Black Friday has always been a "No Go" for my family and I.

There are so many other things to do the day after Thanksgiving besides get into a mob of people...
...and what exactly is the point of giving thanks for what we have on Thursday when you're just going to go out and get more on Friday?

Besides that, it's much easier to do any necessary shopping online for family/friends who are far away - or stop into a shop or two on the way home from the office on a weekday evening when there are far fewer crowds in the stores - the service is better too.

Absolutely, positively, no freaking way. No "deal" in the world is enough to make me go out...it's just stuff, and it's just money. I do all my holiday shopping hassle-free online.

It's a go!

I'm sorry to be such a downer, but I hate what the Thanksgiving holiday has become--a day of eating to excess followed by a day of shopping to excess.

To me this picture captures what is wrong with our country--people struggling under their own (increasing) weight, doing what they're "supposed" to do without thinking about the why. None of them look like they are having any fun at all. And I find the fact that the "black Friday" retail strategy has become an actual tradition for many families just sad.

So no, you won't find me at the malls on Friday. Sorry.

No way. The very thought of it gives me hives. Crowds mania shopping = total nightmare.

Normally I would not go out b/c at this point I have switched to online shopping and you can score some really great deals online now, however this year is different because I am building a house and my washer and dryer has to stay with my apartment that I am moving from, some stores are offering a washer and dryer for $500 total, this is something I cannot pass up, so I will be out there in line at 4 am to get my washer and dryer for only $500.

For those who like to stay at home, spend that time enjoying your families preparing for the upcoming holidays and eating leftovers!

I was on the other side for over 15 years- toy store mgmt. Stay home. Unless there is one thing that you really really want, it's half off or better, it's very limited or you just crave madness - it's not worth it. Most places will have fantastic sales and deals in a few weeks anyway-without the risk of being trampled.

I observe Buy Nothing Day and do not recognize this "Black Friday". I'm planning to spend the day eating leftovers and working on holiday letters.

I can almost always find better deals online if I just keep my eye on the deal sites for gifts I'm planning on buying. I see no point in fighting the crowds on Black Friday.

You could not pay me enough to do the whole "black friday" thing! I am far from wealthy, but there are limits to what I will do for a deal... spending a day in crowded retail stores is not one of them...

On Black Friday, I HIDE.

I moved to SF last November and made the mistake of going downtown on Black Friday. People thronged the street--I don't think I've ever see such a mass of humanity in one place. My vote is with those staying home, enjoying their day off and feasting on leftovers. Take a hike or go to the beach but I repeat avoid the retail sector altogether!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you actually need something? Then maybe it's worth trying to find a bargain. But if you're just in search of more "stuff", the idea is really lame.

NO NEVER ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Being a former retail store manager who spent 8 years of my life working that day and observing the nonsense, I would never.

I think Black Friday is about deals for a very small percentage of people, and the rest is just people who just want to be part of the chaos. I hate to say it, but I feel sorry for the people who buy into it. Working retail really enlightens you, to the mindless consumerism of others and yourself.

I like staying home and shopping online. I can usually knock out most of my Christmas list this way. My mom and sisters are trying to persuade me to go this Friday, and I'm already nervous about it. I hate crowds and there's nothing worse than a crowded mall the day after Thanksgiving.

NO GO! unless i know specifically what i want, and i'm just going there to get that item, then NO way i even want to leave my home. i live next to a major mall in my area and main freeway. i dont think i can leave! guess i'll just have to stay home and relax :)

Why? I truly feel sorry for the workers who have to be there to put up with this rubbish.

There are stores here opening at 3am. THREE in the morning. Why?

No, I will not be sucked into 'Black Friday' or Pink Tuesday. I'm not buying presents this year, everyone gets a card.

no. never. times a bazillion. aside from vital organs and other life-saving devices, there is nothing on this planet worth standing in long lines for.

i'm 35 years old and i've never participated in the black friday shakedown. every year it gets more out of control than the last.

i like to spend the day gathering supplies to make my gifts, ie checking to make sure i have plenty of ink left in the printer, and narrowing down the project list from the dozens i've saved on my computer (thanks at!).

No way in living hell. Noise. Fat people. Rude people on cell phones. Cranky, screaming brats. Grotesque marketing and music. People spending money they don’t have.

They should be going to the gym...

