Thanksgiving is a day in which families and friends come together to show thanks for their blessings. Talking, laughing, reuniting and being grateful are often pastimes that fill the day. Although family is important, sometimes we’d all rather be somewhere else… like out shopping for great discounts.

Black Friday shopping often begins on Thanksgiving Day. Stores lure shoppers away from their families with promises of amazing deals. Some national chains opt to open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Stores like Best Buy, hhgregg, Radio Shack, Target, Sears and Wal-mart offer door-busters and promises of discounts anywhere from 25 to 70 percent off. These national stores air commercials and send out mail fliers and e-mails prior to the day so shoppers can plan their evening. They can decide when and where to go as well as what aisles to hit first.   

Popular electronics on sale included products like the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, the new iPad and the latest Macbook as well as the new Samsung Galaxy 6 and 5s. These electronics are expensive, so people jump at the chance to get them on sale. Clothing stores with the best sales were Old Navy, Belk, Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret. You could shop for name-brand clothes starting as low as $13. Other hot items from these sales included jewelry, perfumes and colognes and handbags.

These amazing sales allow people to do Christmas shopping and save money. Because of these sales, a lot of people are able to buy nice items for their family and friends and more for them because of what they save.

In addition to saving customers money, these sales stimulate the economy. People are eager to go out and buy, and when they spend they keep money flowing. According to a U.S. News report in 2014, consumer spending makes up almost 70 percent of the country’s economy.

Shopping is also good because it provides jobs. These stores need employees to stock the shelves and work the registers. Those that are on the schedule to work these extra hours for Black Friday sales are compensated. This is good because it is like a bonus to them for working the late night and some what of the early morning.

As crazy as Black Friday shopping is, these stores should continue opening early and offering these great deals to their customers. I hope all of you were able to shop till you dropped and got everything you needed for the holiday season as well as a little treat for yourself.