Black Friday is generally considered the official starting bell of the Christmas shopping season. To the more cynical observer, it’s a testament to crass American commercialism and consumer indulgence. In either case, this notorious nationwide day-after-Thanksgiving-sale has been a marketing tradition for decades.
But nowadays there’s a new wrinkle to the holiday shopping frenzy. Black Friday, like so many other sales gimmicks, has made that inevitable leap to commercial cyberspace. Before you get in your car and head for the nearest Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, or whatever department store you frequent, you can save yourself some shoe leather by browsing for bargains online. It’s virtually the new American way.
In case you haven’t yet explored this yourself, just google the phrase “black friday” and you’ll find more deal promotions than a shopaholic on his lunch hour. Of course, you’ll have to wade your way through the numerous sites that all claim to be the “official” Black Friday site. And every retail chain in the universe has their own Black Friday site, each promoting their fantastic holiday deals. There’s even a Black Friday Twitter site.
“Know before you go” is the watchword for today’s internet savvy Christmas shopper. As long as you’re going to brave the winter elements, the traffic, and the savage crowds, you may as well get exactly what you want. As Mark Twain said, “If you can’t get what you like, you have to like what you get.” I’ll bet you couldn’t find three wise men that could have said it better.