I was scrolling through my phone one November evening, not paying close attention to the abundance of holiday-themed ads and promotions. As I continued, one thing stood out to me the most: Black Friday. Of course, I expected stores and other influencers to hype up the “crazy deals” that were happening, but I was mainly startled by how the ads used Thanksgiving to sell more. Words like “Up to 75% off” or “Buy one, get two free” started to constantly appear, one after the other. Subconsciously, these colorful ads began to do their job as I started browsing sites like Amazon and Sephora, trying to find good deals for the items I had been wanting. It struck me then how greatly shopping and devices had started to shift attention away from the real center of attention, Thanksgiving, and toward “The three F’s”: food, friends, and family. 

Thanksgiving is the time of the year when we celebrate what we are grateful for, which means spending time with people you care about. Instead, days like Black Friday have shifted that focus to the complete opposite: Who can get the lowest deals? Thanksgiving is a time for thankfulness, and in contrast to that, Black Friday is all about getting more: getting that device, clothing, jewelry, and all those items we’ve been waiting for. This thirst for consuming in excess completely dismisses the entire point of the holiday.

Black Friday starts to prioritize consumption over connection. That feeling should try and be preserved for as long as possible because Thanksgiving is only one day a year. But with Black Friday we’re focused to shift our priorities, because we need to get the items as fast as possible. Not only that, but that longing to start shopping leaves us distracted and doesn’t allow us to properly live in the moment. Instead, our minds are focused on when the clock strikes midnight and the deals go live. There’s a sort of irony in spending a holiday focused on gratitude, and then within 24 hours, focusing on another holiday centered around consumerism. It’s a complete switch. 

Black Friday started as a way to celebrate Thanksgiving by spending time with loved ones through shopping. Instead, this day changed the significance of the holiday, from spending time with family and friends to who could get the best offers first.