Interesting how this is morphing into an indictment of the overweight ;-)

Nope, I'm going to be adding things to my etsy store, which will be filled with fantastic vintage wonders for cheap giving!

/end shameless plug

A former retail reporter can vow - the best deals to be had are only if:
1. You have allocated a proper budget.
2. Stay within that budget.
3. Have a list and stick to it.

Finally sources at NPD once told me the only great deals are typically for electronics. The rest are to get you out, get you sidetracked and then getting you to buy.

The group psychology theories play into this as well. When you see everyone spending, you start getting primal urges to do the same.
Personally, I think it's the best time to ski - since no one is around!

My layoffs are killin' me, man! Only grocery shopping for me!

no. I will shop in some local (uncrazy) shops if the weather is good just because I haven't done any christmas shopping yet at all

I went ONCE. And it was to Best Buy for a $150 e-machine deal. My Hubby and I needed new computers. We felt like we were being trampled when the doors opened. NEVER again.

A few years ago my sister just moved to New York & was living in an apartment right across from the main Macy's (opposite Grand Central? I'm obviously not from NYC). Anyway, I went to visit her on the Thanksgiving weekend & we decided to venture out to see what Black Friday is all about. Macy's on Black Friday was sheer madness, it was like the whole city was there to meet the President, and there was enough security there for the president. We lost each other for a few hours, followed by a tearful reunion. That was my first & last Black Friday experience.

I've done it, but not this year. I bought a bunch of gifts last year from www.thehungersite.org store and I gave really great items that also helped charity. This year I'm moving (on the 30th--yikes!) and the rule is nothing except for necessary food and toiletries are allowed in at this point. I feel so sorry for the people who work in places like Kohl's that opens at 4. Can you imagine hosting Thanksgiving dinner and then having to get up at 3am for work the next day? No, I will not support a company that does that to it's employees.

I go for the very early part of the morning on a mission for things like pajama pants, tank tops and gloves that are usually 50% off, armed with my other 20% of coupon that 70% is usually a great deal. There is something I love about the tradition of enjoying a great cup of coffee at 6am in the middle of Herald Square and watching holiday shoppers out and about. I'm usually home by 9am and ready to crawl back into bed. I don't think I could handle the later part of the morning and definitely not the afternoon. Whatever you do, enjoy your tradition.

To me, it's a 'sheeple' tactic the advertisers and stores use. I don't like shopping in malls and crowds so I put if off. Some people, as a tradition, shop on black Friday...but it's definitely not for me. People get too nutty! Thank god for online buying.

"Macy's (opposite Grand Central?...)"

Macy's is on Herald Square - which is the intersection of West 34th Street (hence "Miracle on 34th Street"), Broadway and 6th Avenue - just a 8 blocks down from Times Square at Broadway and 42nd Street at 7th Avenue.

Grand Central is on 42nd and Park Avenue.

I still have nightmares about 'Black Friday' from my days in retail... I can't think of a single thing that I need to buy for myself or anyone else at 4 a.m.

However-- If you find joy in giving, but not in the giving of useless stuff, please visit www.alternativegifts.org. You can pick a project to support in honor of a friend or family member. I am buying a share of home-building materials for a needy family in Nicaragua in honor of my contractor hubby and an educational scholarship for a Kenyan girl from a nomadic family in honor of my mom, a recently retired teacher...

I should mention that I work there, and I don't have nightmares anymore.

Absolutely NOT!

I'm almost done with my shopping. I purchased modest gifts from local producers for most of the folks on my list. I must confess, I do hit the Target at 0600 on 12/26 armed with coupons and a discount card, and knowledge of recent inventory. Many of the cheap items can be used year round - cloth napkins, paper towels, tablecloths, serving pieces, candles, etc.

For me, there is only ever one really good reason to get up at 4 a.m. and it's to hop on a plane to someone else's country in order to be able to lay out on a gorgeous beach by 3 p.m. Especially when I'd trudging through a terribly, snowy, and gray winter. Black Friday just doesn't fall into this category.

when I worked at Express the rule was you HAD to work for at least some part of Black Friday. No excuses. To their credit, the management tried to make it "fun" by having a giant potluck in the break room. I didn't make it to the potluck. I had a ticket to fly back east and celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. Some of the managers totally understood, but the head honcho's didn't. It took some time for them to finally forgive and forget about my "one day break." Other than that I was an exceptional employee- knew the merchandise inside and out, and never had a tardy mark to my name. Guess for retail, Black Friday is just THAT important.

