One of America’s favorite holidays is fast approaching and the excitement is building. Families getting together and gathering around the kitchen table, laughing and smiling, newspapers scattered all around, echoing off the store’s deals. That’s right, it’s time for Black Friday! Every year, Thanksgiving slowly fades into the background as people rush out the door in the early morning or middle of the day to try to snag the great deals that the day has to offer. Stores almost instantaneously fill as the doors open, with people waiting outside for hours on end before, hoping to get that one item. But like everything this year, Black Friday is going to change. One of the most noticeable things about the ever-growing shopping event is the immense crowds and aggressive, tense situations. Because of the new social distancing protocols and masks being required, America’s biggest shopping spree is not going to be the same.

Stores normally allow large crowds of people to come in and shop amongst the chaos. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year, store owners will need to take more control of what is going on and limit how many people are coming in. A lot of retailers have also resorted to keeping most of their deals online, in hopes of keeping people in their homes instead of coming in and shopping in person. Lydia Pedersen, a sophomore who’s family takes advantage of the deals every year, states “Although I favor going into a store to pick something out by hand, I have no problem with shopping for gifts online, especially if it can minimize the risk of me not being able to see high-risk family members if I do catch COVID-19.” Black Friday has been extended by many with online deals starting as early as November 1st and going as long as through the month of December. This is in hopes that people will be in less of a rush to get their items, knowing that they will continue to be on sale for longer periods of time than in years past. 

So what do shoppers need to know about Black Friday this year? Well, the first thing is to keep in mind the new social protocols that have been put in place. In order to maintain any sense of normality that we have gained back these past few months, listening to professionals pressing on the importance of mask-wearing and maintaining at least six feet between you and the nearest person is imperative. Hand sanitizer will remain available as it has been for the past months. Stores are strongly pressing for online shopping, so if shoppers have the means, it is asked that they try to keep most of their shopping on the computer rather than physically coming in. Curbside and in-store pick-ups are also still an option for many retailers. 

Like many things this past year, Black Friday has been drastically changed; some may think for the better with a much calmer demeanor, others perhaps upset, enjoying the rush that the day normally brings. Some, including another sophomore, Ava Brokate, feel that Black Friday should be put off, stating, “I think that stores should just do online or curbside pickup or not do Black Friday at all.” Others, including Lauren Ritz, sympathize with the retailers, stressing that stores are experiencing extreme financial hardships and it would be unreasonable for them to not do Black Friday. Regardless of how shoppers are viewing the differences in this year’s shopping experience, it is important that American’s keep in mind what is going on in their country and their world. Fighting for that last pair of headphones on the shelf or getting the newest apple product is not worth putting lives at risk. Plus, with shopping online, getting pepper-sprayed over a gaming console is not an option. That sounds like a plus to me.