Let the games begin. “Black Friday” — The day after Thanksgiving. The starters gun is fired and the feeding frenzy begins. Camping out in front of the store. The frantic race down the aisles to get the big screen TV, Xbox, or other unbelievable bargains only available on this magic day.

I always thought it was strange that the day after we are so thankful for all the things we have in our lives, we go out and go crazy trying to accumulate more. And most of it is for someone else.

Fun Facts About Black Friday

  • The term “Black Friday” is actually a term coined by the Philadelphia Police Department. They referred to it by that name due to the overcrowded streets, sidewalks and stores and the extra problems that came with it.
  • Nearly 135 million people, about 1/3 of the total population shop on Black Friday.
  • Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day of the year. Usually it’s not even in the top five. The most popular shopping day is the Saturday before Christmas.
  • While Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day it still brings in a nice piece of change. In each of the past three years $15-$20 billion dollars passed over the sales counter on the day after Thanksgiving.
  • In 2010, two hundred twelve million shoppers spent $39 billion. That’s $365.34 per shopper.
  • What are the hot sellers? Fifty-nine percent of shoppers are looking for electronic devices, 49 percent want DVD & Blu-Ray, 48 percent shop for clothing, 45 percent are video game fans, and 44 percent are computer shoppers.
  • There are people who have been camping out at a California Best Buy since November 12th.
  • You might do better holding off your shopping till later on in the month of December. The last few days of the shopping season often advertise products 10 to 15 percent cheaper than they do on Black Friday so shop carefully.
  • Black Friday can be dangerous. Jdimytai Damour, a Long Island Walmart employee was trampled to death by shoppers when he opened the doors. Also trampled were the paramedics that came to help. At least five shoppers required hospitalization.

Some Final Thoughts

The wife and I never miss a Black Friday. We rarely go out to buy things we treat it more like we’re spectators at a sporting event. People rushing frantically all around us with overflowing shopping carts, that is if you are lucky enough to find a cart.

Endless lines at the checkout, people fighting over the last of the fantastic sale items, screaming kids, clerks and stockers trying to keep the shelves full like so many Hollanders trying to shore up the leaking holes in a dike. It’s quite an amazing sight to see if you’ve never been in the middle of one of these feeding frenzies you should try it sometime.

So grab the credit cards, some comfortable shoes, and participate in one of the last bastions of true capitalistic traditions on the planet. Shop till you drop. It’s BLACK FRIDAY!!

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