American families cherish the tradition of Thanksgiving to spend time with each other. This holiday is now connected to a new tradition: Black Friday.

Black Friday, the term given to the Friday after Thanksgiving, is a day when retailers open their stores early. It is officially the first shopping day of the Christmas season.

The term “Black Friday” references the term “in the black,” a phrase that retailers use indicating that they have made a profit. This one day’s sales can account for up to one-third of a business’ profits for the entire year.

Before Black Friday became popular, Thanksgiving weekend was a relaxing break from work and school. Stores closed on Thanksgiving day and families spent time together reflecting on their blessings. They also prepared for the upcoming holiday season by decorating for Christmas.

This year’s Black Friday was controversial even before the day arrived. Target employees filed a petition to stop Target from opening at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, three hours earlier than years before. Employees were upset that they had to go to work during a time that they should have been at home with their families.

Black Friday, although not a new concept, has escalated in the past decade into a day of greed, impulse and long lines. Store hours have gotten earlier and longer, with some stores opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night and staying open until late the next day.

“I think it’s too early for stores to be open on Thanksgiving night,” eighth grader Miyuu Sakurai said. “Thanksgiving should be a time where you celebrate with your family members and not worry about sales all night.”

Senior Shanelle Sebastian agreed. “Shopping the day of Thanksgiving takes away the purpose of the holiday, which is being with family.”

Consumers enjoy Black Friday because it allows them to buy the best deals of gifts for their loved ones and to get items that they themselves want. They don’t seem to mind the hours or even days of lines outside stores if it means getting an incredible reduction in price.

“I went to Sears at 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving day to wait in line for the sale that was happening at 8 that evening,” college counselor, Randall Fong said. “I was waiting for the vouchers they were giving out for their 50-inch and the 32-inch plasma screen TVs.

“The plan was to have the people that came early sign up on a sheet of paper so that we can be in an organized line when the store handed out the vouchers. The group I was with took the initiative to create the sign-up sheet and place it on the door of the sales. However, when it came time to organize the people in line, the latecomers didn’t want to follow it and tried to cut in line. There was some conflict in the beginning, but the store managers organized everyone according to the list that we created,” said Fong

Although Black Friday is popular across the country, some do not agree or support what the day stands for.

“Black Friday is ridiculous,” sophomore Kira Clarke said. “On Thanksgiving you’re supposed to be grateful for what you have, but the next day you wake up at 3 o’clock to buy pointless things you don’t need.”