I agree with you, we will support small business Saturday and will not shop on Thursday. I don't believe that they will make any more money than if they were not open, they are simply spreading the dollars over more hours.

I love the idea of patronizing small businesses instead of the big stores. I am working all week and weekend, so I won't do any shopping at all, but I would do the small business thing if I could.

I do my shopping year round, if I see something I know someone will like I buy it and have a shelf in my closet so when birthdays or holidays come around I am ready.

Really funny story, I have a brother-in-law who isn't very bright and has no filter from his brain to his mouth.

We had Thanksgiving the first year Jim and I were married at our house, my parents and sister and his parents and a his two brothers.

We were talking about how some stores were open on Thanksgiving, and Scott says "well, I guess it gives Jewish people something to do".

I don't have any thoughts on it one way or the other. If someone wants to shop on T-Day, that's their choice; it's not mandatory. Eating turkey and then watching football isn't everyone's cup of tea. Apparently some people actually enjoy shopping. :)

If I can get there Thursday night I'll be there.

Our 2 sons will be in for the day (daughter can't make it - we'll call her.) We'll eat turkey, watch the Packers and play some games. The sons will return to their abodes that evening. That pretty much fills the day - no need to shop.

Never mind turkey day,,,Jan & I are avoiding shopping entirely..For xmass gifts she is knitting stuff and I am selecting special photos for everyone, which I am printing 8x10 and putting in a nice matted frame.

I agree. We will be at home with DS and have turkey and enjoy the holiday weekend. It's all gotten out of hand. Bad enough that the big stores will be open Thursday, but then opening again at midnight so people can get an early jump on Black Friday!! I hadn't heard of Small Business Saturday, but local businesses are always worthwhile to support.

I just hope that the weather cooperates so that those who travel will be safe.

I have hated watching opening times get pushed to earlier and earlier and have been commenting for years that I would hate to work at Target or Kohl's, etc and HAVE to be there at 3 or 4 AM (or whatever ridiculous hour they choose) to work, so NO, I won't be shopping anywhere on Thursday or Friday and since it'll just be bedlam everywhere, I won't be going anywhere on Saturday, either. I won't step foot into any store until next week. I like the idea of small business shopping on Saturday (and everyday.)

Of course,I don't have any gift shopping to do anyway, so it's easy for me to stay away from it all. I don't know who to dislike more- the greedy business owners who make their employees work unreasonable hours or the greedy shoppers who insist on earlier and earlier bargain shopping. I wish all the stores would go back to normal hours on Black Friday.

We have no plans to shop on Thanksgiving. Will spend the day with family and the evening relaxing at home.

I have no plans to shop any day but the day I go to buy my groceries. There are not that many small businesses in our near by towns. I am only buying for the baby, the rest may get some money.

Sue

Michelle...Thanks for the laugh...I have a few relatives who's elevators doesn't rise to the top either!!

I'm so not going anywhere near a store Thursday or Friday...well I say that...but hubster has been a shopping fool lately so if he insists...I'll ride along...if we as consumers would just stop going...the stores would stop forcing these wild hours...My son has to work from 4:30 am Friday morning to 7pm that night...even for a 20 year old...that's a bit much...I would love to see it get back to stores closed on Sunday...stores closing at a reasonable hour at night...if you can't get your shopping done in 6 days...well that's your fault...and it hardly seems reasonable to keep a store open 24 hours for a handful of people...

sorry...I'm just ranting...

Understand where you are coming from, katclaws, concerning those who are being FORCED to work, but that's not the case in our family. Our son-in-law has chosen to work this Thanksgiving for the extra pay and is happy about it.

People from our church would be downright disappointed if they couldn't head to a restaurant following the service on any Sunday. Closing at earlier hours or not being able to shop on any day of the week would be a downer for me, even though I don't go near stores on weekends. I like having the choice. Years ago one of our favorite things was to go see a movie following holiday meals.

But to answer your question, we won't be shopping on Thanksgiving - or on Black Friday, for that matter. Our shopping is done, and except for groceries, we won't be in any store until after Christmas. Hate the rush and wall-to-wall shoppers. That's just me, and some love it. I'll be out for groceries very early in the dark mornings and be so happy that Meijer is open then. :) We also can't support the small businesses, very few of which even exist around here.

I used to work at Meijer and chose middle of the night shift. Talked to a chashier not long ago at an extremely early hour, and she said she preferred to have the daylight hours to herself. But your concern is understandable, especially if a family member may miss Thanksgiving dinner because they have to work and don't want to. I would have no problem with changing the dinner time even to a different day, if it would work for you.

What do you mean if we stay home on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas will America survive? Will CHINA survive? LOL As for me, I'm going out for breakfast with friends on Black Friday and then we'll go to the movies. Just the ladies. It's our yearly tradition

Lol Michelle.

