Only in America do we wait in line and trample each other for sale items one day after giving thanks for what we already have.
It started out simple enough. In fact, it makes a lot of sense when you take it at face value.
Since 1940, the Thanksgiving holiday has been celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday of November. Of course, the holiday pre-dates our current calendar designation by hundreds of years. The first nationwide celebration of Thanksgiving was established by our first president, George Washington when he proclaimed Thanksgiving to be, “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.”
After the Thanksgiving holiday, we begin looking forward to the next: Christmas. Given the fact that exchanging gifts on Christmas dates back to the 4th Century, it makes perfect sense that the holiday shopping season would begin at this point. Indeed, it always has. Even the Macy’s Day Parade, which began in the 1920’s, was originally made up of store employees marching to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes.
For a very long time, the Friday after Thanksgiving has marked the beginning of the Christmas season—and rightfully so I might add.
Sometime in the 1980’s, we began referring to this day as Black Friday. The most common rumor surrounding the name is that the day after Thanksgiving is the first day of the year that retail stores make an actual profit and their Accounting books turn from “red” to “black.” This, of course, could not be further from the truth, and has been confirmed as myth from almost every reputable historical source.
The true history is that the term “Black Friday” was originally used as a negative designation of the Friday after Thanksgiving, when, in Philadelphia, unruly fans would descend upon the city, its merchants, and its police force for the annual Army-Navy football game.
Sometime in the late 1980’s, however, the term Black Friday was usurped by retail stores nationwide and turned into something that reflected positively, rather than negatively, on them and their customers.
Again, this makes perfect sense. Retail stores are more than welcome to celebrate the beginning of the holiday shopping season with discounted prices on their items. If I owned a retail outlet, I would probably do the same.
However, at some point during my lifetime, things began to change. Black Friday became more than a day to celebrate the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday became an event in and of itself.
At first, it was a plethora of advertisements that would arrive on our doorstep Thanksgiving morning. It wasn’t all that long ago I can remember rushing to get the paper so I could begin thumbing through the sales for the following day. Little did I realize at the time how those ads were affecting me—a day originally set aside for giving thanks was quickly becoming a day focused on all the things I didn’t have.
Somewhere around that time, stores began going to extraordinary lengths to attract shoppers. A simple discount on their goods was no longer sufficient. To prepare for the day, national retail chains would begin planning months in advance to secure the hottest consumer products and offer a limited amount to the first customers at a net loss. They may lose a little money on the item, but the offer would lure customers into their store on that important day. Camping out in front of stores and trampling other shoppers suddenly became a thing.
Stores began opening at 6am on the day after Thanksgiving. And for most of my lifetime, this was the story of Black Friday.
But things began to change in the late 2000’s. At first, stores began competing for shoppers by opening earlier and earlier on Black Friday. Looking back, it appears almost inevitable. Doors opened at 5:00am and then 4:00am. And once the ball got rolling, there was nothing in place to stop it.
This was taken to a new extreme in 2011, when several retailers opened at midnight for the first time.
In 2012, stores took the unprecedented step of opening on Thanksgiving Day (8:00pm).
By 2014, stores began opening their doors at 5:00pm on Thursday. This year, some stores will open at 3:00pm on Thanksgiving Day.
And just when you thought we had reached a new low in our society, Verizon renames the day before Thanksgiving: Thanksgetting—as a means to promote its holiday deals and lure shoppers.
With each encroachment, the Thanksgiving holiday gets squeezed a little bit more.
A day previously set aside for giving thanks has been hijacked by retailers hoping to earn a dollar. (tweet that)
But Thanksgiving is important. Giving thanks calls us to recognize and celebrate the good in our lives. And in a society that works so hard to distract us from our blessings, the importance of giving thanks cannot be overstated.
Gratitude matters. It breeds contentment, helps us overcome selfishness, and encourages generosity. Grateful people are happier, healthier, and experience greater life satisfaction. Gratitude reminds us that what we have is enough and we have been provided for already.
At some point, it seems, we need to make a statement. We need to rise up and reclaim Thanksgiving. We need to reclaim it in our hearts and we need to reclaim it in our society.
That time is now! And who better to lead that charge than us?
Will you commit with me to not allow retail outlets to encroach on your holiday and distract you from gratitude? Will you commit to focus on the blessings in your life and celebrate your provisions from the previous year? Will you be vigilant about not allowing consumerism to creep into your Thanksgiving celebration?
If so, tell us on Facebook and Twitter how you intend to overcome consumerism and reclaim Thanksgiving this Thursday. Tell us about your holiday traditions or plans. Or simply express your gratitude by sharing with the world what you are thankful for this year.
With each tweet or status update, include the hashtag: #ReclaimThanksgiving.
With each individual participant, we will remind more and more people of the importance of gratitude. And we will take a stand against the retailers who continue to trample on it.
Aleisha says
While I appreciate and respect the sentiment behind this post, I honestly feel so bombarded by the “take Thanksgiving back” message this year. So much so, that it’s creating more noise for me than Black Friday ever did. Negative noise.
Angie Holmes says
Thank you for this post!!!! I’m one of the few that doesn’t rush Christmas before thanksgiving. I have partaken in Black Friday before but not for the last few years. There is nothing I need that much & the sales aren’t that great. Several years ago I stood In line at Walmart to get a camera for my son only to find it the next week 60 cents more than what I spent!! I’m time & family is worth more than 60 cents. Love your blog!!!
Jenn says
I don’t generally participate in Black Friday shopping unless there is something I genuinely need and can secure it at a discount vs paying full price later (i.e. a winter coat or a vacuum cleaner). Some retailers started their sales early so I was able to secure both of those examples on Monday, by shopping online. I noticed Old Navy is having a deal where people who come to the store between some preset hours has a chance of winning a million dollars. No thanks. I think I’d have a better chance at winning the Powerball.
