Phoebe Mendelson ’19

Over the past few years it has become increasingly popular to go Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving night. Best Buy, Macy’s, Apple, Nordstrom and Old Navy are among some of the stores that are open Thanksgiving night. However, while some stores are opening their doors early for Black Friday sales, others such as the TJ Maxx corporation are on complete shut down until Friday morning.

Many Staples students partake in Black Friday shopping, and many also participate in the sales a day early on the night of Thanksgiving. However, many believe that opening on Thanksgiving day is unethical because it forces employees to work on a holiday that should revolve around family.

Katie Loucas ’18 is one Staples students who partakes in shopping on Thanksgiving night. “Every year my friends and I shop late at night and it’s really fun, I just feel bad for the workers because it’s still a holiday,” Loucas said.
There have been other arguments against early openings for Black Friday. Some say it takes away from the true meaning of the holiday by making people think of what they want or need instead of what they’re thankful for. Others argue that it is just a way to kickstart the holiday season.

“I don’t think that shopping takes away from Thanksgiving because you’re still able to spend time with your family, and I think that it’s great for people to shop at night especially because it’s a great way to work off your Thanksgiving dinner,” said Madeline Howard ’19.

Regardless of personal views on the ethics of opening the doors for Black Friday the night of Thanksgiving, number of sales were at a record high after this year’s start to the holiday season. Clearly, it isn’t stopping consumers from indulging in the most affordable prices of the year.