I'm on call, so if I do any shopping (which I am not planning) I will do it locally. It will be a day of rest for me, unless I get called in.

We always go to the movies on Thanksgiving - have for years. I have never heard uproar about those folks that work at the movie theater having to give up their Day of Thanks.

I do think the Black Friday shopping is getting CRAZY! I used to go, but I don't want to deal with those nut jobs anymore.

I was listening to some women/employees in ULTA talking about how they and their friends that work for HHGREGG will have to work for 20+ hours straight because they are so short staffed and aren't hiring much extra help. So they were very UPSET about it! I just think it's ridiculous!!!!!

I will NOT be out shopping Thursday or Friday. I hate all of it. One year I planned a family event for the Friday after Thanksgiving- a train trip into New York city to see a production of "A Christmas Carol." That worked out well. But I do not patronize any stores or in-line sites over this holiday weekend.

I worked a few Thanksgivings when I was in high school. I worked at a catering hall that had a big buffet on Thanksgiving. It was hard work, I made very little money but it was just part of that job. I also worked on Mother's Day, Father's Day, St. Patrick's Day (an all-male Irish banquet), Easter and New Year's Eve.

I've shopped at Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving already. The guys watched football and the girls went shopping. It wasn't crazy or anything since they didn't have any big sales on that day. I don't do 'crazy' so I won't be out on Thursday night or Black Friday but only because I don't like traffic and crowds.

I say more power to you if you don't want to participate in the madness but I can't fault stores for trying to increase their income.

I've never felt the urge to get in the middle of those shopping crowds.
I just don't need the loss of sleep, after cooking and cleaning up a big meal - just to save some money.

I see them on the news, and ---- NO WAY !

My nieces had their own tradition for Thanksgiving Day, after the meal of course. Who could miss that. They went to an afternoon movie. I thought it was great instead of going off with friends they chose to go with sisters. It's better than a game.

we got so used to thanksgiving being late...both ds' worked at kmart all thru hs and college, sigh...

what i don't get is the midnight at target and walmart...and btw, the store managet at wal mart agreed with me!

I will not be shopping on Thursday or Friday, but plan to go into our little town on Saturday.
I will be shopping at our local jeweler, a used book store, a sandwich shop/icecream parlor, the hardware store and maybe our Re-uzit store.
Hopefully while I am out I will find a Toys for Tots collection box.

I did the midnight madness twice. First time I was a shopper and swore I would never go again.
Second time I was talked into being a chauffeur, I never got out of the car. That time I witness a fistfight between two men over a parking space. Police were called...it got ugly.

I've never shopped Black Friday. You couldn't pay me to go. I think the only "holiday" I've ever shopped is New Years Day one year.
Most of these people know it goes with the territory, I mean hospitals,EMT's,nursing homes, police, Target,Walmart etc etc know they will have to work some holidays. Most around here alternate. You work one and get the next off. Thanksgiving and Christmas is when you hear the most complaining about stores being open, but there are all the others named above, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, 4th of July etc.

Ok, I have to finally say it. Every time I see the title, I keep thinking you all want to boycott ONTARIO. ON is our province. LOL

I won't be going shopping OR to Ontario on TG day. Not because I'm boycotting either one though!

Our tradition is to go to my sister's house on TG. Her DH cooks us a fantastic meal while we sit around sipping wine and playing games. Then we overstuff ourselves and wonder why we ate so much. Then we go home and drop! Who wants to go shopping when I can do that instead?

The next day, Black Friday, we get up at 5 am and drive three hours to a huge outlet mall (actually two malls next to each other) and shop. Then we have a texmex lunch at a local eatery. Then shop some more. Then have dinner and drive back home.

Saturday, I'll probably just be lazing around the house trying to recover!

I do feel sorry for people who have to work on holidays. I'm very thankful not to be one of them. I do agree that it seems excessive to open ON holidays or at midnight or whatever. The thing is, though, people show up to shop then so it justifies the store opening. Whatcha gonna do?

Personally, as much as I love a bargain, I never wait in line or show up at 6 am or that kind of thing to get a TV for $10 or whatever. It's just not worth the time and effort and aggrivation of fighting the crowds. I'd rather just wait for a "reasonable" bargain and go ahead and pay the money.

There were some deals this year I would have liked to get. I tried to get someone to stand in line to get a TV for me. Offered to pay $100 to someone to buy it for me. Couldn't find a taker. Would have still been $75-$100 cheaper than what I've seen so far but that's how it goes. I'll watch for a deal later. I'll try to unplug the sink tomorrow and wash some clothes although I do have to go out for a physical therapy session. I'll avoid stores. Got gas before the price went up 23â a gallon so I'm set for a couple days.

And yes, I will be boycotting Ontario. Might go to the Fishhouse parade though.