Black Friday; taking a bite out of Thanksgiving

Even if you’ve never been brave enough to do it yourself, we all know about the millions of shoppers lining up for Black Friday.

The big sales used to kick off when the clock hit 6 a.m. Eventually, that time got pushed back to midnight. Now, the holiday sales are creeping into Thanksgiving Day.

“Fights break out, people run people over, they stomp all over people,” said a regular holiday shopper.

It may sound like Black Friday, but that’s not what this shopper is talking about.

“It’s Thanksgiving and there’s no kindness. It’s like get out of my way,” she said.

Black Friday seems to be eating its way into Thanksgiving.

“It just keeps getting earlier and earlier,” said Brittany Nielson. She’s an employee at a big box store in Colorado Springs.

Last year, many of the big stores offered Black Friday sales at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. This year, that time has moved up two, even three hours.

“They asked for everyone to volunteer but it was almost like mandatory volunteering. I don’t even get to be off on my day off. It’s very frustrating. I can’t even put it into emotion how frustrating. It just makes me mad,” said Nielson.

She says the once calm and peaceful holiday is now America’s kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

“I have sympathy for those workers, especially on Thanksgiving,” said another shopper in Colorado Springs.

But others think it’s a fun way to spend time with family. They also say the extra hours provide both extra work and pay to employees.

“It’s just like my profession. I’m open 24/7 so it’s like OK, if they need me they need me. It’s just the way society has it,” said another shopper outside of Target.

There are some big box stores staying closed on the holiday. Don’t plan on going to Costco, Marshalls, Tj Maxx, or Sam’s Club on Thanksgiving… at least for this year.