Ever since stores started promoting Black Friday sales in the 1980’s, Americans have had a love-hate relationship with the annual sales frenzy. The term “Black Friday” is said to go back to 1960s Philadelphia, when the city’s police force started calling the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” for the horrific traffic jams and overcrowded sidewalks that accompanied the start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers began to realize that they could attract big crowds by discounting prices; thus, Black Friday became the day to shop, even better than those last minute Christmas sales.

For millions of people, Black Friday is a day to complete their Christmas shopping. Opening their doors earlier and earlier each year, Black Friday has crept it’s way into Thanksgiving. A few years ago,Toys R Us opening at midnight stirred controversy, but today, shoppers hardly bat an eye at stores like Target and Walmart who open their doors at 6pm on Thanksgiving. Advertising for this infamous shopping day has also evolved. No more scouring the overstuffed Thanksgiving newspaper for great deals, when there are apps that can find the bargains for you. These apps can compare prices and pick the lowest deal out of all the major stores. Some retailers put their items up for sale on the morning of Thanksgiving or email online specials to consumers days or weeks before the actual event. The most shopped-for items are electronics and popular toys, as these may be the most drastically discounted.

If frenzied crowds and shopping in the wee hours of the night don’t seem very appealing, online Black Friday shopping might be more acceptable. Every year, more and more retailers are bringing their Black Friday sales online in addition to a traditional in-store sale. Online-only retailers like Amazon.com will have deals you won’t see anywhere else, but because they are so easy to purchase (no standing in line!), they sell out very quickly. Be prepared to order as soon as you can to ensure your best odds of getting the deal you want.The term Cyber Monday was coined in 2005 to refer to the first day back at work after the Thanksgiving weekend, when people would continue their shopping online on their office computers. This year, Cyber Monday is on November 30th. Despite the uprising of online shopping and Cyber Monday, it is common for prospective shoppers to camp-out over the Thanksgiving holiday in an effort to secure a place in front of the line and thus a better chance at getting desired items.If one were to walk by Best Buy a week before Thanksgiving, a few tents would already be present, ready to snatch up the deals.

While stores are busy competing with each other over Black Friday sales, a few stores are diverging and taking a stand. T.J Maxx and GameStop have decided to not open on Thanksgiving day. Outdoor gear and sporting goods retailer REI is trying to start a revolution by canceling Black Friday this year. No promotions, no hourly sales, no door-busters, no waiting in line. The co-op business plans to launch a campaign Tuesday encouraging people to forgo shopping to spend time outside instead. With the hashtag #OptOutside, REI will ask people to share what they’re doing on Black Friday on social media. All the employees will get a paid day off. Stores like Target and Walmart responded to this by saying that if they didn’t open on Black Friday, there would be a backlash of angry shoppers.

Whether you will be waiting in a long line, camped out in a tent, shopping online from the comfort of your home, or pretending like Black Friday doesn’t exist, it’s important to slow down and focus on the true holiday, Thanksgiving.