When most people think of Black Friday, their immediate thought is absolute chaos. Physical conflict over the last flat-screen TV, strategically planned mall trips and the days leading up spent studying the deals. But for some, Black Friday is a quiet holiday, spent scrolling on the couch.
Annie McCarron ’28 usually partakes in Black Friday shopping. She is working on Black Friday this year, meaning she will not be able to keep her tradition of in-store shopping. For her, this means that using her online resources to shop will be her best option.
“When I go in stores, it is usually so chaotic and overstimulating,” McCarron said. “I really do like having the option of trying on clothes, but since it is so busy, just ordering things will be much easier and I would rather avoid chaos.”
Katie Barbour, a math teacher at South, enjoys shopping locally on Black Friday, as she prefers to skip out on crowded, disorganized malls and such. For stores that aren’t as close, she shops online. She agrees that shopping online can be easier, but she finds that it can be difficult to uncover the best deals.
“I don’t think shopping online has ruined Black Friday,” Barbour said. “If anything, it has made it easier. But with prices fluctuating so much, you never really know what the true deals are.”
Barbour finds online shopping to be a useful option as it makes Black Friday more accessible. For her, this means she can scroll and navigate deals from home.
“Most people shop online now anyway,” Barbour said. “It’s so easy to be on your phone while pretending to be hanging out with family.”
Rose Blake ’29 braves the mayhem of in-person shopping on Black Friday. She takes an annual mall trip with her older sister and cousins when they come home for the holidays. She enjoys taking part in the disarray of everything.
“Just because shopping online is easier doesn’t mean it replaces going to the store,” Blake said. “I like going to the mall with my sister and cousins, it’s like an event.”
Whether it’s pushing through crowds or clicking around on the couch, Black Friday continues to evolve. While scrolling from home is easier, some may get a thrill from braving the crowded escalators. It just depends on how individuals find the most enjoyment from this tradition.
“I do think people still like Black Friday,” McCarron said. “Not only are the deals great, but it benefits the working class.”
