do after dinner. The men watch the kids or shall we say the kids watch themselves/play games lol and the ladies head to our favorite outlet mall and shop for special treats for ourselves. I mean gifts for the family. 🙂

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