‘Tis the Day after Thanksgiving
Our bellies and hearts are full after a day of food and thanksgiving with loved ones. One mere day (sometimes less) after this day of thanks enter dun dun dun Black Friday. There are a few stories of origin going around as to how this name came about. One coming from the Philadelphia police in the 1960’s. Apparently they came up with this name due to the large amount of pedestrian and vehicle traffic the day after Thanksgiving. And the other story which seems more feasible is retailers start to turn a profit at this time of the year and move from “in the red” to “in the black.” That one makes the most sense, but the question in hand is whether Black Friday sales are worth all the craziness or not?
You have just left a family member’s house after a scrumptious Thanksgiving meal as you pull up your wish list on your phone for items at your favorite stores. Are they on sale now? Is this the best price these items have been all year? These are the questions that may run through one’s mind when deciding whether to purchase an item or not during possibly the biggest sale of the year. Well one question to ask should be “Is this the biggest sale of the year?” Black Friday is one of the biggest sale days of the year, but New Years also has great sales as well. However, this may be the prime time to purchase items if you are purchasing Christmas gifts! So, maybe a little for yourself and a little for others. As I am writing this, I keep glancing at my list to see if it is worth it to purchase something right now. I am by no means an impulse buyer if anything I hate shopping because it can be so difficult for me to find items I absolutely love. Yes, you should purchase something if you have had your eyes on the product for a while and this is the best price you have ever seen it at. But you do not need to go shopping on just this one day. Typically, the sales on Black Friday will start a few days or even weeks before the day after Thanksgiving. Now my forte is in fashion, but there are some things you may need to look out for on Black Friday.
A large portion of the goods people look forward to purchasing at this time of the year are large electronics. Mostly because they assume, they are being offered an amazing deal. But is this deal all that amazing? Many people will say these electronics (i.e., televisions) are a lesser quality than they are the rest of the year. For instance, these companies make a cheaper quality of a television and sell it to you during this time of year at a price you think is amazing because it is the cheapest it has been all year. But this television is simply a lesser version of what they sell all other 364 days of the years. Personally, I am not 100% sure if this is true or not but do your research on expensive electronics to make sure you are not being scammed!
Now back to fashion. Are you one to buy online or in the store for this major sale? I am one who likes going into the store to touch all the clothes and see things in person; however, over the past few year’s crowds have started to become a little overwhelming. Which is why the experience of shopping online can seem so enticing today. I do think there is a little nostalgia of going into the store for the crowds, a little crazy right?! I believe it comes down to one’s personal preference though. You can find an endless and I mean an eternity of sale items online, but sometimes that can be so daunting and after five pages who wants to scroll through anymore, definitely not myself. However, if you end up going in the store there is going to be less items available, but you will get to experience the chaos of Black Friday. The bumping into multiple people, the scavenging to snag the last item, and the waiting in the never-ending checkout line. Have I convinced you to go into the store yet? Just kidding! I think a mixture of both is a great option. I believe we often end up in these stores on Black Friday out of sheer boredom. If we are not on vacation or even if we are it feels like a weird extra day before the weekend. Geesh what could we possibly do with all that extra time!
There are a few staples to keep your eyes out for during this time of year. One of the first things that comes to mind is the Dyson Airwrap. I am not sure if this ever goes on sale, but if you do find it on sale on Black Friday this is something I would not pass up as it is a timeless, quality piece you can have for decades to come. Next, you do not want to pass up on any winter staples. For instance, if you need a refresh on a winter coat or winter boots then now is probably the best time to purchase these items. Also, do not forget about those holiday gifts for your loved ones! Now would be a good time to grab a cute hat, glove and scarf set for someone living in a cold climate. Lastly, is a home goods item. During this chilly time of year does bundling up on the couch not sound like the loveliest thing to be doing! Well, it sure does to me. And you cannot do this without a fluffy blanket. This year I am especially loving faux fur looking blankets. They are absolutely chic! And perfect for giving as a gift too.
Black Friday is a crazy day/week during this time of year. Make sure not to forget what this time of year is all about! Let me know if you have ever waited in an insanely long Black Friday line and if so, what it was for down below in the comments!