Black Friday: It’s a day that many middle-aged moms and deal-savvy individuals all love.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, gift shopping is about to kick into full gear. But with that comes some sacrifices.

Every year, Black Friday seems to get a bit more extreme. What was Black Friday has ultimately become Black Thursday. Extreme price knock-offs have can now be found in stores the day before the unofficial holiday has even taken place.

Because of the new deals that are making their way into stores earlier than usual, stores now begin opening their doors to consumers as soon as 6 p.m. Thanksgiving night.

Consumers are leaving their families to go stand in line at Target at 5:30 p.m. to make sure that can go snag the items that they’ve had their eyes on.

So while shoppers are going out voluntarily to get some early Black Friday deals, the people on the other end of the spectrum must go in not-so-voluntarily.
Those employed by retail stores must now leave their family during their holiday celebrations to go sell products and make a profit for whatever establishment they work for.

Often, they’ll go into work around 5 or 6 p.m. and stay up an unhealthy hour to make sure that their customers are able to get 70 percent off of the hot new toy that Santa will plop under the Christmas tree for their 7 year old.

Sure, saving money is great. In fact, it’s awesome. But it isn’t fair that these workers must go into work and leave behind their families on a day that it meant for appreciation.

It’s odd how that works; a holiday that is meant to be a day to appreciate what you have and who you share it with has now become a chore for those who work in retail.

Black Friday should stay Black Friday. It should not become Black Thursday, Black Wednesday, and so on.

Holidays should still be honored and recognized for all. Having to work on the select few days that people want to celebrate with their friends and family is simply unfair.