An End to Tradition for Black Friday Shoppers

by Jeremy Davis, reporter

OMAHA – Black Friday is always one of the busiest days of the year, and has recently started to take place on thanksgiving but this year plans have changed. Black Friday is the day most people get their holiday shopping done but because of COVID-19, several businesses have decided to forgo opening on Thanksgiving.

“It’s just kind of the official kickoff for the holiday season for me,” said Monica Hurlbut.

One holiday shopper Monica Hurlbut has made black Friday shopping part of their Thanksgiving tradition, and is upset that they will not be able to go this year but is understanding of why this is happening.

COVID-19 continues to impact this year by ending a tradition for a Black Friday shopper who has not missed a year since they were seventeen. 

“I’ve been black Friday shopping since I was seventeen. I have always enjoyed going, sometimes I would go, and I actually would not have anything I needed it was just the festivity of it,” said Hurlbut “I would get excited. It was one of the first times I went I was a junior in high school, and I haven’t missed a year since.”

Many businesses this year have opted out of opening on Thanksgiving, and have hoped to deflate crowds by hosting specials all month long instead of the usual weekend celebration.

“Part of the fun of it is to see how many places you can go and how many good deals you can get and if it’s all month long nobody has that much energy. So, it’s kind of takes away the fun of it, it’s not as exciting anymore,” said Hurlbut.

With this year being a chaotic one it causes you to wonder if crowds will still be out and about during the weekend after Thanksgiving, as many go out to get all their holiday shopping done during this time.