All that said, some employees might appreciate the extra and/or overtime. Thanksgiving doesn't mean as much to every person as it does to me and my family.

nope. not worth the hassle of terrible drivers, trying to find parking, the MESS of people in stores, or feeling absolutely horrendous about myself for being part of the reason stores feel the need to open as early (or would you say as late) as midnight on thanksgiving.

the commercials by walmart about the mom who doesnt want to chase deals bc she'd rather be "telling stories by the tree" really bums me out -- i am far from unmaterialistic and i like nice things and hightech toys as much as the next person, but if you are sacrificing time you see as extremely valuable with your kids or family to go buy something, that's pretty sad.

I'll stay home, thanks. Remember this?

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/archives/2009/02/strange_snacks_17.php

Dang it! Wrong link!

This is what I meant to post...
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/wal-mart-worker-dies-in-black-friday-stampede-1.884298

I'm in the middle of a job change thus I'm flat broke and won't be doing the Black Friday thing this year which is a first because my parents and I have done Black Friday shopping religiously since I was about 9 years old (it started off as a fun outing to get bags of coupons, hot chocolate packets and free press-on nails and turned into a great way to score some deals on electronics). Instead, my husband and I will be with his family for the holidays, I will be nursing a margarita and a headache with my women-in-law and he will be pretending to hunt for squirrel with his step-dad.

Never. There's nothing I need that can't be purchased with a laptop.

Absolutely not. I worked in the mall for 5 years and it only made me HATE the holidays. I couldn't enjoy Thanksgiving or Christmas day because I had to be up and out the door again in just a few hours to deal with the madness. Just thinking of the miles-long crawl of cars, all heading to the mall, cars cutting you off to get that parking space, the masses of people pushing you out of the way to get to the towering pile of crap that's marked 40% off, the person behind you in line breathing down your neck and inching forward on your heels like that will make the line go faster - ugh, no thank you.

Besides, there has never been anything that was such a deal to me that I felt the need to venture out. Really, what can Kohl's offer that they need to be open at 4 am? And what does Walmart have that would make me risk death by trampling to be first in line? Absolutely nothing.

I see my one-man campaign to end the term Black Friday has gained no steam whatsoever. :(

I would never EVER go to the mall on Black Friday (and have successfully avoided the trip my mom and sisters take every year) but if I were home, I'd definitely hit up the sales at all the cute little shops in my neighborhood.

i wish i could NOT go, unfortunately, i'm one of those poor souls who will be working Black Friday. if you are a shopper, please remember that mall employees are real people and don't leave your clothes inside out in a pile on the floor of the fitting room. kgreatthanks!

I went out on Black Friday two years ago because we were getting my dad a new TV. I swore I would never do it again, but this year my sister has bribed me to go to Babies R Us for her. She's on bed rest and the glider she wants is 50% off. The kid's not even born yet and I already can't say no to him.

One of my coworkers is planning on going to the local mall at midnight Friday. There is some deal that if you buy $100 worth of stuff, you get a $50 giftcard. He planned out all his shopping with the sales to get as many of his presents for the $100 and will be going back on Saturday to get the rest with the giftcard.

NONONONO!!!! I ran out of toilet paper one Black Friday without realizing how crazy it was to try and get into a Wal-Mart. Ended up buying a super cheap roll from the gas station and going home to hide. Will never willingly go shopping on that day.

4am openings. Ha! There are several places near my neck of the woods opening at 12am.

Now that is ridiculous.

What usually happened to me when I worked retail was I would have worked so hard readying the store for Holiday during November that my thanksgiving was spent napping at my families, and I was required to work open to close as a store manager on black Friday. Then I would have to work so much and so hard from that day on until New Years that I would get terribly ill and lose my voice the week of xmas, go to the doctor for hope of medicine to get me better quickly and she would just explain how my body needed rest and I could not go into work, not an option. So xmas was spent passed out sick at my families.

And the scrooges that ran my former place of employment would make us stay open an hour after the mall closed on xmas eve.

I confess, my family regularly goes to Black Friday sales! Why? Every one of you state excellent reasons for not going, but for us (sisters, sister-in-law and cousin-in-law), it is a time to hang out, coordinate shopping and just have fun. We compare shopping lists, receive tips from other people in line, help each other find the items we need and give out opinions on colors and sizes. About 10:00 a.m. we go to a great diner nearby and have a terrific breakfast and talk about our holiday plans.

