Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday
Which shopping bonanza do you prefer? Take our poll and let us know why you shop the way you do in the comments section.
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Do you look forward to getting up in the wee hours the day after Thanksgiving for the best Black Friday deals at places like Target, Macy's or Walmart? Or do you prefer to sleep in over the long weekend and start your shopping from the comfort of your desk chair on what's become known as Cyber Monday?
If you prefer Black Friday, you're part of a long shopping tradition. Black Friday has been around for more than 100 years, according to an article on its history in Time. It was already such a crucial kick-off to the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression, that retailers urged President Roosevelt to move Thanksgiving earlier in order to extend the shopping season. He did, but handled the messaging poorly and few people realized there had been a change, which didn't stick. (Who knew?)
Cyber Monday is, no surprise, a much newer phenomenon, joining the lexicon in 2005. But it's made its mark quickly. Last year, Americans spent $1.25 billion online on the Monday after Thanksgiving, making it the best day for online spending in U.S. history, according to ComScore.
Not that everyone views the days after Thanksgiving as a shopping free for all. There's even a campaign for Buy Nothing Day, urging people to take a 24-hour consumerism moratorium the day after Thanksgiving in order to promote a more sustainable world.
What do you prefer? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Local
10:54 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
How bout neither? Over commercialized BS!!
Richard B
11:38 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Patch needs to be talking about SHOP LOCAL, this publication needs some real leadership------really.
Billy Bob
11:04 am on Sunday, November 25, 2012
Why? Local shops can buy advertising if they want promotion. Otherwise, why should the Patch prefer one type of business over another? Or maybe the Patch should promote Internet shopping so there can be less driving to the mall, with all the evils that produces.
Craig Apelbaum
1:56 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Shopping online is easier, than waiting on line in a department store, or any other store.
J.Lyn
2:58 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Stuff...stuff...and more stuff. Too bad stuff will never make you a better person. Time to stop this mindless march of the lemmings ... be it on the streets or the computer....and do something constructive / meaningful with your life. Even reading a good book would hold more value. Wake up !!!
Claire M.
8:37 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Some retirees have more time than money, but not the stamina to fight the Black Friday crowds. I can stretch my dollars on Cyber Monday by buying necessary items at a discount.
Melina E.
7:39 am on Sunday, November 25, 2012
I volunteer my time and my money throughout the year and I am one of the crazy folks that shops on BF/GT. Yes, it's frenzied at times, but I've met some great folks, waiting in line, all with funny stories of why we are in line and what we are hoping to purchase. We all know that it's a little bit of madness to stand in the wind/cold for over an hour to pick up the latest gadget/cheap DVD/hottest toy. But the clips they show on TV of the hordes of people, trampling other people to get to that 50" TV, are the exception, NOT the rule. I've "done" Black Friday for 15 years now, alone and with family and I've *never* seen people be that nasty. It's all about perspective...if you want to wait it out and get your shopping in as the season rolls out, that's fine with me...:) More power to you. But I am happy to tell folks that I "braved" BF and I'll do it again and again. Happy Holidays everyone! (and keep up the good work Amie!).
J.Lyn
2:55 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
LOL...Lemming mentality if I ever saw one...LOL
Melina E.
3:03 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012
You are entitled to your opinion. As for me, I'm a happy person and I try not to judge harshly (apparently, you live your life quite differently). You have yourself a nice holiday...:)