Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is (make that "was") probably the best shopping day of the year. Malls and retail shops used to open early allowing shoppers access to heavily discounted merchandise. Some stores used to open early and remain open all night long. Black Friday used to mark the beginning of the Christmas/holiday shopping season.
But Black Friday has taken on a new meaning in the last year or so. Black Friday doesn't start at 12:01 a.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving. Oh no. Now some stores (like Walmart and Toys 'R Us) are opening at 8 p.m. THANKSGIVING EVENING. For some people, that's the time leftovers are reheated in the microwave and the Cool Whip hits the pumpkin pie. But forget leftovers because employees need to grab their name tags and run to work, leaving the family behind with the pumpin pie.
Just call it The Retail Nightmare Before Christmas.
Online petitions began back in 2011 urging retailers to keep Black Friday on Friday.
At this rate, I can completely see Walmart serving up a Thanksgiving buffet just to get people in the door. Don't be surprised in 2013 if you hear "Come get your turkey and sweet tater casserole on Aisle 10! TVs are on sale on Aisle 11! So is everything in the electronics department. Hurry! Don't miss out." Would you eat a Thanksgiving meal at Walmart? I'm afraid some people would take them up if the offer presented itself.
It should be interesting to see how insane this year gets. Count me out. I'm not leaving my brother-in-law Dale's Chocolate Meringue Pie unattended.
Spend less. Get more. Or at least that's what the ads say to lure you away from football, family and fried turkeys.
1. Walmart
Angela Patterson
Walmart used to open at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Night. In 2012, they decided to open at 8 p.m. -- causing a big stir among employees who are forced to head out to work before they can even finish their pumpkin pie. Is this what DFW really wants? Is this what America wants? What happened to having a day off from work and spending it with the family?
Most Walmart stores are open 24/7 through Christmas eve.
2. Target
Angela Patterson
I don't think anyone loves Target as much as I do. I know exactly how many minutes it takes me to get from their parking lot to my garage door. (I've had to race home so the babysitter could leave on countless occasions).
Target will open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. Sneak a peek at Black Friday doorbusters now and shop online exclusives on 11/22. Their big sale starts Thursday, 11/22, and ends Saturday, 11/24/12.
Dear Santa, If there's anything left in the Disney collection that we don't already own, please bring it for my daughter for Christmas. Thanks, Angela
3. Toys R Us
Toys 'r Us is fighting Walmart tooth and nail. The've jumped on the crazier-than-ever bandwagon with Wally WOrld and they're opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night in 2012. Santa doesn't care if you've been good or bad this year because he's sitting home and eating his Thanksgiving turkey and cranberry sauce. Then he's shopping online to avoid the crowds.
Opens 8 p.m. Thanksgiving night and closes at 10 p.m. on Black Friday..
4. Best Buy
In 2012, Best Buy opens at midnight and closes at midnight. Good luck if you're going there. It's going to be crowded. I'm pretty sure that Santa shops at bestbuy.com. In October.5. Macy's
Friend Macy's on Facebook for the latest Black Friday updates. In 2012, (and for the second year in a row), Macy's will open at midnight as Black Friday dawns. Good luck with that. I'll be dreaming of turkey tetrazzini.6. Kohls
Angela Patterson
7. DSW
Angela Patterson
Ok, this is not technically a Black Friday Special -- but it's too good to not pass along. Purchase a $50 (or more) DSW gift card for someone on your shopping list and get a $5 card free for yourself. You can't afford to pass up on a deal like that. I love DSW. How many of us call it Diva Shoe Warehouse? I do! Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.
8. Pier 1
Pier One has holiday decor for every room in your home -- outdoors too. In 2012, Pier 1 will open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday and close at 10 p.m. (Thank you Pier 1 for having reasonable shopping hours for Black Friday and for respecting your employees).
9. JCPenney
Angela Patterson