I’d love to say no consumerist talk whatsoever on Thursday, but I have that one Aunt who compiles her Christmas list after dinner that day. She will sit down with all the kids and the ads and ask them what they want for Christmas. It’s inevitable. As much as I’d like to say “I won’t talk about Christmas gifts until Friday”, I don’t want to make things more difficult for her since she does ALL of her Christmas shopping on Black Friday.
As for my Christmas gifting plans, everyone is getting a themed box with a small value gift card and some goodies that fit around the gift card. For instance, a fishing themed gift for my father-in-law with bait, tackle, some snacks to enjoy and a gift card to purchase his fishing license with. I’m keeping it simple this year.
ren says
Like your basket ideas.
ren says
Nothing says Celebrate the birth of Jesus like a trampling at a Walmart or a fistfight in a Best Buy. The whole thing makes me sick. I don’t participate in any of it. May do a little online for some special toys, but everyone else getting local wines, cheeses, products.
Michael says
Not all retailers are going for the cash grab. REI this year has decided to close all of its retail stores and give all of its employees paid day off on Black Friday with its #OptOutside campain. A few other outdoor companies have joined along. I haven’t been in the mall in over 10 years and I’m not gonna start now. I’m gonna be mountain biking with the kids the whole weekend.
Jennifer says
Thank you for this post. I despise Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving is spent at home relaxing (recovering from hosting!), reading, crafting, playing games and spending time with my kids. Somehow, for me, fighting the crowds doesn’t feel like ‘the spirit of Christmas.’
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
Just a big HECK YES this! It makes me feel sick when friends tell me they leave their Thanksgiving dinners early just to take advantage of sales and get the “best deal” on Christmas gifts. It truly does take away how meaningful Thanksgiving is and how we should focus more on giving and being thankful than participating in extreme consumerism.
This is a movement I can 110% get behind, thank you for sharing Joshua! I’ll be sure to share with others.
Christina
Thias @It Pays Dividends says
The craziest thing is they are even trying to extend Black Friday for the week and month before it actually happens! How many advertisements has there been this year talking about “Don’t wait for Black Friday to get Black Friday deals – Come in all month long!”. It is unbelievable where we are now. Consumerism has always been the overarching theme of our society but retailers seem to be taking it to a new level this year. I for one will be enjoying Thanksgiving with my family and I’m not sure that will ever change!
Arianna says
I never really understood the meaning of Thanksgiving. I asked around and some Americans told me it was to say thanks for the harvest. Some others told me that it was a celebration of how Americans finally ended the war with the Natives. Being a real pain in the ass, I mostly listened to the second ones and I was disgusted by how some people can be happy that a population has been exterminated. What I do know about Thanksgiving is that you guys eat very well that day: recipes are exploding here and there on every american blog!
I had no idea that Thanksgiving coincides with Black Friday. So, once again, a festivity is ruined by this sick envy of buying useless stuff. Christmas sometimes can be hard, because we are forced to buy buy and buy, even if we don´t have the need. I have followed some news about Black Friday and I couldn´t believe how barbaric it is. People running around and being crazy just to purchase something. It´s pure barbarism!
https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/
rebecca says
I agree with you about Black Friday being barbarism! I’ve never participated and don’t plan to. However, I do want to clarify the meaning of Thanksgiving for those that do no live in the US and may be puzzled as to what the fuss is all about. Originally, Thanksgiving, as Joshua Becker stated, was to set aside a day of giving thanks for our blessings, basically, but it started because of a beautiful story of friendship and provision when the Native Americans assisted the Pilgrims their first winter. Without their help, the Pilgrims would have died and they celebrated their first harvest and their unlikely friendship by feasting together.
Like most things, this meaning is not celebrated by everyone and it has become warped over time, but it truly had beautiful beginnings and there are those of us who hold on to the reality of it and try to keep the right spirit. And, like the Pilgrims and Natives before us, we do eat very well on that day ;)
Kevin says
I am sorry, Arianna, but I cannot let this stand. I am sorry that we, as Americans, have not been able to provide a good definition of Thanksgiving to you. I have found a good resource that describes the history of our American Thanksgiving at http://www.plimoth.org/learn/multimedia-reference-library/read-articles-and-writings/thanksgiving-history. It had nothing to do with shopping, as Joshua writes, and, while the Native Americans were integral, it had nothing to do with war, but blessings.
Alison says
I agree. I actually live in Australia and was disappointed to see an Australian business I have dealt with in the past offer Black Friday discounts. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and I will probably not purchase from that business again as it was obviously just opportunistic.
Ilhja says
I live in Denmark and we see the same thing here. The last two years stores have started to hold Black friday.
The most complains from other danes is that it falls just before payday and the about the fact that we don’t have thanksgiving or that we don’t need another sale.
Judy says
You know I certainly agree with you, Joshua! :) And I work for one of those retailers that opens on Thursday at 5pm. We are told that our jobs are on the line and it is mandatory to be there. And shoppers will come… lined-up…just like last year. AND an ambulance will be called, because someone ALWAYS falls on the escalator…from running…every year. I could tell you stories you would not believe. I REFUSE to shop the Black Friday insanity. If I did not have to work…I would not be out at a store. And…I must sign off now…must get ready for work… … … …
Lori in Prescott says
I had forgotten working retail. I did that ONE YEAR and will never do it again. Open at midnight and required to be there in very long shifts. All the employees looked like Land of the Walking Dead and the crowds like Attila the Hun!