Early morning Black Friday is perfect for us, because all of our other obligations (read: family) are sleeping off the previous day's festivities and won't need us for hours. To enjoy Black Friday, you have to really have your own reasons for going out, beyond a few sales items.

Oh HALE no. You could not pay me enough, seriously.

We don't have Black Friday here in Canada, but the whole idea scares me. I only just heard of what this day was last year, then a few days after there were all these news reports about a pregnant woman getting trampled by a mob at Walmart along with an employee who was also trampled and killed. What the hell, America? I still avoid Boxing Day.

@poopscape...I remember that incident. It's a perfect example of the sheer lunacy of it all. Very scary.

It all sounds like a nightmare. What a shame that a convenient day off work to do some shopping has turned into what all of you are describing. It even sounds depressing by being called 'black'. :-)

Anyway, thank goodness, no such thing here in the UK. I think things tend to be busy on Boxing Day maybe, but it wouldn't cross my mind to go shopping then. Bad enough to have just been through all the Christmas shopping.

Wow, this one got a lot of comments.

Never, no way. And I hate, loathe, despise the term "Black Friday" and the way it is being institutionalized to the point that stores use it in advertising. One of the ugliest aspects of our culture...

The day after T'giving is for finishing the bulb planting if I'm lucky (like this year) and the ground isn't frozen, eating sandwiches with leftover stuffing and cranberry sauce and watching a lot of movies!

Not for me, and I used to be a big Black Friday person, realized over the years that my sense of serenity is far more important - also - that the BIG deals (especially electronics) that were being advertised were generally bad stock being dumped by the stores on unsuspecting consumers (for instance, the brands or models that had the most failures and customer returns).

It's house projects, watching movies, and enjoying a day of rest before the insanity of Christmas preparations begins (and even that I'm scaling way back to something more sane).

How much stuff do you need? If you need lots, then go for it. If you're like me and trying to downsize, stay home and regroup what you already have.

Even the name "Black Friday" reminds me of the "Black Death"... not that I remember that of course!

I'd rather stay home and digest my food. In fact, I'd rather do (almost) anything than shop the day after Thanksgiving.

Hook 'em Horns! That looks like the Woodlands Mall in Houston.

Anywho, my mom and sisters are currently (at 1 in the morning) at the mall! It's open for sales. Then they plan to come back (attempt to sleep) and my mom and yougest sis will get up at 4 am to begin the real Black Friday shopping as they've done the last several years. I can't bring myself to deal w/ lines and crowds. They've been able to find good deals on expensive stuff in the past and usually get some Christmas gifts. They really like finding good bargains so it's fun for them and saves money on gifts.

You hear about those trampling incidents on the news, but I think they are the exception, not the rule. My mom has never seen that kind of thing on Black Friday. But I agree that the early openings are crazy! Old Navy is opening at 3 am! Who even wants to go clothes shopping at 3 am? The deals can't be that good!

I am a serious bargain shopper. I don't believe in paying retail unless it's a certified emergency.

Black Friday is not about deals -- it's about impulse shopping. Avoid. Remember this:

1)It's not a deal if you didn't already want to buy it before seeing the discounted price.

2)Black Friday is never the lowest price.

I am a serious bargain shopper and I will be home tomorrow.

I didn't go. Still at home, lingering around since I have been avoiding this 'holiday' like a plague for years.

My poor hub wanted to surprise me because we still need to buy a pair of washer/dryer for our first house so he went out to the mall (Sears) at 3 in the morning (without waking me and the kid) for that 500 bucks pair of Kenmore.

He was no. 30 in line, and he said the people told him that they sold the washer/dryer pair to the first 4 people in line then they tried to sell him a more expensive pair. So he said 'no.' He said he would never go anymore, the 'horror' he saw when people just grabbed excesses of stuffs without even looking at them scared him sh1tless.

I feel bad that he had to go through that.

Black Friday just gets too insane for my taste - if I must score a deal, I deal with Cyber Monday.

Support local shops and artists instead of checking out. Sustain something wonderful while fulfilling your lust for consumerism is what we say. Check out Etsy or a local Estate Sale this weekend instead of waiting in line for some corporations sake. Lots of sales happening on Etsy at the moment, explore more for 20%
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