By Lisa DiCarlucci
When my mother first informed me that we would be going shopping at 4 a.m. on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about actually enjoying the experience. First of all, it was something that my mother and I had never done and second of all, I couldn't tell you the last time I woke up before dawn. I had decided a long time ago that only the most insane and barbaric of people woke up before sunrise to nearly maul each other to get the best deal.
It wasn't very long before I found out that my assumptions about the type of people who shop on Black Friday wasn't terribly off the mark. I couldn't have been in the store more than 20 minutes before I witnessed an attempted robbery, was screamed at for cutting a line I wasn't aware existed and had a bitter old woman ram her cart repeatedly into the back of my heel instead of just saying "excuse me." I immediately reconsidered my decision to join my mother for this shopping extravaganza as my mood went from tired to just plain irritable.
It turned out that those few unpleasant experiences at the beginning were the absolute worst of it. Once I actually started shopping, there was a definite adrenaline rush that kicked in as I scoured the shelves and racks for the best deals. I even began to enjoy fighting off the other potential shopping predators. I used my small size to slide in, out and around people and racks of merchandise to the point where I was clearly channeling some sort of Mission Impossible, secret agent persona. It soon became apparent that I was on a discount and deal-grabbing high and there was no turning back.
Even the part that I was dreading the most, the line, wasn't so bad. My mom and I became quite friendly with the woman in front of us and our conversation made the entire hour we waited fairly enjoyable. When my fatigue began to kick in, I just ran across the street to Dunkin Donuts for a quick caffeine fix. Waiting in the line was actually somewhat relaxing. I was able to browse as we moved and I even felt a sense of community among all of the customers waiting in line together.
I had to admit to my mother that Black Friday shopping was not only not the terrible experience I had expected it to be, but it was actually kind of enjoyable. There was a competitive element to the whole morning which I found surprisingly appealing once engulfed in the madness. I now understand why so many consumers find this day not only economically efficient, but also fun!
It proved to be a financially fruitful endeavor as my mother and I watched the savings ring up at the register. After nearly completing all of our family Christmas shopping in less than three hours, and for an astonishingly reasonable amount of money, I can't imagine why you would want to do it any other way. With the current state of the economy, it baffles me that anyone would want to pass on such enormous deals. Even besides the money issue, what is the enjoyment of trying to do all of your shopping last minute?
I've come to the conclusion that there is no reason to deal with the stress of trying to remember gifts for every single person only a few days before the holiday. Maybe waking up for Black Friday isn't the most pleasant experience in the world, but it provides an opportunity to save a serious amount of money and to save the stressing for dealing with crazy family members and cooking for a dozen or so people on that blessed holiday.
Lisa DiCarlucci is a sophomore print journalism student. You may e-mail her at
ldicar1@pride.hofstra.edu.