Letter to the editor: Thanksgiving shopping frenzy impeding upon family time

Today I would like to express my opinion on a topic we’ve all talked about in our homes. A topic that on occasion gets some media attention, but not enough to actually change anything. I’m talking about the ever increasing holiday shopping hours around thanksgiving and how it affect the families of those working for certain retail establishments.

First off, I’d like to say I’m conflicted myself. On one hand I believe person should run their business the way they feel it should be ran. This includes being open or closed when they choose to be. On the other hand, I think business owners should at times put people before profits. For example, Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays so their employees can worship or have a day of rest with their families. Other businesses are 24/7. I don’t think we need a law about this. That would be over reaching and I’ll never advocate any more government into our lives. I would however advocate for less.

In this letter I will talk about one such business in the Jasper area excluding their name and the name of an employee. I’m doing this because I don’t want to harm the career of the person I’m using as the example.

Black Friday is a major money maker for a lot of big retailers. In the past, Black Friday sales started at 5 a.m. I’m sure we’ve all noticed how that time has changed. Last year I think it was before midnight, I could be mistaken because I did not participate.

This year, Black Friday is literally starting on Thanksgiving Day, during the day, as early as 6 p.m.

Why is this? Who needs to go shopping on Thanksgiving? Who values buying products over spending time with family and friends to give thanks for all we have?

A person I know works for a big retailer in this area. I recently learned what hours this person will be working throughout the thanksgiving holiday week. The schedule is:

Wed Nov. 27 8 p.m.-5 a.m.

Thur Nov. 28 3 p.m.-midnight (thanksgiving day)

Fri Nov. 29 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Can anyone tell me, when is this person, and I’m sure many others like this person, suppose to have time to be with their families? Maybe the 10 hours between shifts on Thanksgiving?

How about when is this person suppose to sleep, care for their children, their wife or husband and still have time to spend with the rest of their extended families?

I fear some day there won’t be a Thanksgiving holiday to speak of anymore. There is a solution to this problem.

No, not a law or city ordinance.

Like I said, I’ll never advocate that. The solution comes from us, the community, to stand up against retailers.

Don’t participate in the shopping frenzy that is Thanksgiving.

Stay home, eat turkey and be with your families.

If you must shop, limit it to any last minute groceries.

The only way we can fix this problem is with our wallets. You won’t see me out there. I urge you not to as well. Stay home this holiday season. Maybe next year you’ll be able to have Thanksgiving with that family member who missed this year.

While I have your attention, when you’re saying grace before dinner, give thanks to truckers. There are millions out on the road who won’t make it home to be with their families because they are busy delivering the goods you need every day. Food, water, medical supplies and gas. They’re on the road away from their families weeks and months at a time to provide for their families and to provide for you as well. So please, take a minute and give thanks to truckers.